Throughout our lives, most of us are fortunate enough to come across certain rare individuals who possess an inborn ability to inspire and motivate us. Although we may not realize it at the time, the direction in which we are travelling is thereafter unmistakably altered from the instant they come into our lives. To many who know him, Elliot Fraizinger is one of those special people.

Through his willingness to share and work with artists of all disciplines, he is responsible for influencing an entire music scene; always one to value the insight gained from others, Elliot has been at the centre of some of Toronto indie's most exciting collaborations.

Born and raised in the unassuming Ontario suburb of Thornhill, this humble musician got an early start performing in Christian-revival church bands, talent shows, and local shopping malls. Now in his mid-twenties, however, Elliot has made a name for himself as a versatile composer and multi-instrumentalist amid the haughty tastes of the Toronto and Montreal music underground. While most comfortable working from his Toronto based studio, Elliot has collaborated with some of the most notable Indie and electro outfits across Canada - the impressive list of those with whom he has worked over the years has grown to include such formidable acts as Formalists, FanService, Dubl-D, Mr.Mover and the Shakers and Kodiac Trail, to name just a few.

Better known within the electronic dance music, or EDM community, as one half of the disco DJ duo Sherman&Fraizinger, Elliot is equally respected across a wide range of musical genres for both his song writing and production expertise. His main project, The Neighborhood Watch - a four-piece indie-noise-rock collective in which he is the driving creative force - is poised to release their critically anticipated sophomore L.P. later this year, and has garnered considerable buzz both within the online sphere and on the streets.

To be sure though, Elliot did not find his success through here-today-gone-tomorrow blog hype or media promotion like so many others. Rather, through years of painstaking commitment to refining his craft and an undeniable ability to consistently push the boundaries of electronic music, his inclusive and energetic approach to the creative process has made him one of the most sought after artists in today's industry.

To understand why so many jump at the opportunity of working with him, or how he is able to successfully orchestrate numerous and diverse musical projects, it is important to have a better appreciation of who the man behind the music really is.  

By any reasonable measure, Elliot is an accomplished individual. Fluent in several languages and holding degrees in both philosophy and electrical engineering, those in his inner circle regard him as epitomizing a modern Renaissance man. At the age when most of us were still learning our ABC's, young Frazer occupied himself by composing piano sonatas and taking apart old transistor radios. Voted by his high-school classmates as most likely to become a rock star and most likely to make significant contributions to science, his mutual interest in music and technology has resulted in a dynamic synthesis of digital and analog mediums. While he is proficient at playing virtually any instrument within his reach, he does not limit himself to any single mode of expression. His extensive catalogue boasts over five hundred unique compositions in which he has performed and recorded instruments ranging from grand pianos to glockenspiels. 

While he is not one to revel in the limelight or actively seek out praise for his numerous academic and professional accomplishments, the consensus is unanimous: bringing people together is what Elliot does best. In looking back at his past involvement with the indie and electro scene, it is hard to quantify the immense influence he has had on so many emerging artists. Pavel Gurvich, lead guitarist of The Black Carrots, relates one of the many examples of Elliot's charitable ethos:

"Yeah, Elliot is all about working with different people and getting together as many artists and instruments as he can in one place. He loves that [expletive]. I remember back in the day, like before any of us had any decent gear of our own, you know, he would always let us go jam at his place. This was a big deal to a lot of us because we didn't have money for rehearsal studios or anything like that, let alone sound engineers or access to recording equipment, but Elliot man, he would cut demos for us for nothing. I mean he really helped a lot of us starting out".

This is, however, only but one example of Elliot's contributions to his community. From what band-mates and people in the scene say of him, he is akin to being the patron saint of fellow musicians. From his willingness to fill in for a friend at a moment's notice, or to offer the services of his minivan, or to give advice to those in need, there are few who compare in generosity or modesty.

Having had the privilege of knowing Elliot personally, I, like so many, can honestly say that if not for him, I might very well not be pursuing my own passions. Through his actions and words, the lesson he most impressed upon me is that it is always better to include than it is to exclude; it is always better to embrace the reject; it is always better to oblige than it is to deny - because, in the end, we all benefit when we come together. In a time where so many only look for the profit or gain derived from things, I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with Elliot Fraizinger. 

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