fara palmer

The 2007 NAAA (National Aboriginal Achievement Awards) was taped March 16 in Edmonton. It will be televised saturday on Global and the APTN specialty channel...
"My best memory of that evening was seeing so many people who were friends of mine I hadn't seen in a while," Beach (Adam Beach- Flags of our Fathers actor) said...
His favorite part of the show itself was a contemporary interpretative dance performance with Aboriginal singer Fara Palmer. "I thought it was really beautiful," Beach said. "It just showed that we have a lot of artists --actors, singers, dancers, musicians--who have done a lot with their lives. We just need more of our own people to become more involved and say, "Yes, we can accomplish our dreams in these types of occupations." - The Vancouver Sun 2007

Fara doesn't walk into a room- she makes an entrance. She's late. She rushes into the studio, greeting everyone with a hug and a warm smile, talking a mile a minute. Dressed in a loose fitting cotton dress, her face clean of makeup, Fara's natural beauty is more radiant then even the glamorous black and white photos that complete her promo package.
Fara Jaylene Katcheech Palmer is recording her second CD at Beat Productions in Chilliwack - the follow up to This Is My World. The single "Walk Away" from that CD earned Fara a Juno Nomination in the Best Music of Aboriginal Canada category. Another highlight was presenting Shania Twain her Juno. Since only 10 categories of the awards program are televised, it was considered a sign of acceptance into the Canadian music world.
Although her Cree ancestry qualified her for the category, her music is not what many Canadians have come to expect from aboriginal artists.
Fara's talent allows her the musical freedom to croon slow and sexy in the style of a 40's chantuese, or sing rythym and blues in the genre of Toni Braxton or Whitney Houston.
She plays down the fact she sang for Prince Charles at the recent MuchMusic's Stop Racism concert at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, where she was introduced by Much as "Canada's newest rising star." "I sang for the cause, not the Prince. I couldn't even see him from the stage. I sang for the people," she says matter-of-factly.
With an attitude like that it's no surprise when she mentions she's in the middle of a move to Yale, BC.
"It's no problem living in Yale, and it's closer for working with Chuck. I'll just continue to work on my music from there. It's peaceful."
Chuck Brickley is the song-writer/producer from Hope who is collaborating with her on this second release, along with producer Peter Kigour.
Pretty Brown is (a)..song to be included on the CD. Co-written with Fara and producer Peter Kilgour, they're hoping the message of strength it's meant to bring reaches many children, especially of First Nations.
"I never felt good about my heritage until I met my role model. She changed my life. Now I want to be that role model and show children they can be what they want to be," says Fara.
Mr. Kilgour, the owner of Beat Productions, says his Chilliwack location hasn't slowed him down at all since his move from the city several years ago...Mr.Kilgour says he's working more and more with established artists from the city as the studio's reputation grows but is especially thrilled to be working with the talented Fara.
"Listen to that voice," he says, cranking up the sound system until the room is filled with Fara's voice. "She can do anythings she wants to do. Starting from here." - The Chilliwack Progress May 1998

FARA - This beautiful Canadian songbird of Cree ancestry hails from Saskatchewan and now lives in Vancouver. If you haven't heard her name yet, it is only because she is one of Canada's best kept secrets. She is the winner of two awards at the most recent "Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards" held in Toronto in December 1999. Fara won in the Best Song category for her hit "Walk Away" from the CD titled "This Is My World," and was also awarded the Best Female Artist. In 1998, she was nominated for the highly coveted Juno Award, Canada's version of our Grammy's.
Fara is also being considered as an opening act for the upcoming second annual Native American Music Festival to be held at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minnesota in May 2000.
Fara has come well into her own since singing on the same stage with Buffy St. Marie at the tender age of twelve. I am impressed by her full vocal range and harmonious sound. With a contemporary flair and excellent songwriting ability, Fara has a great future ahead in the music industry.
Her music and songs are a blend of light funk, soft rock, and what i believe to be just the right amount of Native theme. Fara gets my very highest recommendation. Simply a MUST HAVE for all who appreciate great music of stardom quality.
***** 5 STARS!!!! - IKCE WICASTA -The Common People Journal Spring 2000

Henry Young caught his ticket to the big time when Nina Simone visited Vancouver back in the Sixties...his new CD titled Looking Back...works through an hour of music that includes emotive new takes on vintage ballads like...My Funny Valentine, and Body and Soul...
Young's brilliant guest star on the album, Cree vocalist Fara Palmer, takes an already sophisticated production even higher. An electrifying talent, Fara Palmer's pairing with Young on the original "When You're Dancing" is a breathy, body-heat workout with major radio rotation written all over it. Palmer's ablitity to interpret lyrics is just plain dreamy... - Weekend Outlook- Vancouver - June 2000

