Lisa Nicole Grace

"Lisa's music comes from a very honest place. One of Edmonton's most inspiring musicians."
- Madison Audeau, Nait Radio NR92

"...Lisa Nicole Grace is about to lose her distinction as the most under-rated artist in Edmonton, as everyone is about to find out about the girl with the golden voice. With the release of her eclectic debut 'Prairie Belle', Lisa blends Folk, Pop and Country elements to create the most sonically interesting album to come out of Alberta in a very long time..."
- Cory Noel, Music Director 96.5 CKFM

Just sitting here listening to "Just Like You", and I'm really blown away. Not just vocally, but lyrically. Again, I told you before that you really had a Jann Arden vibe, but just listening to this now, it's like I'm hearing a female version of Blue Rodeo. Musically, it has a great "blue collar" edge to it, which I love. The steel guitar ALWAYS hits me hard, and it's so prevalent in "Just Like You". This is a GREAT song! - 96.5 CKFM

Perhaps Lisa Nicole Grace Evangelos wouldn’t be a musician today had it not been for a spinal surgery that the local singer-songwriter had to undergo eight years ago. The surgery was for the correction of her scoliosis, a condition she had been diagnosed with around age 10.

“I had to stop doing those more physical activities because of my surgery,” explains Evangelos, who had been involved in a variety of activities including gymnastics, dance and taekwondo as a child. “But I’ve always been involved in high school band and the choir at church. I started taking voice lessons while I was recovering and then I started focusing [solely on music].”

Evangelos is no doubt driven. She ended up in the top five in a CMT songwriting contest for former Canadian Idol contestant Tara Oram. In July, Evangelos recorded a four-song EP, titled The Cellar Sessions, in her basement studio and her songs have since gotten radio airplay.

“[My husband Jered and I] bought some recording equipment in January so we just started experimenting,” says Evangelos. “[Jered] contributed a lot. He really learned how to use the recording equipment. He played percussion and different instruments. [We] wrote some of the songs together and he helped produce some of the songs.”

Having done and learned so much in such a short time span, it’s hard to believe that right before Evangelos turned 25 earlier this year, she went through a minor, quarter-life crisis before she had finished making her record.

“I took some sociology courses ... that [talked] about how society puts a timeline and pressure on people. Usually I don’t let that [pressure] affect me, but I definitely was having one of those weeks,” Evangelos recalls, a little embarrassed. “For the most part, I feel that everybody is an individual with their own timeline. Everyone goes through slumps, but that’s just life. I don’t think it really matters how old you are as long as you’re following your dreams.” V
- Vue Weekly - Kristina De Guzman