Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Davidson Fraser ( born August 29, 1963 in Grangemouth ) is a Scottish singer. Notoriety she gained primarily as a singer of Scottish dream pop band Cocteau Twins. Since its dissolution in 1998, she pursued their own solo projects and participates in projects of other musicians.
Biography
Cocteau Twins
At the age of 17 years, Fraser founded in 1981 in her hometown of Grangemouth, together with Robin Guthrie and Will Heggie the band Cocteau Twins. Guthrie and Heggie became aware of Fraser, as they had seen this one night dancing in a club. Although at this time Fraser had no singing ambitions, she joined the two.
After a short time she got out of the newly formed band, because they are not yet ready to felt, but returned six months later back because she had begun a relationship with Guthrie. Then the three went to London, where they were supported by the famous DJ John Peel, and began first record demo tapes. Soon the young independent label 4AD was aware of the band, took them under contract and published in 1982 her debut album Garlands.
The Cocteau Twins were able to establish themselves in the episode alongside bands such as My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain as a pioneer of the shoegazing movement. Caused a stir especially Fraser's distinctive singing style, the bonds from the Gaelic chant Puirt a bulge and the glossolalia takes and usually is difficult understandable and interpretable, which has led to long-lasting debates about the meaning of the song lyrics.
End of the 1980s became Fraser's long -standing relationship with Guthrie in the difficulties and both were visibly foreign, which led to tensions within the band. This also did not improve after the birth of their daughter in 1989., The situation still was additionally by Guthrie's ongoing drug and alcohol addiction, the Fraser plunged into misery and eventually led during the recording of the album Four -Calendar Café for nervous breakdown, as a result they had to go into psychotherapy and parted from Guthrie. Reluctantly Fraser remained for some time in the band and began during which a brief but intense relationship with the U.S. musician Jeff Buckley, which lasted until shortly before his death in May 1997.
Solo activities
After the dissolution of the Cocteau Twins In 1998, Fraser continued their singing engagement and collaborated with renowned musicians such as Craig Armstrong, Massive Attack, Peter Gabriel or Yann Tiersen. She also worked on the soundtrack of many films, including Beyond the dreams, Cruel Intentions, and the first two parts of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
Although Fraser participated in numerous projects of other musicians, but their own solo releases are so far scarce. So was published in 2000, the limited edition of 200 pieces white label release Underwater, which contained several trance remixes of the title song. The publication of an announced for the 2007 solo album never materialized. The end of 2009 solo single Moses that Fraser had taken some time ago, together with her partner Damon Reece and his friend, the musician Jake Drake - Brockman appeared.
Others
Elizabeth Fraser lives with her partner Damon Reece (former drummer with Massive Attack, Spiritualized and Lupine Howl ) in Bristol. She has two daughters; one comes from their relationship with Reece, the other from her previous relationship with Robin Guthrie.
Her vocal influences and role models Fraser include, inter alia Tim Buckley, Kate Bush, Judy Henske, Billie Holiday, Esther Ofarim, Edith Piaf, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra and Mystère des Voix Bulgares.