Midday Songs by Lisa Fraser

Listening to the CD I am reminded of Norah Jones - in the way that Lisa sings beautifully without the vocal acrobats found so often today. She just sings. Midday Songs is an upbeat, soothing, quiet ride through emotion. A must-add to your collection."

Girl Posse, October 2003

"Her full-bodied tone surrounds you like a dive into a swimming hole where the water feels thicker than water. "Midday Songs" is accessible, deceptively unique, surprisingly unique, almost completely unique."

Minor 7th - David Kleiner (Jan/Feb 04 Issue)

Rich, sultry, and enticing; three words that characterize the voice of Lisa Fraser, a 24-year-old singer/songwriter destined to turn heads with the release of her elegant debut album, MIDDAY SONGS (Abish Music).

Born in Provo, Utah, Fraser was inspired to create music from an early age. "I remember as a kid telling my mom I was going to be a singer when I grew up," she says. In her teen years she began to sing in various groups and write songs. She's proficient in both guitar and piano. At the age of 19 she gave her first solo public performance, at a Brigham Young University Acoustic Jam. In July 2000, she embarked on a year-and-a-half hiatus from music to volunteer in Alberta for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In early 2002 she returned from the Great White North to rekindle her loyal following in her native Utah and the surrounding region. In summer 2002 she competed in the Salt Lake City Battle of the Bands sponsored by Utah's premier Alternative Rock station, KENZ 107.5. Despite playing without a backing band, Fraser's scintillating solo performance earned 3rd prize out of a whopping 180 bands. Over the next four years Lisa Fraser created a buzz through eagerly attended performances and an 8-song demo CD.

In 2000 Fraser's mature, personal style was quick to catch the attention of Drex Davis (Abish Music). The ensuing collaborative efforts culminated in the release of MIDDAY SONGS in June 2003. The 13-song debut record was recorded and mixed by Mike Coleman, from renowned Orangewood Studios in Mesa, Arizona, and is already garnering exemplary reviews. The song "Mr. Builder" will be featured in the movie "The Work and the Story."

Fraser writes intensely personal lyrics. From the autobiographical tale of her triumph over resistance in "Keep Walkin'," to the ironically personal angst-ridden beauties of "Overloaded" to the bittersweet breakup of "Stepped Out," Fraser reaches out with hope, triumph, deity, identity, family, pain, balance, and integrity. Her guitar tickles and meanders, her voice enthralls. The overarching theme embedded in all her music is that of redemption -- the possibility, and ultimate certainty, of salvation.

While her sound merges folk intimacy, rock hooks, searing vocals, and oh-so-intimate lyrics, she has her own make-you-weep/make-you-cheer songwriting style. Fraser has honed her personal, effervescent vocal style with an eye towards mergeing folk intimacy with the edginess of rock. Her influences are apparent: she carries the stylish intimacy of Eva Cassidy, the melodoc storytelling of Paul Simon, and the sultriness of Norah Jones. Though these disparate touchstones give an indication of Fraser's sources of inspiration and synthesis, all agree that she is wholly unique.

Lisa Fraser exudes a maturity that belies her youth. She's approaching her art with an integrity that she says she has learned from watching and reading about others -- namely Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, and the early Christians and Muslims who were persecuted for their beliefs. "I'm at the point in my life where I'm really impressed by people with integrity, no matter what the religion or cause. Those are the people that flat-out get my respect. Unknown people who dare to stand up for things."

Fraser will be performing throughout the intermountain west region in support of MIDDAY SONGS. She is committed to reach increasingly more discerning listeners who have been waiting for songs like hers to come along. Though her live shows are heavily attended by college-age people and people who enjoy intimate, contemporary folk performances, she appeals to a wide variety of listeners. "My goal now is to keep writing, to get better and better, more clever and inventive musically, and make some really good music." She primarily performs solo, singing her original songs while accompanying herself on guitar.

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