Fiona Lee Maynard
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Fiona Lee Maynard

Band Rock Singer/Songwriter

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"Choking Me - single review"

"Choking Me is a shock of raucaus energy! In Vivo continues to improve...Fiona Lee Maynard's voice is not only fab but utterly singular - no one sounds like her."
Mikey Simmons - Mikey Simmons (LA Weekly)


"Live Review - Sydney Show"

"...the music soars right along with Ms Maynard's heart and soul performance, backed up by some pretty impressive lungpower - a diamond hard, almost frenzied variety of power pop which finds great favour with this punter." - www.194bar.com/gigreviews


"Choking Me - single Review"

Fiona Lee Maynard sure has a set of pipes, don't she? The dark power of Patti Smith and the frank attitude of Chrissie Amphlett are among the many things that make her powerful vibrato what it is. Here that voice stamps it's charm and authority over unaffectedly raw rock tones."
- Martin Jones - In Press (Melbourne)


"Punks Like You Are A Dime A Dozen - Album Of The Week Review"

In Vivo feature singer and bass player Fiona Lee Maynard and guitarist James Lomas, both former members of defunct Melbourne band Have A Nice Day, who enjoyed a successful career from 1989 - 94. Fiona and JAmes are joined by former Bored! and Magic Dirt legend DAve Thomas and by drummer Kris Harris. The band's excellent new CD Punks LIke You Are A Dime A Dozen is a great listen. You will be immediately hooked by the catchy, rockin' andf punky opening track Gods are Surely Joking which boasts some rather fine "oo-oo" vocals that are echoing around my skull as I type this review. Yes, it'sthat sort of album - memorable, hook laden with the occasional hard rockin' edge. Won't Be Long showcases Fiona's powerful and passionate vocals and really should be a hit. The chorus is suitable huge and the tight mix of electric and acoustic guitars throughout the song creates a strong backing for Fiona's spirirted performance. Hardly Wait is propelled forward by pumping, driving guitar and builds to a soaring chorus. Dream In Blue would be comfortable alongside Concrete Blonde's best work. Fiona demonstrates great vocal versatility throughout. Excellent is wonderfully creepy with Fiona employing a deliciously spectral voice on the verses. Scary is an intimate, breathy, Gothic-tinged stripped-back acoustic number, scary in the nicest possible way!
The smoky Feeds Me... explodes with an inspired guitar solo and burns with some chunky distorted riffing. Fiona's haunting vocals lend this track a late-night vibe. Suckerpunch is assured power-pop with witty, snotty lyrics. Closing number Come Closer effectively jumps from quiet and gentle verses into a thundering and abrasive chorus.
With Punks Like You Are A Dime A Dozen, In Vivo have demonstrated that even in an era often dominated by manufactured, computer-generated chart hugging pap, genuine organic creativity, personality and originality can flourish in musical hot beds such as marvellous Melbourne. In Vivo posess a sexy, sassy, earthy passion so obviously absent in much of today's accountancy-driven soft as suds electro-beat drivel. Buy this CD, see the band live and if we're lucky In Vivo will blow the bloodless, soulless charlatans of corporate crap out of the charts. It's about time don't you think?
- Graham Blackley - BEAT (Furst Publishing)


"H.A.N.D live review at Inflation"

"..it's a genuine relief to review a band like Have A Nice Day, because they are always good and it's just a matter of deciding how good. In this instance the energy was flowing to an extent that was almost scary. I've never seen this band so vibed before.
H.A.N.D demonstrate to me that there is a huge diversity of music that fits into the general "heavy rock" category. Their music has a very punk feel, coupled with metal riffs, and bright, pop melodies. Sort of "pop core". Interestingly they are also quite capable of playing a selection of lilting acoustic numbers. Fiona's voice soars over the danceable beats and metal guitar, with an effortless grace that is perfectly complimented by her slightly wicked but sophisticated persona.
A lot of peole claim that trios don't have as much visual impact as a larger band, but on this occasion H.A.N.D had the stage covered better than a symphony orchestra. The energy level was electric. For people who haven't seen H.A.N.D live it is a highly recommended experience - good musicianship, a compelling visual image and powerful tuneful vocals. A treat for lovers of original music and one of Melbourne's brightest hopes."
- Barrie Bardoe BEAT magazine - BEAT


"IN VIVO live at The Whisky Review"

"First of all, In Vivo is from Australia, the last land of uncategorizable rock-style groups. Led by sing/songwriter/bassist Fiona Lee Maynard (think Olivia-Newton-Midnight-Cave-Oil, or better yet, don't) and guitarist James Lomas (think broody, brilliant). In Vivo have parked themselves in our town for an extended stay. From their self-titled Birdcage release (buy it after the show and make them glad they decided to go to Hollywood), "Dead Street Time" is their most stinging song and represents what could make them catch on with apocalyptic-think-rockers everywhere: a seductive, squirmy, guitar-based mind-junket. The whole record is noce and uncomfortable, which is extra disconcerting considering onstage Fiona is such a good-time gal and that broody guy of hers is actually a chap you'd like to call "mate". Lots of their lyrics deal with big deal topics like independence, taking a chance and following your vital organs (sing along with "further down the line we've got 20/20 vision" from "Chomping at the Bit"). In the flesh In Vivo don't take themselves nearly as seriously as you might think, thanks to a powerhouse lead singer who's a little bit Janis (Joplin) and a little bit Ethel (Merman). Buy her a beer and she'll tell you about how to "getitinya."
- Libby Molyneaux LA Weekly - LA WEEKLY


