Her picture.
Posted on 08/10/2006 3:02:35 AM PDT by WesternCulture
If I had a daughter, I wouldn't name her "LaGaylia", but anyhow, the lady sure can sing.
One day she might be big in the US and not only in Sweden.
The article:
'I just love Swedish blonds'
Since arriving in Sweden from Florida in 2001, LaGaylia Frazier has become one of the best-known faces on the Swedish music scene. She has competed twice in Melodifestivalen and is a stalwart of Robert Wells’ legendary Rhapsody in Rock concerts. The American soul diva’s voice was described by one journalist as a cross between Shirley Bassey and Tina Turner.
"- How would you have reacted if somebody had told you ten years ago that you would soon be big in Sweden?"
Am I big in Sweden? I am not so sure about that, but I guess I would never really expect to be in Sweden period! I am not someone who projects vary far into the future in my head, so I don't really think so much about where I'll be in 10 years.
But I never thought I would be here in this beautiful country making my living playing for so many people at the same time – that part is the biggest surprise. When I think of the sizes of the audiences that I have been in front of, I can actually get butterflies all over again.
"- When you first got here you moved to Sundsvall. That was a big step - did you have doubts? And what did you make of the place when you arrived?"
I had absolutely no doubts when I decided to move, because I was in love and wanted to be with my boyfriend, and he lived in Sundsvall. It was the biggest decision I have ever made in my life, but I have never looked back.
I had already been to Sundsvall before I moved, so I knew sort of what it was like, but I didn't really get the "vibe" of Sweden until I moved. Living in another country is definitely a different experience no matter how you look at it.
I have traveled a lot in my life and I have learned that every country has its pluses and minuses. It's a matter of what you prefer. I happen to like a cooler climate, blonds, clean air and water, forests and space, fish, and challenges. Sweden happens to offer all of those things and more.
"-What was your first impression of Rhapsody in Rock?"
Surprise. I had no idea what to expect when I came and we don't have anything like Robert in the States. I was pleasantly surprised to see so many loyal fans cheering him on!
"-Your Swedish seems to have come on in leaps and bounds. How did you learn?"
Tack så mycket! I did a show in Malmö called West Side Story and I played Anita – a pretty meaty part. She had a speaking role and the show was in Swedish so that was a big learning experience for me.
I didn't learn much grammar, but I had a diction coach that taught me the basic principles of pronunciation in this language. I didn't really start speaking in a social way until I met my present boyfriend. He has encouraged me greatly over the past year and as we all know, the more you speak, the more you learn and can speak. I surprise myself sometimes!
"-Any other plans to sing in Swedish?"
I have sung a song called Cecilia Lind in Swedish, it was the first song I learned in this language and I intend to do more.
"-Which Swedish artists have impressed you most?"
I really love Helen Sjöholm, Jerry Williams, Håkan Hellström, Eric Gadd, Lisa Nilsson, Esbjörn Svensson, Nisse Landgren, Janne Lundgren, and that group that sings "We're not living in America" with that cool blonde front girl [The Sounds – ed].
"-Any plans to perform outside Sweden?"
Sure. I travel to Finland and Norway a couple of times a year and do some gigs there, but I plan to do more in the future. I also do some private things here and there in Spain and Germany, but I will probably do a comeback gig in Florida soon – just to say hi again.
QUICK FIRE
Have you ever eaten Surströmming?
NO
Carola or Lena Philipsson?
Carola's voice, Lena's attitude
What do you like most about living here?
The challenge
What do you like least about living here?
The fear in people
What's your favourite Swedish word?
“detärsomdetär”
By the way "det är som det är" means "that's just the way it is". Not a very common expression allover Sweden, but it might be in some places of course. She lives up north, I live in the south of Sweden(Gothenburg).
More info on surströmming:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming
Big, big, news!
My mum went to school with Sirley Bassey in Splott Cardiff.
Claim to fame (1 degree of seperation).
They got nothing on our chili...
Her picture.
Darn, not a blond on this thread.
Doesn't this belong in "Breaking News"?
Older persons in Sweden fail to understand how anyone could eat chili, while the younger generations just love it.
- Me want habanero!
Could be arranged, couldn't it?
Personally, I feel somewhat lazy at the moment, but I know there's a lot of freepers around who always manage to post pics of beautiful scandinavian women in every Sweden/Scandinavia thread.
That's fine with me. Our women ARE gorgeous!
Go for it!
I think it should be placed on top of every category of FR - it is THAT important.
It is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
I was hoping this could become a thread consisting in a collection of beautiful blond women pics.
My (lame) exuse for not having added any such image yet is the fact that I've just enjoyed my lunch and feel too lazy.
Perhaps I'll do something about it later.
***It is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.***
I have a picture (somewhere) of the Women's Brazillian Vollyball team in the shower but I would get banned if I posted it.;-)
Thanks a lot razorback-bert!!
I feel like I owe you a pizza or something! ;-)
Congratulate yourself on a job well done.
It took me about 10 seconds to find that picture online. WOW!
Where exactly? I will be in the Göteborg area next week. I'll be in Göteborg itself on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then south of there, at Helsjöns folkhögskola, for a conference, Thursday-Sunday. (I don't know if I'll have time or opportunity to meet any Swedish FReepers while I'm over there, since I'll be with hosts, but maybe, and I'm curious anyway.)
WesternCulture, you definitely need to be the 64th person on our Swedish Ping List! We use it to notify each other whenever there's a Sweden-related thread of interest (like this one) here on FR.
Ping to the Swedish Ping List.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.