Zad-ra-vec
sounds like it looks
“Sometimes they sneak up on you…. the great ones. So subtle, so graceful – no big notes, no overwrought star search theatrics, just pure, unaffected performance beauty.”
On August 30, 2018, Shaye Zadravec, a 25 year old musician from Calgary, Alberta, released a black and white video of her studio performance of the song “Lilac Wine”. The song, written in 1950 by James Shelton, had been recorded by many, including Nina Simone (1954), Elkie Brooks (1981), Jeff Buckley (1994), and Jeff Beck (2010). The video for this beautiful song resonated with people around the world. Tens of thousands of people reacted to the simplicity of the video presentation and the beauty of Shaye’s honest and understated vocal performance.
Shaye is a singer, a sometimes songwriter, but a full time singer, and an exceptional one – a throwback to the era when great singers lent their voices to the best material and built their careers on the backs of these great songs. To see and hear Shaye Zadravec in concert is (as one noted radio personality commented) “like listening to the greatest radio show you ever heard”. Her repertoire is familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, including songs written by Bobby Darin, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Lynn Miles, Willie Dixon, Shelby Lynne, Gus Kahn, Chip Taylor and Doc Pomus, just to name a few. She sings with an ease and comfort that washes over the listener…. so subtle, so graceful – no big notes, no overwrought star search theatrics, just pure, unaffected performance beauty.
Shaye Zadravec’s EP, “Norway”, was released in September, 2018, with contributions and support from notables including Hall of Fame songwriter Chip Taylor, Norwegian producer / musician Goran Grini, and the who’s who of her local scene. It was recorded partly in Calgary, Alberta and partly in Skien, Norway. While Shaye has been gaining notoriety in the Calgary music scene for the past few years, the success of “Lilac Wine” and “Dear Elvis” (another video performance of a song from the EP) thrust her into the national and international spotlight.
In November, 2019, Shaye entered the studio with Hall of Fame Songwriter Ian Tyson and together they recorded one of Ian’s songs called “Silver Bell”. The song is a Christmas song, but more so a rodeo song with a Christmas twist and not that far removed from Tyson’s classic “Someday Soon”.
January of 2020 found Zadravec holed up in OCL Studios (just east of Calgary) with a band comprised of Western Canada’s top musicians. Russell Broom – guitars (Jann Arden). Mike Lent – bass (Jann Arden, kd lang), Tim Leacock – guitars (Beautiful Joe, The Burners), and Chris “The Wrist” Nordquist – drums (Colin Linden, Colin James). Adding to the mix, Goran Grini was brought in from Norway to play keyboards and produce the sessions. Shaye was introduced to Grini through their mutual friend, Hall of Fame Songwriter Chip Taylor.
The 5 day sessions delivered 8 songs… songs by Jesse Winchester, Lynn Miles, Paul Westerberg, Pat McLaughlin, Joan Besen, Ian Tyson, Roy Forbes and Jay Farrar made the cut and these songs have provided Shaye with a sophomore album of substantial beauty. A record both fragile and muscular and rich in textures. A brilliant collection of material sung by one of the purest voices of this generation.
Shaye Zadravec spent many hours on the stages across Western Canada in 2019. She opened shows for William Prince, Dan Mangan, David Francey, Chip Taylor, and pop opera sensations Il Divo, who invited Shaye to open their Western Canadian tour of soft seat theatres. The Il Divo tour put Shaye in front of more than 10,000 people. She was also a part of the Calgary Folk Festival’s Winter festival “Block Heater”.
**As a side note, Shaye shares a birthday with her favorite singer – Harry Nilsson.
For information contact:
Neil MacGonigill
Indelible Music
neil@indeliblemusic.com
403 875 8037 / 403 245 0425
See below for comments and reaction to the video performance of Lilac Wine
“Be still my beating heart!”
“Amazing…. Super sweet and heady”
“Should be followed by thunderous applause”
“Made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Wonderful!”
“My God. This is extraordinary.”
“…this is all this sweet young lady was put on earth to do… just beautiful!”
“Wow.. I was taken back in time! I believe every word she sings.”
“Beautiful! A few great women musicians come to mind: Joni Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, Karla Bonoff, Rickie Lee Jones… there’s a simplicity and complexity at the same time. Thanks for introducing me to her – I’ve never heard her before.”
“Beautiful, restrained. Completely understands how to use her voice in a way that embraces space. This lady is a Star.”