McKenna Frazer's debut single is a cover of Bauhaus' David J's "I'll Be Your Chauffeur" which was recording in collaboration with J and Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza and the story of how that happened is quite the tale. Her camp sent it over: San Francisco native,18-year old McKenna Frazer is charming, talented, driven, adventurous, and loves to give back. She is also an avid music lover. And it doesn't hurt that David J, renowned artist and founding member of the rock band Bauhaus, is her biggest advocate.
Their recent collaboration, a rendition of his hit "I'll Be Your Chauffeur," was originally recorded as a gift for McKenna's father, who is a good friend of David J's. McKenna grew up listening to David's music and when she decided to record a song for her dad, this one seemed perfect. She was going through her dad's music collection and came across "I'll Be Your Chauffeur," a song she knew by heart. She describes the process as simple and organic, saying that "the song is so beautiful- it just clicked. I wanted to record a song for my dad before I left for my gap-year in India, and I knew it was the perfect choice." She began teaching herself the chords, popped open her laptop, and began laying down individual tracks for the ukulele and vocals. After adding harmonies and a little "do-do-do" line (which she borrowed from the guitar riff on the Pretender's song, "Back on the Chain Gang") it was complete!
After McKenna played the song for her father, he immediately emailed her version to David J. When David heard McKenna's recording, he was so impressed with her voice and the charm of her interpretation that he invited her to the studio and recorded a fully mixed and mastered rendition, which he co-produced with Thievery Corporation's Rob Garza. Soon to follow was a video shoot, which McKenna shot with David J (executive producer) and David Jude Thomas (director/co-executive producer). Recalling the experience, McKenna describes it as "fun but definitely different from what I expected, especially working with a crew. The whole process was fascinating because it's something you don't really get to understand until you go through it, and I'm so glad I did. It was interesting to see that side of the process."
What's next for McKenna? Her own music! With a growing catalogue of songs, McKenna is excited about pursuing her own music career. She knew from an early age that music was what she wanted to do, and she looks forward to her future as a musician. She hopes to touch people with her music in the same way that so many artists have impacted her.
Watch the music video here.
