IDOL Session: Lea Maria Fries
At the end of March, as spring was just beginning, IDOL had the pleasure of welcoming the Heavenly Sweetness label to its Parisian offices for a new IDOL Session. This evening was an opportunity to celebrate eleven years of collaboration. Franck Descollonges took the opportunity to emphasize that this partnership has played an essential role in the longevity of the label.
Recently signed by Heavenly Sweetness, Léa Maria Fries previewed some excerpts from her new album, CLEO, due to be released a few days later. The founder of the label recounts his meeting with the Swiss-German artist, while he was a member of the jury of the prestigious La Défense Jazz Festival. Franck Descollonges explained that what touched him was the alchemy she managed to create between the influences of jazz, the energy of rock and electro sounds. But beyond this musical blend, it was above all the strong European identity of the project that seduced him, an approach he considers essential and particularly relevant in the current context.
The showcase begins gently with the track ‘Witch’s Broom’, a languid and hypnotic piece carried by the warm sounds of the Rhodes. The atmosphere gradually becomes more intimate and dense, subtly foreshadowing a controlled crescendo. Lea Maria Fries captivates the audience with an a cappella incantation in Swiss German entitled ‘Chrüz’, before being gradually joined by the Rhodes and drums which give the piece its full scope.
The artist follows up with the title track of her upcoming album, ‘Cleo’, which ends with a beautiful jazz improvisation. After taking the time to introduce the musicians accompanying her, the artist impresses with her stage presence on ‘Just Passing’, narrating her story through fluid and expressive gestures.
On the track ‘Jools’, Lea Maria Fries takes up her velvety voice, enchanting and powerful. The showcase draws to a close, the singer warmly thanks the audience, and takes a moment to introduce her band again with great elegance. She closes this vibrant evening on a particularly intense note: the track ‘Fungi’ offers an irresistible lyrical rise, for a magnetic finale. The audience, won over, leaves under the spell of this revelation.
Listen to CLEO
