Sidney York

Sidney York

Hailing from Western Canada, Sidney York may draw easy comparisons to The Bangles, given the trio of women harmonizing on stage via claps, whistles and vocals. While superficially valid – and Brandi Sidoryk’s vocals do remind one of Susanna Hoffs – Sidney York is actually something more complex. My take-away thoughts last night were “The Go-Gos mate with band geeks and dabble in cabaret”, a surprisingly accurate depiction given the “band geek” history of the band.

With sunny, joyous melodies reminiscent of Fun., Sidney York takes it a step further into the burlesque with luscious vocals and the flavour of the oboe and bassoon. The result is a mad carnival of music, a sense of being under the thrall of several talented ringmistresses, all devoted to ensuring you are thoroughly entertained. Infectious and propelled by Sidoryk’s operatic voice, Sidney York take the ball lobbed out by acts akin to The Ditty Bops and run it for a touchdown.

If Jenny Lewis’ lyrics depress you and you like your pop with a little more spice, check out Sidney York. Highly recommended.

by A.C. Dillon - Open 'Til Midnight

Sidney York
FROM: Calgary, AB/Vancouver, BC
PERFORMED: Thursday, 10 p.m. at Supermarket

?Pre-Show Hype: The group's video for the song “Dick and Jane” is a charming stunner reminiscent of Feist's “1, 2, 3, 4.” Shot in a single, unbroken take, it has received over twenty thousand YouTube views and counting.

Crowd: Continuing what seems to be a trend at the festival, the room started disappointingly empty, only to fill up quickly once the music began.

Performance: After taking a few songs to settle in, the group's bouncy energy easily won everyone over. Lead singer Brandi Sidoryk is a cross between Emily Haines gone pop and a sunnier Fiona Apple—which is to say, she's a true original. And the other two talented women in the band, Sheryl Reinhardt and Krista Wodelet, dominated the oboe and the bassoon, respectively. The title track from their latest album, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, garnered a justified extra helping of applause.

Best Moment: It would be hard to beat the hand-clap and whistle-along for “Dick and Jane.”

Miscellaneous: But then again, they did pull off an adorable rendition of Savage Garden's “I Want You.” Ch-ch-cherry cola!

Verdict: 8/10

by Kevin Scott - The Torontoist

Sidney York
FROM: Calgary, AB/Vancouver, BC
PERFORMED: Thursday, 10 p.m. at Supermarket

?Pre-Show Hype: The group's video for the song “Dick and Jane” is a charming stunner reminiscent of Feist's “1, 2, 3, 4.” Shot in a single, unbroken take, it has received over twenty thousand YouTube views and counting.

Crowd: Continuing what seems to be a trend at the festival, the room started disappointingly empty, only to fill up quickly once the music began.

Performance: After taking a few songs to settle in, the group's bouncy energy easily won everyone over. Lead singer Brandi Sidoryk is a cross between Emily Haines gone pop and a sunnier Fiona Apple—which is to say, she's a true original. And the other two talented women in the band, Sheryl Reinhardt and Krista Wodelet, dominated the oboe and the bassoon, respectively. The title track from their latest album, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, garnered a justified extra helping of applause.

Best Moment: It would be hard to beat the hand-clap and whistle-along for “Dick and Jane.”

Miscellaneous: But then again, they did pull off an adorable rendition of Savage Garden's “I Want You.” Ch-ch-cherry cola!

Verdict: 8/10

by Kevin Scott - The Torontoist

BreakOut West was an amazing weekend, with so many talented bands, it was really quite the challenge just to decide where to go on a given night. The beautiful part was, however, that you could stay at a venue and discover some incredib new tunes. Over three nights, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 different venues played host to a total of 50 different ?bands-and all for the price of $20. I managed to easily discover over 5 new bands I had never had the pleasure to listen to. Here are my top three-one from each day.

