Back in 2006 when Frazey Ford was a member of The Be Good Tanyas, a folk music group out of Vancouver, an online reviewer noted her voice was “curiously breathy and intimate, and creates an immediate connection with the audience.”
Now enjoying a solo career with the release of her third album, U kin B the Sun, Ford has undergone a transformation as both a woman and a singer. But those breathy vocals continue to inspire and attract listener acclaim.
In chatting with Ford while she was vacationing on Gabriola Island, the Gazette learned the singer-songwriter did not expect the international success U kin B the Sun generated.
“I never expect success. I’ve always worked hard and have no idea how it will be received. But it was a lovely surprise,” said Ford. “I was playing in bands 10 years before I made a living as an artist. I didn’t know it was possible. So, when I was with the Tanyas and I could earn a living singing, it was a total surprise.”
U kin B the Sun comes after Indian Ocean (2014), a Memphis recording tinged with southern soul and Obidiah (2010), a debut soul album. Certain online commentary suggests U kin B the Sun is darker and angrier than the first two.
Ford, after all, is a politically astute singer-songwriter and supports social change and strong climate change policies.
“It’s not a darker album. It’s more raw. It’s a different energy. My musicians and I came together and recorded while improvising. I also wrote the third album at a time when there were two major family deaths in my family back-to-back. The general theme was more about a lifelong healing process.”
Since the birth of her son in 2010, Ford has peeled back the “onion layers of self-discovery, maturity, clarity and self-awareness. As a woman, I feel more empowered.”
The 11-track album, a mashup of soul, psychedelia and funk, opens with Azad, a soulful offering of memories living in a commune in Ootischenia, Canada. Let’s Start Again is a ballad that reflects on the end of a relationship. Holdin’ It Down delivers a funky groove while U and Me is a breakup song that brings back Ford’s country roots.
Fans have the opportunity to hear Ford play live with her band at the Arden Theatre on Friday, Sept. 6 . Her longtime support band includes Caroline Ballhorn (vocals), John Raham (drums), James Meagor (bass) and Gavin Youngash (guitar).
Opening for Ford is special guest singer-songwriter Sammy Volkov. The Edmonton artist’s album, Be Alright, was the first to debut at No. 1 on the CKUA Top 30 Chart.
A man out of his time, the 32-year-old artist has always been attracted to '60s girl groups such as The Shirelles and the Motown sound. Ella Fitzgerald’s golden jazz standards and Bing Crosby’s cool 1930’s jazz songs have also largely appealed to him.
“Be Alright was an eclectic album. Musically it sounded like the power pop '60s. It was my attempt at jazz standards,” said Volkov.
His last project, The Day Had to Come, is a series of country duets with Dana Wylie. During COVID, Wylie had a few country songs lying around that didn’t fit into her folk ventures. Volkov was also developing an interest in country music, and their CD grew from there.
“We tried to do a sampling of country songs from different eras. There’s a couple of tracks inspired by the Carter family to more contemporary country.”
Volkov’s newest project still in development is another solo titled Songs from the Goodbye Garden. It is due for release in the spring of 2025. Recorded at Riverdale Recorders, it projects indie rock influences and baroque folk.
“It has sensitive ballads and it’s very soulful and upbeat.”
Volkov will perform a 30-minute set with about seven songs.
“It’s going to be a beautiful night at the Arden. Frazey is a legend and a powerful singer. I admire her immensely — the honesty, the vulnerability all paired with real strong songs. I love that about her.”