Fara Palmer, 25, wiping tears from her eyes and cheeks, explains: "This part of the song always touches me. Some of my lyrics speak so directly from my heart I am sensitive to them."
The song "Pretty Brown", to which she weeps, is from her soon-to-be-released second CD. It is a song which shows the deep love of her People.
"People heard it, I hope it entered their hearts too, " she said.
Fara, a Cree from North Battleford, Sask., sang initially at the Toronto International Pow-wow and then during the Variety Show. Her songs carry a message of Native Peoples being strong, beautiful and vulnerable.
Fara moved from North Battleford at age two to Vancouver and then the interior of B.C. where she grew up. She comes from a long line of people with alcohol problems and has chosen not to drink or do drugs. She attended a treatment centre, was introduced to sweats, and started to learn about the culture, history and ceremonies. This meant she had to deal with issues of hurt, pain, and things just from living on a reserve.
"As I grew up it wasn't cool to get in touch with feelings or to cry. Anger and laughing was OK," she said.
She began singing as soon as she could talk, singing with TV commercials and in talent shows. In Grade 10, she took six months of voice training. She has also taken six lessons with a jazz teacher.
Her professional life began four years ago, and has been developing well.
She believes she is where she is now because this is where the Creator intends her to be. When she performs she lets her words and feelings be guided by the Creator. She wants to be the instrument to convey what He wants. Fara writes her own songs and lyrics based on many of her experiences and her desire to make others feel better about their lives. She also uses her spirituality in speaking engagements at high schools, treatment centres and lifeskills programs.
Her message to aspiring singers and songwriters is also a message to anyone: "If that's what truly inspires you, that's what brings you joy and is in your heart, never give up. Believe in yourself. You have to work hard. It doesn't land in your lap. If it does, you're extremely blessed and hopefully you recongnize that and use your gifts well."
Fara is riding the wave of her debut album released in 1997. "This Is My World", easily competes with the contemporary rhythms and lyrics of any play list on Top 40 radio stations.
There's a little Mariah Carey, some Gloria Estefan, a little bit of Janet Jackson...in...her songs.
The CD is a great listen, sounding like you've heard it before the first time you put it on. - Alberta Sweetgrass -February 1998

The Cree bombshell, Fara Jaylene Katcheech Palmer is slowly moving her way to the top of the Canadian music charts.
Her music is a mix if R&B, soul and hip-hop sounds...Her Native influence embellishes contemporary pop music. "What emerges is a powerful, independent voice with an aura of positiveness that fairly evokes a world of heartfelt soul and glossy, adult contemporary pop music," as described by RPM magazine.
Miss Palmer was born in Saskatchewan and grew up in Vancouver Canada. She is leading the increasing number of rising contemporary American Indian musicians..."I always knew I wanted to sing from the earliest days," Miss Palmer said.
She has also sung with Susan Aglukark, Shingoose, Willy Dunn, and others for the Children of the World, recording and video project created to instill aboriginal pride among Native youth.
Stirring excitement within the American Indian community, she was discovered by John Kim Bell, former Toronto Symphony Orchestra conductor and president of the Canadian Native Arts Foundation.
Mr. Bell had her sing her song "Walk Away" as the opening for the 1995 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards ceremony. She sang for Prince Charles at the MuchMusic's Stop Racism concert at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre...
Her debut album "This Is My World" was recorded in 1996. The single from that album "Walk Away" was nominated for a Juno in the Best Music of Aboriginal Canada category...She is currently working on her second album... - Indian Country Today - Arts & Entertainment 1998

Fara Jaylene Katcheech Palmer is cold and tired. She yawns and shivers in the Roosevelt school gym, waiting for the kids to come.
It's been a long day for the Cree singer. She has been through an 8 a.m. interview with CBC, an hour-long session at Seal Cove School, another hour at Kaien Island Alternative School, and now she's at Roosevelt for the afternoon and the Daily News is asking her questions. Her Monday schedule follows a performance to a jam-packed Performing Arts Centre on Sunday night.
Despite her fatigue, Fara smiles and answers the questions politely...
"Ever since I could talk," she says, "I've wanted to be a singer."
And, over the years, Fara's performance career has seen her pursue that goal with a singular focus. She sang on the same stage as Buffy St. Marie, alongside Susan Aglukark, Shingoose, and Willy Dunn, among others.
Since then, everything has been fast and furious in Fara's career.
She opened the 1995 Aboriginal Achievement Awards in Vancouver with her song Walk Away. She later sang the song in a national broadcast on Canada Day.
Her CD This Is My World was recorded in 1996 and she has been touring steadily throughout Canada since its release. - The Daily News, Prince Rupert, B.C. 1998