Thursday Night, The Artful Dodger BreakOut West Kick Off – The Nix Dicksons

Some people may argue this choice, since only two bands played that night, The Nix Dicksons and Indigo Joseph. Indi is a well known Regina band, and The Nix Dicksons are a rock group out of Calgary, so my choices were limited, and I already know Indigo Joseph quite well. Okay, this is looking bad I agree, but seriously, once you listen to The Nix Dicks EP, The Red Fox, you'll understand me. Seriously go do it, it is well worth your time. It's solid rock that gets you moving a generally having a good time. Having heard them for the first time that night, and then actually meeting the guys and having a BBQ with them and some other bands, I can say that not only are they talented musicians, but all around great guys. Do them a favour and put them on your list of bands to check out.

http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/The-Nix-Dicksons

Friday Night, The Artesian – Rococode

??????????This is partially my own fault, because to have not listened to Rococode until this point is probably a bad thing. Hailing fr Vancouver, with the constant competition of a million other amazing bands, Rococode has stood out as an energetic pop-rock band with that perfect touch of electronic-synth pop. The vocal work from Laura Smith is what really got me, th and her key playing(slaying). Great vocals, poppy catchy rock music, there isn't much more that you could want, but if yo aren't convinced, their new album is also co-produced by Mother Mother's Ryan Guldemond, which is another reaso why you need to check them out.

????????????http://rococode.com/

Saturday Night, The Exchange – Sidney York
Saturday Night I planted myself for most of the night at The Exchange. The line up there was amazing, and so was the company! Some great bands hit the stage (Said the Whale, Rococode, Indigo Joseph, etc.) but my instant new favourit was Sidney York. With three female leads, Brandi Sidoryk, Sheryl Reinhardt, and Krista Wodelet, Sidney York is an incredibly fun pop band that will have you stomping your feet, clapping your hands and singing along, without you even realizing it. The song Dick & Jane, will have you whistling for days after. In reality, all you have to do is watch and see ho much fun the three lead women are having on stage, and you will have no problem getting excited yourself.
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?????????Check out their music if you don't believe me,
http://music.cbc.ca/#/play/artist/Sidney-York/

by Jared Schlechte - Rage Regina

Sidney York – Dick & Jane – Apocalyptic Radio Cynic (2011)

Thanks in part to high school honors jazz band, a love of classical music, a love of Opera, and a flight attendant.....I can introduce you to Sidney York. Sidney York is not one person, it’s actually a band fronted by 3 women whose talents as musicians are pretty amazing. At any given moment you can see Sheryl Reinhardt, Krista Wodelet, or Brandi Sidoryk singing, playing piano, ukulele, oboe or bassoon....and it translates into some pretty unique pop music. All 3 are classical trained musicians and one of them actually is a flight attendant: the one thing that serendipitously brought them all together. This is one of my favorite new finds in a long time.

by Matt Wells - MuchMore.ca

Now that the bands have finally descended upon the city there was so much great live music to be heard. It was hard to choose between the hundred or so playing last night (June 13), but I managed to catch Montreal's Lakes of Canada at The Central. They're like a Canadian Fleet Foxes. I'm a sucker for random instruments, and boy did they deliver
on those. Not only were there the standard drums, guitar and keyboards, but at any given time there was cello, glockenspiel, classical guitar, 12-string ukulele, mandolin, extra floor tom, sleigh bells, yes sleigh bells on a moccasin, bongos, flute and four-part harmonies that were phenomenal.
From there, I travelled to see The Matinee at The Gladstone who were one of the most jovial bands I've seen in a long time. The energy and enthusiasm that these guys had on stage, rocking out the Canadiana alt-country vibes was palpable. It translated to everyone in the room. From the moment they started stomping their feet, everyone in the room couldn't help but dance. If I could, I would catch these guys every night, because there was so much joy in their performance, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face throughout the show.

