Big Voice /Little Woman Sings from the Heart
Tara A. Spears
Remember that time you were listening to a live performance and you knew you had a life changing experience? That’s what fans are saying after hearing local songstress Frad Mulier entertain at various venues in Jaltemba Bay, Nayarit. What’s exciting is that the very talented young woman and her dazzling professional musician husband, Javier Hernandez, are early in their journey to super stardom.
No matter what type of music you prefer, you will definitely appreciate the range of Frad’s vocals. Frad combines emotion, lyrics and melody to become the music. It’s as if she stops being aware of the song as she sings; it’s as if she slips through the song’s tunnel, becoming engulfed by the notes for Frad’s reality to become inseparable from the music. It’s an amazing, mesmerizing and addictively powerful performance.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Frad’s parents loved to sing along with popular songs. Her Father sang with the church choir and played guitar accompaniment. When Frad was 15 she did her first solo singing at church but like many teens she was interested in more vernacular socializing. “I wasn’t a very good student in high school,” said Frad. “My parents wanted me to go to university but I loved theater and art and wanted to travel. The traditional classes just didn’t mean anything to me.” Ironically, even though Frad loved performing, she didn’t consider her voice to be special enough for becoming a singer.
While still a teenager, Frad and some friends when to a live concert. She was smitten by the guitarist. “Ya, I became a groupie so that I could meet him!” Frad was impressed by his music skills and later, when they began dating, she was awed by his kindness, intelligence and goals. Not only did the couple fall deeply in love, but Javier recognized her singing talent. It was Javier’s encouragement and patient explaining of music that motivated Frad to begin singing in public. Now Frad formulated a dream of a future with the two of them performing together.
Her parents insisted that she give up the idea of singing and return to university. Instead, the contemporary couple hit the road to perform in more than a dozen Mexican states. For five years they traveled, getting married along the way. At Javier’s suggestion, Frad studied with a voice coach and continues to take online classes. “I realized that if I was going to be serious about a career singing I needed to become disciplined and slow down the partying.”
Frad explained, “So many people will tell you no you can’t be a performer, that you need to believe in yourself and your dream , that you can just smile and tell the
m ‘watch me’. I had to learn to take rejection as a motivation to prove people wrong. It’s the best skill you can ever learn. ” Seven years later Frad has become unstoppable. She’s developed her natural talent with training, even following a diet for her voice.
The musical couple performed in San Blas and traveled down the coast. When pausing for a couple of days in La Penita, they checked out possible venues. After a very successful performance, Frad and Javier were impressed by the warm audience response. “We decided to settle here to perfect our act. Besides, we were worn out with lugging all of the instruments- we needed a home base.”
Settled into a charming little house enabled Javier and Frad to devote more time to perfecting their music and to adopt a couple of rescue dogs. “We love the opportunities here (in Jaltemba Bay and surrounding coastal towns.) It’s very exciting to stay in one place and develop a fan base!” Besides, the creative couple realized that the internet provides means to share their work online. During the stay at home period, Frad and Javier have learned how to market video reco
rdings of their songs through youtube- rather like selling the old fashioned CDs to a store.
In this uncertain time, it’s difficult for musicians and performers to arrange gigs or to make a performance schedule as the restaurants and bars are at the mercy of government regulations. But, they need to perform. You can enjoy the sultry vocals of Frad and the excellent musical accompaniment at home by making a purchase of one of the Frad Mulier Band videos. There are great choices such as ‘Someone like you’, ‘Piece of my Heart’, ‘Wicked Games’ and many more on their playlist. Go to the facebook page, Frad Mulier or email: fradmulierband@gmmail.com No matter where you are, you can order online with paypal or e transfers. If you are in Mexico, go to Victor’s Restaurant on the beach Monday, 13 July, at 3pm for a live performance. Frad believes that “fans are what make a performer and I’ve always taken them seriously.” You can call or text 327103 9715 for additional performance dates and locations.
Once you listen to this amazing singer, you’ll be transported. Frad brings youth, energy and sincerity to rock songs. She gives her heart and soul to make her dream a reality. As expat Steve Temple sums up “Support musicians! It’s their music that makes our day and nights!”