FARA
This Is My World
Blackmoon Records

A long standing contributing voice to the arts community in Canada, Fara Jaylene Katcheech Palmer is just now letting her solo talents be heard and recognised. At age (twelve) she found herself sharing a stage with Buffy St. Marie, a performance which opened up the door to subsequent vocal stints with Susan Aglukark, Shingoose and Willy Dunn. Consequently, the singer's obvious gift has been readily recognised by the Canadian Native Arts Foundation and by more of Canada's top recording artists, after her voice was solicited to appear on the David Foster song River of Love alongside Dan Hill, Amy Sky and Roch Voisine. It is not surprising that the Vancouver born singer of Cree Native Indian heritage traces her musical influences to names like Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Billy Holiday, and Dinah Washington...This is my World is the aptly titles album that concentrates Fara's musical interests into a succinct twelve song list embellished by spanish, dance and native flourishes within the contemporary pop songwriting that is her mainstay. A graceful and artistically exceptional album that we expect will place Fara within the orbit of some of those names she performed with. - RPM September 1997

2000 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award
winner:
Female Artist of the Year

2000 Juno Award nominee:
Best Music of Aboriginal Canada
recording "Prettybrown" from the
album Prettybrown

1999 West Coast Music Award nominee:
Best House/Dance/Techno Release
Fara, ANGEL

1999 Canadian Aboriginal Music Award
winner:
Female Artist of the Year
Best Song of the Year

1999 First Nations Awards winner:
Arts & Entertainment category

1998 Juno Award nominee:
Best Music of Aboriginal Canada
recording "Walk Away" from the
album "This Is My World"

1997 John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner:
8th place, R&B category- for the
song "I'll make it up to you"


- Music Industry Sources

Music in the Park features many amazing and talented artists, and Fara Palmer is no exception. The local songstress has always been interested in singing. Like most children, when Palmer was young she picked the career she felt would be most exciting. But unlike those whose minds and dreams change, Palmer stuck to it and continued with her singing. Of Cree/Saulteaux descent, born and raised in Kamloops, Palmer’s music is Canadian through and through — just like her. After Palmer graduated from high school, she was accepted into a prestigious conservatory program in Toronto on scholarship. Modestly, she joined cover band Contagious and toured for the first year of her career, singing someone else’s songs. Palmer returned to school for a while and released her debut original album, This Is My World. Soon after followed her second album, Prettybrown. Both were successful and were nominated for Juno awards in 2000. That same year, Palmer was named Best Female Artist by the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards. On a roll and blasting through her career, it’s no surprise Palmer was being scouted by a record company hoping to sign her.
However, she had been spending time with her pregnant sister, and Palmer’s direction began to shift. She turned down a record deal and did things her own way. Palmer took six years off to have her four daughters, ranging in age from six months to five years. Now ready to return to music, Palmer recently released her third album, Phoenix. Based on her personal experiences, Phoenix is dedicated to her brother, who was murdered in 2002. Her songs are full of emotion. “It’s meant to get a reaction out of you,” said Palmer. “Whether you laugh, rage out or rock, you’re not supposed to sit there just passively listening to the music . . . and so far that’s what it’s being doing for people.” Palmer’s voice is both soothing and energizing. She describes her sound as pop music with an eclectic sound. Based in pop, it branches out to rock, folk, R&B and dance. “It’s a bit of everything,” said Palmer. “Songs that are really going to make you laugh, some that might make you cry and some that might make you feel good. “It’s something that’s for everybody — regardless of skin colour or age.” Her voice is accompanied by a guitar, bass and piano.
For the time being, Palmer’s doing things on her own with hired professionals, but plans to start her own band. An engaging, friendly and energetic person — Phoenix reflects Palmer’s personality. The songs are a range of styles, sounds and rhythms, but all are tied together with her captivating voice. Palmer will be performing at Music in the Park on July 8.

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http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals-code/list.cgi?cat=44&paper=15&id=1019640 - Kamloops This Week: Laurel Smith July 2007