"In Vivo Review - Rolling Stone"

Fiona Lee Maynard has decided not to sit back and piss and moan about what might have been when Have A Nice Day went under. Instead she's retained her link with Johnette Napolitano and teamed up with Melbourne stringman James Lomas. In Vivo has already inked a deal with Birdcage Records in the States, proving that perseverence really can pay off. They place their faith in your basic rock format (guitar/bass/drums). But Maynard's eccentric word plays (cue "Mr. Hippopotamus" or "Om Mani Padme Hum"), big pop heart (see "Break Through") and rock diva vocals, plus Napolitano's sturdy production, makes this worthwhile listening. And the dramatic rush of "Anyone There?" proves In Vivo know a big screen classic when they write one.
- Jeff Apter Rolling Stone - Rolling Stone (Australia)


"Live Review - BEAT"

Fiona Lee Maynard is a pleasure to watch. She embodies humour and grace and an amazing voice and the set that her band, In Vivo, performed was pure professionalism.
After living and performing in LA for the past 14 months, In Vivo have returned to Melbourne and, in this fourth show of a residency at The Greyhound, prove that months of hard touring do pay off.
I haven't seen Fiona since her Have A Nice Day era so am not familiar with the new material (apparently on release through TWA) but it's three piece rock anchored by Fiona's voice and bass lines with a sham cabaret feel, strong lyrics and sexy grooves.
A song In Vivo performed beautifully on the night was Concrete Blonde's "Carry Me Away", which cemented my notion that she is reminiscient of Johnette Napolitano in the performance department and an apt finale of Liza Minelli's "Life is A Cabaret" summed up the classic influences In Vivo draw upon. A very classy act.
-J.McManus - BEAT - Review of In Vivo Live at The Greyhound Hotel. - Beat


"Live Review at The Dan O'Connell"

When I first heard In Vivo's phenomenal album 'Punks Like You Are A Dime A Dozen' back in July 2001 I was blown away by the band's exciting and hugely passionate approach to soulful 'n' sassy hard rock. At The Dan, In Vivo demonstrated that they are more than capable of matching and perhaps surpassing such stunning recordings. They really do take on a larger-than-life persona when they hit the stage, working the smoky room as if it were a stadium. Lead singer and bass guru Fiona Lee Maynard, who possesses a huge eye-catching stage-presence, excited with her spine tingling vocal range. The haunting 'Scary' proved to be the ideal showcase for Fiona's pitch-perfect emotive vocal acrobatics. James Lomas and Dave Thomas, guitars slung low and amps fired up to elevn, pumped out a multitude of memorable and inspired riffs while new drummer Glenn Maynard kept this well-oiled machine thundering along with taut precision. New numbers such as 'Choking Me' and 'Everybody Sleeps' were welcome additions to In Vivo's rich repertoire. The only downside to the evening was that In Vivo didn't get the opportunity to play longer. Fortunately, the band will be releasing a 3 song CD so that we In Vivo addicts can get a much needed musical fix.
- Graham Blackely - (BEAT) In Vivo Live review at The Dan O'Connell. - Beat (Furst Publishing)


Discography

Fill Me Up - single (H.A.N.D)
H.A.N.D - EP (H.A.N.D)
Get To Know You - Single (H.A.N.D)
Explore - LP (H.A.N.D)
Slipped Away - single (H.A.N.D)
All Of Me - single (H.A.N.D)
You Understand - single (H.A.N.D)
Not Crying Anymore - single
My Time - LP
In Vivo - LP (In Vivo)
Scary - EP (In Vivo)
Punks Like You Are A Dime A Dozen - LP (In Vivo)
Choking Me - single (In Vivo)
Tijuana Souvenirs - EP (Tijuana Souvenirs) released 2009 receiving RRR airplay

You can find more demo'd & unreleased tunes on reverbnation & myspace/fionaleemaynard

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Bio

Fiona Lee Maynard is a composer, collaborator and performer with over 3 decades’ experience.
Recording her first song at the tender age of 15. Post High School, formed "Have A Nice Day" & achieved a degree of notoriety for her live performances and as a songwriter, bass player and vocalist signed to Shock 1989, & Mushroom Records 1990 - 1994.
In 1996 Fiona Lee Maynard & guitarist James Lomas recorded an album as “In Vivo” whilst living and performing in USA. The debut was produced by Johnette Napolitano, released on Birdcage Records in USA & Canada and TWA in Australia. In Vivo continued independently releasing albums and performing live until 2001.
Fiona Lee Maynard continues to explore a variety of musical styles and genres, in performance, in composition and in collaboration with other artists. Venturing into the softer side of her singer/songwriter persona, Fiona joined forces with violinist/fiddler Emma Rodda as the duo "Femme Royale’ and dabbled in Countrified-folk-rock-blues with the 4-piece “The Last Call”. Fiona Lee Maynard holds down the bass groove for “Tijuana Souvenirs” and appears as guest vocalist on a multitude of independent Melbourne bands’ releases.
Fiona Lee Maynard is now a self-recording artist and highly motivated to compose with respect to her inspiration and ambition to express the inexpressible, and entertain in the process.
Fiona Lee Maynard’s 2009 projects have included release of Tijuana Souvenirs debut EP and promotional live performances, solo acoustic performances and the work in progress on a self recorded, self composed, solo album, (with special guests).