Bio

Four years on from the release of her 1st album, Liesl Graham seemed to have disappeared. Exploding, rather than emerging, Liesl Graham’s new sound is unapologetically Rock. The release of her 2nd album Chrysalis, proves that the hibernation was worth the wait. Unleashed in this record is a stronger, clearer sound and voice… Graham’s time in the cocoon is over. In a genre dominated by beer-swilling, screaming men with bad hair and make up, female performers can be a novelty, where women are lauded more for their lip gloss and tight t-shirts than their music. Chrysalis is Liesl Graham’s ‘welcome to the boys’ club’. Proving she can rock with the best of them, without having to forgo any of her feminine wiles and charm, Graham’s second album is a triumph of honesty, vulnerability and kick-butt passion. Combine the adult sensibilities of great song craft and good vibes, with the enthusiasm of crunch-laden rock guitars and haunting lyrics… and you’ve got the album. Liesl Graham’s first album Something to Believe was released through major label Gallo record company in South Africa, and spawned the hit songs ‘All Roads’ and ‘Next to you’. The album was nominated for a SAMA award and her songs were included on several top selling compilation albums as well as TV programmes such as the unexpected hit show ‘ Going nowhere slowly’. Graham’s first album led her to several international performances and she was fortunate to work with some of South Africa’s top talent such as Johnny Clegg and Jeff Maluleka, who have rated her as one of the best and most unique voices in the country. Following her success, Liesl began working on new material and after interest from several US labels, 2004/2005 saw her performing in the USA at famous clubs such as CBGBS in New York and The Viper Room in LA. CBGBS even asked her if they could stream the performance as part of their ‘Best Of’ package. With a major-label development deal on the table, Graham returned to South Africa. “Everything in my life was so crazy at that point, I just needed to figure out exactly what I wanted and how I wanted to do it. I wanted to make sure I was more in control this time around”. The result was a meeting of minds back in Cape Town South Africa with rock and roller Nick Els. Nick had just returned from 20 years in the states and his legendary experience was just what Graham needed. “South Africa is my home and I believe we have a lot to show the rest of the world, so I decided to try and work it from here.” Liesl Graham found her hands-on involvement in the entire process liberating. Several of South Africa’s top talent worked together on the project. Releasing the album on a joint venture deal with independent label Loneroc Records was also a big decision, which Graham made to ensure her creative freedom and artistic input. Not sacrificing her trademark ’songs of substance’, Graham has emerged with a harder edged sound that is unapologetic in its delivery. From the haunting ballad ‘Little Bird’, to the raw energy of ‘Go Home’, to the irrepressible and irresistible sounds of ‘Faithless Heart’; Liesl’s Graham music has taken flight. The Chrysalis album may have been a long time coming… but it certainly was well worth the wait!