Maurice was up next, but I only managed to catch a few songs of his, for two reasons: I had seen him play and chatted with him earlier in the day at the Hyatt, which I'll get to shortly, and Sidney York was performing across town at The Painted Lady. I had met Brandi, the singer, yes Sidney York is the name of the band, when I was living in Calgary years ago, and she was a solo act under the name Sidney York. Now they are a three piece with oboe and bassoon and have created this really cool classical infused indie pop sound. I couldn't miss that show; remember I'm a sucker for random instrumentation. They were incredible, again the enthusiasm on stage extended into everyone in the room. Brandi was lost in the music from the opening chord, jumping around stage and climbing on monitors. The entire band played their hearts out to the packed room. My only complaint, like I told the ladies afterwards, was the set was too short! I needed to hear more!
??????
????????????As I mentioned, I caught up with JP Maurice to hopefully get answers to some of Adam Duritz' questions from yesterday. He had travelled by train to arrive at NXNE: "The train was this thing called Tracks on Tracks that was created by Green Couch Sessions, [who] reached out to VIA rail about it, and VIA rail got behind it. They handpicked seven bands, and then three went through a contest through CBC Radio 3 to get voted in. There was one car that was designated where the bands would perform every night. We had a little PA and drum kit, so it was pretty full on. That car every night was just packed with people, and the train was rocking back and forth. It was pretty surreal. Every night people would be jamming, and there were sort of scattered performances here and there."
We continued to chat about The Peak Performance Project, a contest that radio station 100.5 The Peak runs in Vancouver. Having worked in radio for years, I can attest that this is the finest, most comprehensive contest any radio station in North America is running to help out young bands.
"There were a lot of similarities for me between the train and The Peak Performance Project because it's just a bunch of bands hanging out together. I'm really looking forward to going back again this year, because that experience at boot camp for the Peak is just unreal.

Boot camp?

"Boot camp is basically this resort in Princeton, B.C., and this week of intensive seminars and training with industry people so you're learning about how to market yourself, how to market your music, touring, how to perform. There's sort of every facet of the tools an artist needs for it. And the whole point of the program, besides the contest part, which is the prize [of $100,500] for going through it, is it's supposed to be an education program. The whole thing is empowering artists to take their career in their hands and know that, especially nowadays, the more you can do for yourself the better."

While JP went to get lunch before his first performance of the day, Sidney York showed up and the three ladies and I got to chatting about the festival: "I think there's a lot to gain, and a lot of what we have to gain we've already seen with Tracks on Tracks. There was a lot of buzz about Tracks on Tracks and it really prompted a lot of people to get into contact with us," says lead singer Brandi Sidoryk. "We've had the luxury of meeting a lot of people in the music industry that we had never really thought that we would have a chance to meet this time around. The fact that all three of us are together at the same time [the members live in Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto], we wanted to meet and hang out with old friends and new friends and make contacts in the next couple of days, as many as we can."

She went on to say: "We love collaborating, an - MSN Music

Confirmation at long last, band geeks are cool.

Three self-proclaimed band geeks took to the Kudu Industries Grandstand Stage at the Lloydminster Exhibition Ground on Wednesday and proved just as much.

Sidney York, the Calgary-based pop trio of Brandi Sidoryk, Krista Wodelet and Sheryl Reinhardt, opened for superstar singer Carly Rae Jepsen and stole the show from the B.C. girl.

Sidoryk, the lead singer, who was born in Lloydminster, was even mistaken for the current princess of pop by her adoring fans--the two look very similar.

She took it all in stride, surprised at being mistaken for Jepsen.

"It was actually really adorable, because there's so many adorable, young gentlemen in the audience and they were coming up to me with all of their strength and courage and being like, "Carly?' And I said, "Oh honey, I'm so sorry, you worked up all of your courage and I'm not even Carly Rae Jepsen,'" she said after the performance.

While Jepsen's fans were trying to figure out who was on stage, Sidney York put their own stamp on the show and made sure everyone in the grandstand knew who they were by the time they left the stage.

That they're band geeks is noticeable by the instruments they play--Sidoryk plays the french horn, Wodelet plays the bassoon and Reinhardt plays the oboe--but not by their high-energy performance.

It was like a party on stage, and they drew from the excitement of the packed grandstand.

"They were totally excited," Sidoryk said of the crowd. "It was really great. They've got so much energy, they were singing along, it was nice."

Reinhardt added that the show was, "So much fun, they were into the set from the moment we started. They were so much fun to play for."

They had no idea they would be opening for Carly Rae Jepsen a few days prior to the event, but a last-minute change of plans gave them the opportunity to perform at the fair.

