Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Kaya Fraser has been garnering accolades and radio play and it's easy to tell why. Her brand of intelligent pop--combining razor-sharp lyrics with seriously catchy tunes--is all too rare. Then there's her voice: warm, yet wistful, natural, yet incredibly polished. All in all, she's a contender for the ranks of legendary artists like Aimee Mann and Joni Mitchell.
As of the daughter of Canadian songwriter Allan Fraser (of the critically acclaimed 70s folk duo, Fraser & DeBolt), Kaya clearly has music in her blood. Her independently released debut EP, Tremor and Slip, startled critics with a level of sophistication rare in a first effort. The Montreal Gazette, in a four-star review, said this: "Fraser's independently released seven-song EP Tremor and Slip is shockingly good. Her voice is intimate, arresting and mature; the songs are moving; and production is polished enough to sound professional without sacrificing authenticity." And that is only one of a series of unanimous reviews, all hailing Kaya as a new musical talent on the rise.
But critics weren't the only ones listening: Tremor and Slip reached number 3 on the iTunes charts in France in May 2008, after being featured on the homepage of the Paris-based music site Deezer.com. Her website hits skyrocketed, bloggers around the world began posting raves about her music--sometimes even transcribing and translating her lyrics. Her local and international fanbases continue to grow, mostly (as with other self-managed, indie artists) through word of mouth.
After two busy years of performing in various cities across Canada and the US, Kaya is currently assembling the original material for her first full-length recording, Open Horizon. Kim Deschamps, Austin-based producer and renowned supporting musician for Blue Rodeo, The Cowboy Junkies and others, heard Kaya's debut EP and, impressed, offered to produce her next release. Kaya enthusiastically accepted, and plans are now taking shape to record the album in Victoria, B.C. in 2009.
Kaya's wry-yet-romantic songs about sober self-scrutiny and love-gone-not-quite-right will speak to anyone who ever stayed up late listening to music so sad it makes you feel good. As Ron Sexsmith put it: "Kaya Fraser has a lovely voice and a natural songwriting ability." Listen for yourself to hear what that combination can do.
ABOUT "TREMOR AND SLIP" (2007)
"Tremor and Slip is Kaya Fraser's debut recording. Return to that sentence after you've listened to the CD (and you must listen to the CD) and read it again until it sinks in." -Bess Hamilton, ARTSCAPE MAGAZINE
"Fraser's voice is warm and engaging, displaying the sexiness of Carlene Carter with a bit of the world weariness of Lucinda Williams in her delivery. The songs are killer ... Fraser is an exciting new voice that deserves a listen." -Dave Clarke, SCENE
"It's a lovely piece of work, beautifully recorded at Hyde Park's Willyboy Studios [in London, Ontario]." -John Sharpe, SCENE
"This London, Ont., based artist distinguishes herself from the school of singer-songwriters matriculated by Joni Mitchell with jazz-inflected phrasing that allows her to navigate this waltz-time rumination with admirable agility." -John Sakamoto, THE TORONTO STAR
"Tremor and Slip stops at seven songs so she calls it an EP. Maybe that is one reason it sounds so rounded & realized. No songs and moments she wasn't absolutely sure about." -James Reaney, THE LONDON FREE PRESS
"Here's a great example of a diamond in the rough, and not so rough at that. ... [Fraser's] voice is mature and seductive, and these rootsy gems are yearning to be heard. Elements of country, soul, and sultry acoustic pop are combined with sophistication and polish. Fraser's moving songs don't really need anything more, except to be discovered. [Four stars]" -T'Cha Dunlevy, THE MONTREAL GAZETTE
"Fraser applies her love of language to intelligent folk-pop which she expresses through sultry vocals that bring to mind Leslie Feist." -Robert Reid, THE RECORD
"Fraser's independently released seven-song EP Tremor and Slip is shockingly good. Her voice is intimate, arresting and mature; the songs are moving; and production is polished enough to sound professional without sacrificing authenticity. For quick reference, think Joni Mitchell or Sarah McLachlan. At such an early stage in her career, Fraser has the potential to one day hover in their midst." -T'Cha Dunlevy, THE MONTREAL GAZETTE
