Biography

When Chris Cayzer received his first guitar on his 16th birthday, no one would have predicted the talent, the passion and the soul to transpire from his music.  Hours of relentless guitar playing, many broken strings, dozens of songs written at poor to average standards and sounds of a struggling yet promising voice carried throughout the Cayzer household at the most inconvenient hours, often disturbing other family members from their slumber!  Chris was determined and passionate to write and perform good music, which is evident in his dedication and commitment to his continual growth as a musician.  Three years later, the sentiment in his song writing and the depth and fervor in his music shows maturity far beyond his years.
 
Born to Filipino parents Khristine Araneta Cayzer and Reggie Hizon Cayzer, Chris grew up in the sunny city of Brisbane, Australia.  Living in Australia for most of his life shaped a large part of Chris's identity - a charismatic, laid-back, playful and polite young man with a great sense of humor.  Chris' closest friends would know him to be the life of the party as he knows the best pranks to play on people, especially his older sister!  Being the youngest in the family Chris can certainly get away with a lot more than most people and often shows a very fun loving side.  Chris's Filipino virtues however are most certainly evident in the way he values his family and friends, his respect towards elders and general comradeship he so easily forms with people.  Family is important to Chris and so is his music.  "I really started to learn more about myself when I started expressing myself through music," says the 19 year old.  "My family has always supported me in everything I have done, especially my music.  I mean, my parents bought me my first guitar!"

Chris admits that his inspiration to start playing guitar was from listening to John Mayer's first album "Room for Squares".  Chris's other musical influences are Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20, James Taylor, Lee Ritenour, Michael Franks, Kenny Rankin and Radiohead.  With an appreciation for all music genres, Chris shows a particular liking to Jazz.  His Dad, a former Disc Jockey, is a big fan of such names as George Benson, Earl Klugh, The Rippingtons and other similar artists.  This obviously influenced Chris's musical taste.
 
Chris finds and loses himself in his music, sharing every note and lyric intimately with his audience.  Whether performing in a crowded bar or to a small group of close family and friends, when Chris sings the world before you fades away – all eyes are on him.  If you ever have the opportunity to see him perform live, you'll find his energy contagious and be captivated by his dynamic stage presence.  The self-taught musician and singer is gifted with a natural and raw yet first-class voice.  Most people are blown away by how young he is.

Chris captures a diverse audience and although he has developed his own sound over the last few years and feels comfortable delivering his music, he continues to challenge himself and strives to prove himself as an incessantly evolving musician.

The boy certainly also loves to rock!  You'll hear the best of his rough, edgy rock vocals in "Throw out the old me" and "Another one".  These songs particularly illustrate the desperation and intensity of relationships.  Chris's softer and more soothing sounds can be heard in "Holding out" and "I got you", which are romantic ballads to pull some heart strings.  "Things work out differently" tells more of the confusions and private pains in personal trials and that hope above all else will see you through anything.

Although successfully writing and composing his own songs, Chris delivers any song he chooses as if they were his own.  His falsetto in "Creep" will send shivers down your spine and his deliberation of "No Such Thing" demands your full attention.

There is definitely a lot of emotion not only in Chris' song writing but also in the way he delivers his songs.  Chris puts so much of himself into his music and outshines many of today's young pop idols not only through musical technicalities but also through substance.

Chris has been well guided by his family and although young is most certainly focused and of a matured mind when it comes to his music. The boy still has a lot to learn and is not afraid of where the music industry will take him.  "When I perform, I invite anyone to come along for the ride."

  <Patricia Herrara> (2005)