Braided
Braided | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Canada |
| Genres | Pop, folk, rock |
| Years active | 2005–2008 |
| Labels | Mark Lalama Music |
| Past members | Casey LeBlanc Ashley Leitão Amber Fleury |
| Website | www |
Braided is a musical group consisting of Casey LeBlanc, Ashley Leitão, and Amber Fleury, who all competed on the third season of Canadian Idol in 2005.[1] They are the third music group to come from an Idol show in the world, after Young Divas from Australia and Feminnem from Croatia.
History[edit]
During the 2005, Canadian Idol contest, Leitao came in ninth, Fleury eighth and LeBlanc fifth. The three were brought together by producer and Idol accompanist Mark Lalama, at the suggestion of his brother Paul.[2] The band's name was chosen because the group "braids" elements from across the country into one.[3]
Braided began recording in Lalama's studio at his farmhouse in Fenwick, Ontario.[3][4][5] The single "A Little Bit Closer" was released in June 2006.[3] Their debut album, Casey, Ashley and Amber, was released in August.[6] Figure skater Elvis Stojko sang a duet with Leitao on the track "Before You".[7][8][9] The group toured during 2006–07 to promote the album.[10][11]
Critical reception[edit]
Bob Mersereau, writing in the Telegraph-Journal, gave them a mixed review, writing that producer and songwriter Mark Lalama "gives them some cool 'girl-group' '60s material which is bright and fun. But there's also some schmaltz, ballad material that Celine Dion would pass on."[12]
Discography[edit]
Albums[edit]
- Casey, Ashley and Amber (August 2006)
Singles[edit]
- "A Little Bit Closer"
References[edit]
- ^ "Idol maker a Centennial high school grad". Niagara This Week, May 18, 2007
- ^ Klinkenberg, Marty (March 11, 2006). "No idling: Nackawic's Casey LeBlanc teams up with former fellow Canadian Idol contestants Amber Fleury and Ashley Leitao to make CD", Telegraph-Journal, p. D1.
- ^ a b c Malchuk, Carlye (July 31, 2006). "Idol finalists, including NBer, releasing CD Tuesday: Casey LeBlanc part of Braided trio", Telegraph-Journal, p. D10.
- ^ "Stillhungry; It's been a while since Niagara's Mark Lalama has had to worry about rent money, but the songwriter and Canadian Idol pianist doesn't yet feel sated" Archived 2017-03-12 at the Wayback Machine. Welland Tribune, Lori Littleton, February 7, 2008.
- ^ Grand, Janie (April 2009). "Profile: Mark Lalama", Professional Sound Magazine 20 (2): 21.
- ^ "Klippert finding success after 'Idol'" Archived 2017-03-12 at the Wayback Machine. Jam!, Canoe.com. TARA MERRIN -- Calgary Sun, Nov 4, 2006
- ^ (July 28, 2006). "Spot light: Elvis Stojko sings on upcoming Idol album", Edmonton Journal, p. F10.
- ^ Malchuk, Carlye (August 7, 2006). "Elvis makes his biggest jump", The Telegram, p. B3.
- ^ "Stojko takes up singing". Medicine Hat News, July 26, 2006, page 18.
- ^ (October 6, 2007). "Casey returns to roots", Telegraph-Journal, p. F2.
- ^ "Stojko hangs 'em up". The Independent, September 3, 2006. page 26.
- ^ Mersereau, Bob (August 9, 2006). "LeBlanc gets the Braided look", Telegraph-Journal, p. D7.