At that time Sidoryk was in Vancouver, Wodelet was in Toronto and Reinhardt was in Kelowna, B.C.

Somehow they mobilized in time to get ready for their show, which turned out to be somewhat of a homecoming for Sidoryk, who moved away from the Border City when she was 11.

"There are definitely some familiar faces, and it's really nice," she said, adding that Sidney York performed at Colonial Days three years ago, though without the fanfare that Jepsen brought.

"We honestly had a blast. For me to come back...it feels like coming home and it's really nice to perform for such an awesome crowd."

To become the fun-loving trio with a pseudo-anagram of a name (Sidney York - Sidoryk), Reinhardt and Sidoryk met their bassoonist by luck.

"I was solo for quite a while," explained Sidoryk. "But Sheryl and I grew up together and always had done music together. We were in the Alberta honour jazz band together when we were young band geeks.

"Krista we met because her sister and I actually are also flight attendants together at WestJet. I said, 'I really need a bassoon for my band.' And she goes, 'My sister plays bassoon!' What are the odds I tell you? No one plays bassoon! And that's what happened. It was really great."

With two albums to their name already, the most recent being Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, expect to hear more from Sidney York in the future.

"We tour across Canada al the time, I mean, we've been back and forth across Canada a couple of times this year already and we just finished our last cross-country tour," added Sidoryk. "To have this be our last show before we go into the studio and start recording our next album was really special for me and I think it was special for all of us."

by Thomas Miller - Lloydminster Source

This has been our second successful time at Higher Learning – an event put on by Donnely Pub Group in collaboration with Beatroute Magazine. Despite the general aversion to Donnely Pubs from the underground music scene, this event has attracted some pretty great lineups in the past (see here for our review of Rococode’s show) . This week, Sidney York headlined with Daydream Johnny and Vows to open.



Daydream Johnny was a little heavy for us. I think seeing them at the Cobalt would have set the mood a bit better, and they still have lots of room to grow, but we’ll keep an eye on them in the up-rising garage rock scene.

Vows were an amazing combination of artists including Ashleigh Ball from Hey Ocean! and a drummer from The New Pornographers. The music was joyfull, danceable, and super cute. The violin added a melodic tone as well, I’d love to see these guys again for sure.

Side Note: This also completed my Hey Ocean! tri-force: I’ve never actually seen the band play live (together) but now I’ve seen each member perform on their own… do all 3 shows combined count as one HO! show? I doubt it. See David Vertesi and Dave Beckingham‘s reviews.)

Sidney York was exactly what we expected: cute, energetic, and somehow her voice sounded exactly like the recording. She sang in perfect tune even while jamming away on her ukulele. The interesting mix of basoon and oboe also made her set great, and a familiar face – Shaun from Rococode was on guitar (and his entire band was in the audience!)



Basically it was a significant turnout for indie night at a DG pub and we had a blast. We even tried our hand at a game of pool, much to my embarrassment. This is a great event that I would most certainly recommend! It was also nice to have Char back after her week-long absence and showing up to a few shows solo. Keep your eyes peeled on the crowd if you go , we’ve had some great local artist spotting in there. We encourage the low price-tag of 5$ for students and 3$ beers as well… much appreciated from the bottom of our student hearts!

by JB - Vancouver Music Review

It ended up being a busy Tuesday (of all nights) which resulted in a little bit of venue hopping. I was incredibly excited to see Sidney York for the first time, at the weekly Higher Learning shindig at Library Square, but first there was a stop at Electric Owl for Hair-E-Oke, an event centred around local photographer and all around awesome person Christine McAvoy chopping off 8 inches of her hair to donate to the Canadian Cancer Society.

