Hi, everyone,

Thought I would just check in to let you all know I'm still alive here in balmy Victoria, BC. A grey and rainy day on the island, today is the six month anniversary of my mother's death. Although there is still a conspicuous, painful void in my life where she used to be, things are starting to move in a forward direction again. I recorded a couple of new songs last night at a friend's house--the first new material in a long time. It was so, so good to do that; it reminded me how much I love, well, writing songs and playing them. Who knew. I am extremely grateful to Carl and Dave for the opportunity to get some new music on virtual tape.

Before you ask to hear them, I'll say that the tunes are still a bit too green to share on a large scale, but I'm working with a new little performance band, and we may debut them soon. Ah yes, the band. I have collected some very nice lads from the Victoria area who have kindly offered their talent and enthusiasm for an open-ended project with me. Not sure where it's leading just yet. At least some local shows in the middle-near future. Possibly some short-distance touring (such as going "overseas" to Vancouver). Keep an eye open for live dates to be posted. No name as yet. Sonic Death Monkey not ruled out.

But seriously. I had sort of forgotten, since it had been so long since I last wrote a new song, the feeling of grateful humility that writing instills in me. It may sound trite, but it honestly makes me feel indebted to a higher power when I am able to make something new that reaches toward beauty. That is one half of this whole pursuit. Your listening to it is the other half. Thank you for doing your part; I promise I will try to do mine.

Love,

Kaya

Dear friends and listeners,

This is just to let you know that I'll be taking a time-out from musical things for a little while, as I try to absorb the sudden death of my beautiful, talented mother, Donna Louthood. If you think I can sing, you should have heard her. 

I may still do the show scheduled for Sept 26 in Victoria at the Well, with Gabrielle Papillon and Kim Wempe. Other than that, however, I'm going to have to cancel some shows and pull back for a while, just to recover from this shock and support my family.

Not forever, though. Stay tuned for new projects and live dates. As my Mum would always wisely say, life goes on.

Much love,

Kaya

PS: Please call your mum and tell her you love her.

Hey guys,

Just a quick note to say hi. I'm in Halifax right now. Somewhat sadly, I'm not here for musical reasons--but very happily, they are reasons to do with a new baby about to join the family. My sister is due, well (checking watch) any minute now. So I'm here for moral support and to help celebrate the big birthday when it comes. I have learned a whole lot about the human reproductive system in the last little while. I will refrain from sharing that knowledge here; all I can say is, it's pretty effing amazing. If you get a chance to share this experience with someone, TAKE IT.

Anyway, as you can see, I have a few shows coming up around BC. This is good, and I hope to see some of you, dear readers, at these events. I'm very hopeful that just playing live a little more often will help unstick the writer's block I have been experiencing. 

I also think buying a new guitar might help. But my bank account would probably disagree.

Okay, back to family time. I'll check in again soon.

Bi-coastally yours,

Kaya

Hey, I have a few gigs coming up! You can see them in the new gig widget here on my website. Still playing with how things look but at least the info is here now. So is some music for you to listen to. 

More bloggage to come, I promise. 

Love,

Kaya

PS: NXNE was super fun. Many, many thanks (belatedly) to all who came out!

Just a little update about my North by Northeast appearances next weekend.

I have two sets, both on Saturday June 18.

Set one: 11:30 am at Harbour Square Parklands. This one is outdoors, free, and all ages. Did I mention free? I'll be playing solo for this one.

Set two: 9 pm at Czehoski, 678 Queen St. W. This one is indoors, and it costs $10 at the door if you don't have a wristband. I'll be backed up by Jonathan Davis on drums and Chris Ingram on upright bass.

Hope you can make it!

Remember, until my website is fixed, music samples are on my EPK: http://www.sonicbids.com/kayafraser

xo K.

Just a reminder that the music player is still under construction on this site, but you are welcome to listen to me on my e-presskit:

http://www.sonicbids.com/kayafraser

Sorry about that! Fix to come soon!

Love,

Kaya

Hey friends,

Happy news: I've been invited to play North by North East in Toronto next month! Here's the skinny:

• Saturday, June 18th
• 9 PM
• Czehoski
• 678 Queen St. W.

Admission: 1-day festival wristband is $25. More info at http://www.nxne.com

Come one, come all! It's been a long time since I've played in Ontario, so I'm really hoping to see a lot of familiar faces. My much-missed bandmates from London, ON will also be joining me for this one.

See you in T.O.!

Love,

Kaya

I'm having some trouble with the music player on this site, and it doesn't have samples of my most recent work. I'm working on getting this fixed. Please accept my apologies and, if you want to, check out these other places to hear me:

http://www.myspace.com/kayafraser

http://www.sonicbids.com/kayafraser

Love,

Kaya

Hi everyone,

It's certainly been a while, but I'm still here, I swear. I've been taking musical things more slowly lately, due to the pressures of everyday life, working, and several other unromantic things. But slowly, the artist in me is waking up from her hibernation. Yawning. Blinking at the light. Stretching her limbs. Etc.

Open Horizon is out there now, available on iTunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/open-horizon/id389039241

...and on CD through my manufacturer, Indie Pool:

http://indiepool.com/estorelayout1.asp?n=51473

(You can also get my first record in both places, too, of course.)

I have a couple of upcoming shows, with Ambre McLean and Gabrielle Papillon, in Duncan BC and Victoria BC, April 8 and 9 respectively. I'll paste the info below. Oh, and if you want more frequent updates on what I'm up to, feel free to follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter.

A deep thank you to all who have expressed their support, even though I've been quiet lately. You give me courage to keep doing this, in whatever fashion I can.

With much springtime love,

Kaya

Friday April 8: Duncan BC @ Duncan Garage Showroom
201-330 Duncan St
8 PM $12 advance / $15 door

Saturday April 9: Victoria BC @ Moka House on Hillside
103-1633 Hillside Ave
7:30 PM $10 door

www.kayafraser.com
www.ambremclean.com
www.gabriellepapillon.com

Hey look! It's a review of my almost-released new record, thanks to the lovely Rachel Sanders at Exclaim.ca!

(More news--such as how to get a hold of this baby for yourself--to follow soon!)

Kaya Fraser
Open Horizon
By Rachel Sanders

With jazzy interludes and melt-in-her-mouth vocals, Kaya Fraser's first full-length release is a journey of considerable emotional range. Daughter to Canadian songwriter Allan Fraser (of '70s psych folk duo Fraser and DeBolt), the Victoria, BC-based musician has built upon the foundations she laid with her 2007 EP, the elegant Tremor and Slip. With Open Horizon, she offers a diverse collection of songs that explore passion of every variety, from the blissfully upbeat "Good To Be Home" to the achingly brief and emotionally wrenching "A Hundred Days." Other highlights include the banjo-licked "Made To Mend" and the brooding, Al Purdy-inspired "Cariboo Horses," which highlights Fraser's rich voice and her ability to create vivid moods within her songs. Produced by one-time Blue Rodeo guitarist Kim Deschamps (who also contributes pedal steel, dobro and banjo), the album flirts with soul and blues, jazz and country, but ultimately, hangs together as a beautifully cohesive and promising debut. (Independent)