FERA

In a recent event covered by FAME that was featuring one of FAME's Emerging Talents from 2011, Cindy Lou, we discovered another emerging talent almost by complete accident. In anticipation for the opening act by a local country duo, Robyn and Ryleigh, whom we were actually there to check out, we found out that one of the members was too ill to make the show. Instead, we got a different duo who also happened to be of local descent in Fera. From their opening song, Tornado, they had the room in the palm of their hands.

Fera are twin sisters Stefanie and Courntey Fera from Vancouver. Their country-pop sound is not one that has not been heard before, but it's their lyrical prowess and ability to tell a great story that sets them apart from most country artists today and puts the quality of their music right alongside the likes of Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum.

They have actually been making music for the better part of the last ten years, and have released three albums already - The Music Room (2005), Familiar Feeling (2007), and Fera (2009). With graduating albums came an ever evolving deepness in their subject matter. From songs about high school to failed relationships and lost love, the twins' life journey of the last decade can be candidly documented in their previously recorded songs.

With this amount of material already out there, and having played at several music conferences in British Columbia, it is quite astonishing how they have not made their way into the mainstream Canadian music scene yet. But all this can change this year as they're planning the release of a new album and a documentary - an up-close and in-depth look at the journey and struggle of the twins to make a name for themselves in this cut-throat music industry. The documentary is set to be released next month with a release party to be held at a currently undisclosed location. You can also see the video to their latest single Stardust on Youtube. FAME believes this could be the big year that Fera has been due for for such a long time now. With an energy that moves in their music, and a seductive draw in their lyrics, this Emerging Talent is bound to make waves in 2012. - FAME (Fashion. Art. Music. Entertainment) by Will Shung

Fera, a Coquitlam, BC-based sister duo (Courtney & Stephanie Fera), is like having two "Taylor Swifts" rolled up into one. While this album is country/pop affair, there's a bite to the music that gives it an edge above most in the genre. All of the songs here are co-written by the two sisters (two with band-mate Matt Rose), an asset that is matched by their vocal strength.
The album's lead single, 'Dark, Dirty, Dusty Hallways', is generating national attention. It's also the most "country" item on the album, and comes complete with twangy guitar riff that is particularly effective.
Several other tunes draw similar interest. 'Enchanted' is a funky/country ditty, while the album's opening three cuts, 'It's Gonna Be OK', 'Let It All Go' and 'Fairytales', all have an energetic bounce that creates plenty of ear attention. Listen also for a change-of-pace in the bluesy 'Girl Who Knows Your Name', and a soft touch on 'Sad Suits Me'.
The only item here that makes you shudder a little bit is a song called 'Regret Everything'. It's actually a pretty solid piece of writing by the girls, as they revisit a 'Goodbye Earl' scenario...however the hard drinking and boozing that they sing about is not in keeping with their youthful image...and not a good message to be delivering to what will likely be a fast-growing young audience.
The album was produced at Vancouver's Armoury Studios by Tom McKillip, and features many of the top session players from West Coast country.

For info/copies visit:
www.feramusic.com

- Country Music News

There is a hot new country duo on the music scene and their particular brand of boots, horses and whisky is upbeat, infectious, and definitely colors outside the lines. Identical twin sisters Stephanie and Courtney Fera, who recently recorded their first album Familiar Feeling, and who perform simply as Fera, lit up a club in Vancouver Canada on March 26th, before a full house, as they opened up their set with, “Enchanted,” the fourth track from their CD. “Enchanted,” an original tune that talks about being consumed by love.



Pumped by their showcase performance during Canadian Country Music Week, a few months ago, and encouraged by the recent signing of a publishing deal for one of their songs, “Fairytales,” Fera performed with passion, engaged their audience easily, and infused their music with plenty of energy.



“Fairytales,” has hit song written all over hit and affords Stephanie and Courtney Fera the opportunity to demonstrate their fabulous two part vocal harmonies. Fera packs a lot of emotion into the lines, “And he’s a heartbreaker / He doesn’t even know he breaks me,” as they accompanied themselves on acoustic guitars.



Fera, backed by Matt Rose (electric guitar), keyboardist Dave Young, and electric upright bass player Mike Young, all three of whom are members of the roots rock group The Matinee, really hit their stride with another original song from, Familiar Feeling, this time, “It’s Gonna Be OK,” the first track on the record. The song is another relationship song, but then as Paula Nelson (daughter to Willie) likes to say, ‘If it wasn’t for relationships, I wouldn’t have any songs,’ and what seems to give Fera the ability to deliver an emotionally charged performance, is the deep connection that they have with their music.



Throughout many of Fera’s songs Courtney and Stephanie would switch off the lead vocals as they alternated verses, while the other one sung backup and then they would harmonize on the chorus. The duo adopted this approach, as they covered the heartbreaking Patty Griffin ballad, “Sweet Lorraine,” which follows the life of an abused girl who grows into an emotionally abused woman.



Courtney and Stephanie Fera brought down the house with a cover of the Everly Brothers, “Bye Bye Love,” and the party was on, as the fans responded to Fera’s high energy performance, splendid guitar picking, and unblemished harmonies. The more their fans got into the music the more inspired Courtney and Stephanie Fera seemed to become, and they got stronger as their set wore on.



Self confessed fans of Hanson, Fera demonstrated that they are far more than country music singers and songwriters, as they served up a soulful rendition of Hanson’s, “Been There Before,” once again to the raucous cheering of their audience. One Thursday a month Vancouver’s intimate Cellar Restaurant and Jazz Club, gives way to an eclectic group of musicians, singers and songwriters, and this was Fera’s turn to shine, and they shone brightly, playing the club, as though they were on a much larger stage, before a vast audience, in a major stadium.



Fera finished their tidy eleven song set with another original tune, “Tornado,” again drawn from a real life experience, this time inspired by a dream. Stephanie sang the opening lines.



Fera have a bright future ahead of them, they possess splendid vocals, have already demonstrated their ability to pen good songs, and have a repertoire that will only get deeper, as they mature as artists and simply experience more in life. They are solid musicians, and they seduce their audiences with an unpretentious charm that will endear them to American audiences, especially in the south. Watch for Fera, because soon their songs should be playing in your MP3 players, on your country music radio stations and on your computers. They are the real deal.



Watch for our exclusive interview with Fera in our May edition of Riveting Riffs Magazine.

- Riveting Riffs Magazine