But before she trimmed her trademark tresses, we were treated to a short set from Treelines. Even though it was only a handful of songs, they were as energetic as ever, with Matt Lockhart drenched in sweat two songs in. They played a trio of new songs, which should be out on an EP later on this year, that all sounded pretty cool; though for one of them, which was a bit of a slow burner, there were some speaker or audio problems that were a little distracting. The problem wasn't consistent through the set, but popped up again during the last song, "Ghost Towns". It wasn't enough to ruin the show, but was enough to be annoying. Despite that, it was the usual fun set that you get from Treelines.
They also mentioned that all proceeds from the sales of "When I Get Grown" from Bandcamp will also be going to the Canadian Cancer Society.

setlist
Summer Song, Linked Arms, "Banger", "Slow Burner", When I Get Grown, Young Man, Statuette, Ghost Town.
(two of these songs are as-yet-unnamed; can you guess which?)

From there it was a quick hop over to Library Square for Sidney York. Unfortunately I missed the opening band, Vows, the solo project of Chris Kelly (of White Knife né Analog Bell Service) and got there just at Sidney York's first song was wrapping up. Her backing band included members of Hey Ocean!, Beekeeper & Rococode and York went between guitar and keys, with the sound rounded out with a woodwind section with an oboe and a bassoon.

Before the show itself, though, I think Library Square is now officially one of my least favourite "venues" in the city, as the band is pretty much just set up in a weird corner of the pub, and the sound was really not that great. At all. But despite that, Sidney York put on one hell of a show. Everyone in the band was full of energy, but especially Sidney, who had a great presence, and was incredibly captivating.

The first song was "Dick & Jane", which I was sad to have all but missed, but she hit just about every song off her new album, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, which has been my favourite "surprise" albums of the year. The infectious "Roll With Me" and somewhat dark "Math & Fractions" were a couple of highlights. Mid way through the band took a break and Sidney played "Falling" from her first album solo, which was a fantastic showcase of her vocal talents. The band came back and wrapped up the set with a pair of songs that York introduced as a bad way to react to to a breakup, "Stalker", and a good way to react, "Mile High Love", which is one of my favourites off the album. After the usual fake-leaving, they came back out for the expected encore -- with Devon Lougheed even lampshading the whole practice -- for another song that was (I think) off the first album, and was a good song to end the set on.

Mediocre sound notwithstanding, Sidney York and her band put on a really good show, and I can't wait to see her again, hopefully at a better venue. And hopefully sooner rather than later. If it was this enjoyable at a place like Library Square, I can only imagine what it would sound like at somewhere like the Media Club or Biltmore.

setlist
Dick & Jane, Doctor Doctor, Tea As It Should Be, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, Math & Fractions, Falling, Cold In Here, Roll With Me, Stalker, Mile High Love.
(encore) [mystery song]

by Kirk Cameron - 3AM Revelations

* Album: Apocalyptic Radio Cynic
* Label: Independent
* Rating: 3.5 / 5

Attention pop music lovers: Sidney York has the formula for perfect pop hooks.

York is Calgary music teacher and singer/songwriter Brandi Sidoryk's stage name, and her Apocalyptic Radio Cynic sophomore album will hook you in no time.

York's sound blends Metric's indie guitar pop and the sexy playfulness of Hawksley Workman. With Mother Mother's Ryan Guldemond and Jasmin Parkin joining the party, there's a Mother Mother vibe in there, too.

York adds a twist or two. The dry chuckle of a ukelele enlivens the naughty "Doctor Doctor" and the sickeningly sweet closer "Dick & Jane" (prediction: next song to feature in a car commercial).

She needs to work on her sass factor, though. The music teacher sounds like she's singing to her students on jazz-lounge cuts like "Adrian" and the aforementioned "Doctor Doctor"; she needs to sound more like she's singing to a lover.

The lyrics on Apocalyptic Radio Cynic have their moments — "I'll wear my moccasins, you'll bring your expensive taste, you bring your square peg, and I'll bring my roundish space," York sings on "Roll With Me" — but they're not nearly as brash and funny as they were on her eponymous debut.

York's done her job as a songwriter. How you like it depends on how sugary you prefer it. Like it or not, your head will be swimming with sickeningly sweet pop hooks all day long.

By Jody McCutcheon - CHARTattack

Well, how many posts can I start this way? It’s been way too long, but I’ve finally got something together here, to share with you wonderful folks out there. This is gonna be a pretty random, and completely packed post. I figure I’m just gonna write about everything I want to share, rather than try and save any of it for another day (cause who knows when the hell that will come?!).

