- Portrait of an emerging Swiss singer
Many emerging Swiss artists are dreaming of pursuing a career in North America where the cultural environment generally offers better work conditions and bigger chances of success than Switzerland does. However only a few of these artists ever take the chance to make their dream come true by moving over the Atlantic to start a new career.
Nonetheless, this is what Chère Françoise did when she decided to leave the shore of Lake Zürich for Toronto in 2007 with the aim to give a new twist to her musical vocation. A first milestone in a promising North American career was reached in 2009 with the release of “Departures” a 6 songs CD which was well received by the local press.
Franziska Beeler – Chère Françoise’s given name – was born in Rapperswil-Jona and spent her first 24 years in Switzerland before going to Canada. Since she was a little girl, she has stood on many different stages, be it for choirs, theatres, musicals or dance groups and bands. In Switzerland, she has released two albums with her former band Groove Perception, their first album receiving an award of excellence of the cultural foundation of the province of St. Gallen. After graduating from University Franziska Beeler studied at Swiss Jazz School in Bern. She took vocal lessons with acclaimed Swiss jazz singer Lisette Spinnler, which influenced her entire perception of music for life.
Franziska Beeler came to Toronto almost three years ago. Leaving behind her old band members, she focused on creating a new solo project. She picked up the guitar again and created an English and French cocktail, mixing traditional American folk songwriting with jazz, but keeping in touch with her European roots and voilà, Chère Françoise was born.
Chère Françoise’s first public performance in Canada was at the Canadian Music Week 2009 where she was given the opportunity to play in front of a great crowd at the Royal York Hotel Library Bar. Soon after she recorded her first solo EP “Departures” and promoted it on tour in Switzerland and Germany. On her tour she shared the stage with acts like Portugal.The Man, The Howling Bells, Anne Clark or Sophie Hunger, performing in cities such as Hamburg, Berlin and at the Bardenfestival in Nürnberg.
Since her return to Canada Chère Françoise is performing concerts in Toronto and area with her new band, a three piece with drums, guitar and bass; Chère Françoise playing guitar, Kalimba and singing.
Find out more about Chère Françoise
by visiting her website
www.myspace.com/cherefrancoise
Contact: cherefrancoise@gmail.com
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