First up is Sidney York, and her brand new album, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic. With no shortage of musical experience, Brandi Sidoryk has put together one beautiful full length. She is calling a few spots in Western Canada home right now, and I'm sure they are all very proud of the talented songstress. Funny enough, the self titled "Apocalyptic Radio Cynic" is probably my favourite tune on the album, it's just effing gorgeous! Look for it at the end of the month. - Island Soap Box

Brandi Sidoryk is Sidney York, an Alberta-born musician whose latest release, Apocalyptic Radio Cynic will soon be released on May 24, 2011.

Press+1’s Alex Hutt chatted with her on the upcoming album and her change of musical style.

By Alexander Hutt



Sidney York is the pseudonym of Brandi Sidoryk, a Calgary-raised indie singer-songwriter. She was classically trained in opera and music, which is apparent in her expansive choice of instruments—including the oboe and bassoon—ones that indie artists usually avoid. These choices add to her quirky, cheeky sound.

York: That’s been my goal from the avant-pop side of things. I’ve always written tongue-in-cheek lyrics and they go well with my upbeat, quirky, pop style. I love to have the French horn, bassoon or oboe in my tunes because it harkens back to my classical roots. I love those sounds. They aren’t standard to indie pop because people tend to shy away from them.

York: I knew the music wasn’t going to be something that radio really grasped onto. I like that idea of writing whatever comes out of my head and not writing for something to put on the radio. [For the song], the image that popped into my head was of a commercial DJ who all of a sudden wakes up and wonders “What contribution have I made to the music industry?” “Apocalyptic” is probably an exaggeration, but I always want to grow and evolve my music and not be stuck in the same cynical cycle that you can fall into.

This industry is weird and wonderful in a great and sometimes terrifying way and you often don’t know what you’re doing. Those that say they do are lying. The industry is changing; some people are trying to maintain the old ideals while some are trying to go beyond them. I’m one of those people who loves to ask anybody their opinion on what they have done in music so I can learn as much as I can.

Apocalyptic Radio Cynic marks a change in York’s musical style, as she shifts to pop rock, along with some of the original acoustic indie still in the blend.

York: I think for my first album I was so focused on doing indie and classical music and I didn’t have a lot of experience in the process of making an album. So I sat back and let things happen. I lost some of me in the process. The whole goal of [Apocalyptic Radio Cynic] was to have a strong sense of myself on this album. I had three producers on the album (Ryan Guldemond, Russell Broom and JR Gwilliam) so there is variation in the sound for that reason. I think Ryan, Russell and Josh really found some sort of unity for the album and I love the work they did.

“Doctor, Doctor” is an interesting track because listening to the cheekily sexual lyrics, you might not guess that it’s about the swine flu.

York: On my second cross-Canada tour I went with Kaley Bird and Amy Thiessen, and Kaley got the swine flu. We had to leave her behind in Fredericton after we checked her into a hospital. Amy and I went on to Halifax and St. John’s and picked her up on the way back. It was painful watching her go through an awful time. At the same time, I was going through a relationship transition, and sometimes being in a relationship is as bad as having the swine flu. It can be amazing but it can also be draining and consume you.

It’s no secret that relationships have been a subject of pop music since its inception, and a significant reason for that are their connection to polarizing emotions.

York: I tend to be driven to sing about anything that reflects the extremes in my life. Anything that creates emotional outbursts I feel inspired by. I tend to be a roller coaster girl in my own right; I’m very up and down emotionally and I like to feel all the lows and the highs. When I put pen to paper or sit down at the keyboard relationships just fall into that category. I am pretty passionate about politics and other subjects but people don’t want to hear about my monthly loan payment.

York amusingly quips that if she did, that she could be a country musician …

York: The next album could be a country one with songs like my dog dying. (laughs) I grew up in Alberta and my dad is a huge country fan. He wants me to make a song about a guy on a horse riding through a field. My answer is usually “Okay, I’ll think about it…” (laughs)

One of the driving songs behind Apocalyptic Radio Cynic is the single “Dick & Jane,” which has an accompanying video with a 60s comic-book feel, all shot in one take.

York: I definitely think the 1960s are a great era. I’ve wanted to do something in one take for a while, it’s a fun thing that you can post on YouTube. The video is built for my online fans. We worked all day with about a hundred people to get the one take done, and we wanted something campy and cartoony. It was so much fun to bring friends and fans out to make a video together. It also reflects how my music always starts out with myself in a solitary space, then everyone but the kitchen sink is in the middle, then it’s me by myself - Press Plus 1

As is the way life goes, things only seem to get busier right when you think they will calm down. I’ve got several albums to review (Folk Thief, Crossing Lions, Nat Jay), an interview to transcribe and post, as well as the West Coast Pop show tonight featuring Yukon Blonde, along with Sun Wizard and Redbird that I’m going to be reviewing for VanMusic.ca. Exciting times in the music blogosphere indeed, but busy nonetheless.

So to tide you over, here are some fantastic Tunes o’ the Week (well, maybe it’s been a month since I posted some new tunes for the Tunes o’ the Week spot, sue me) It’s going to be very difficult for me to narrow it down to only 5 songs that are rockin’ my ear drums right now.

But I’ll do the best I can. (**Don’t forget to click on the song titles for links to the Youtube videos**)

Fresh Track:

Manchester Orchestra – Simple Math – This song is so new that the album it’s on isn’t even released yet but to be fair, it’s been spinning on the local FM dial for almost a month. I still consider it pretty damn “fresh”, and it is a solid tune with some odd lyrics. These boys from Atlanta, GA know how to rock a creepy ballad.

Oldie But Goodie:

Fleetwood Mac – Never Going Back Again – I have to thank Glee for doing a respectable job of covering one of my favourite’s of all time. This version actually gives me shivers, though. Shivers.

Absolutely Indie:

Ladyhawk – I Don’t Always Know What You’re Saying — Don’t let the name fool you, this isn’t Ladyhawke, the female singer from New Zealand, but the indie rock outfit from Kelowna, BC. Giving credit where credit is due, Jeff Innes of Yukon Blonde introduced me to these guys, and I love their grungy, moody, apathetic sound. Give it a listen!

Leading Ladies:

Sidney York – Dick & Jane — This is just in case you have not yet read my bio/review of the next indie pop sensation, Sidney York. If you have not read it, read it! If you haven’t listened to this song, you are really missing out on something awesome.

Brutally Honest Track:

Brett Dennen – Sydney (I’ll Come Running) — I will be the first to admit that I did NOT like this song at first. Partly because I didn’t want to like it (isn’t that snobbery at its finest?), but I’m so glad that it got pounded into my ears because it’s so much fun. As the Brutally Honest Track, give it 3 listens and if it hasn’t ear-wormed it’s way into your head, I’ll give you money.

-Dylan - More Than a Feeling

Sidney York may be relatively unknown in the realm of popular music, but just you wait.

With the help of Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother) on guitars, and partly behind the overall production of the album, as well as the masterful mixing of Howard Redekopp (New Pornographers, Hannah Georgas, Mother Mother) there’s no doubt Apocalyptic Radio Cynic is on the cusp of becoming very well-known in the indie pop circuit, once it’s released on May 24th. But perhaps I’m getting a little ahead of myself, let me back up.

Sidney York, who’s actual name is Brandi Sidoryk, hails from Calgary, Alberta but she’s been spending a lot more time in the epicentre of the Canadian independent music scene, Vancouver, and for good reason. There’s very little argument that Vancouver, and BC in general is home to some of Canada’s greatest independent talent, so Sidney’s appearance out on the great pacific shoreline should come as no surprise.

Sidney has been at this music game for a little while, as she released a self-titled album back in August of 2009 (which I will assume was her official debut), and even released a few music videos in support. The biggest difference you will hear from the Sidney York of 2009 to Sidney York of 2011 is a transformation from a singer/songwriter style of album to an outright quirky, pop-rock songstress. And don’t let my lousy attempts at genre classification dissuade you, because her pop-rocky-ness isn’t the glitz and glam of Katy Perry or Lady Gaga. She’s much less self-indulgent.

Take for example, the fourth track on Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, Mile High Love. York croons over some uptempo percussion and catchy keyboards, and is accompanied by some talk-singing echos of “You get me!”, which reminded me a little of Hannah Georgas‘ Bang Bang You’re Dead. This particular tune is one that could very easily make it onto most radio playlists as it’s a little pop, a little indie, and a little rock.

Just before the aforementioned pop rock goodness of Mile High Love, Sidney shows us a different side of her many musical personalities with Doctor, Doctor. This song is jazzy, sultry and so smokey that after listening to it, my mouth tastes like I’ve been breathing in cigar smoke while sitting in a gentleman’s club and observing the scandalous. The perfect bachelor party tune? Full of innuendo with lines like “Please infect me”, “He tickles my throat” and “Unbandage me”, I’m pretty sure this song isn’t actually about going to the doctor for clinical healing…

Miss York also shows us a bit of her darker, more brooding side with such tracks as Cold In Here and Tea As It Should Be. The former actually being the album opener is a little Mother Mother-esque and one of my favourites on the album. The tracks Math and Fractions and Roll With Me are a unique combination of musical solidity and a dash of fun (as is most of her album). And they will no doubt keep you humming them for the rest of the day.

But the mother of them all, the song that will propel Sidney York to indie pop rock fame is Dick & Jane. It is the album closer. It is the song that introduced me to her and it is a terribly, terribly catchy ditty. Wow, I’m even using the word “ditty”, thanks Sid. This tune’s got me smiling, dancing, whistling, singing, bobbing, weaving and building Lego all at the same time. It is so much fun and so musically satisfying, I’m so glad she saved her best for last. I only wish it was a little longer because at two minutes and nineteen seconds, it’s merely a tease.

Ladies and gentlemen, you have now been formally introduced to Sidney York, so when Apocalyptic Radio Cynic drops on iTunes, Amazon and in all the endangered record stores on May 24th, 2011, be sure to give it a listen, and if you like it, buy it!

-Dylan Redekopp - More Than a Feeling

Sidney York is one of the finest musicians you’ve never heard of.

York is the alter ego of Brandi Sidoryk, a classically trained opera singer and music teacher from Calgary, Alberta. Growing up in the Canadian prairies, she studied Music Education at the University of Toronto and earned her Master of Music from the University of Melbourne. She’s also released two albums into the indie-pop scene.

Her second album Apocalyptic Radio Cynic, takes the best of Metric, Joni Mitchell and Hawksley Workman, and translates it into her own, classically trained musical voice, one that incorporates oboes, bassoons, and French horns.

York shows her versatility on Apocalyptic Radio Cynic. It shifts dramatically between a variety of moods and genres, such as cold and complacent on the opening track Cold In Here, along with the album being ladled in rich orchestral layers, heavy guitars and light indie-pop vocals.

Listeners will also see an improvement with the lyrics from her eponymous debut album. The lyrics and music compliment each other throughout the record with the incorporation of witty lyrics and an innate construction of a pop song.

York drew her inspiration for new songs driving the long stretches of Canadian highway.

“I started writing the album when I was on tour for my first album. I tend to write really well when I am driving because its somewhere I find to be incredibly meditative,” said York.

Just as radio stations need a constant supply of new music to play what audiences enjoy, record labels need the radio stations to play their albums in order to sell them.

“The inspiration for the album title came from the idea of the radio, it’s an entire entity in the music industry. When I was writing the album, it was something I didn’t really understand and it was me exploring that idea further,” said York.

The album features a cornucopia of thoughts and feelings that allow the listener to experience the vast palate of York’s thought process.

“Its really a mixed bag thematically. The first tune from the album, Cold in Here, is a musical personification of robbery and a violation and that was an ultra-dark topic for me to write about. But whether the song was innately dark or upbeat, the idea was to keep every a little tongue and cheek because I try not to take myself too seriously,” said York.

Upon the release of Apocalyptic Radio Cynic on May 24th, York will embark on a yet-to-be-announced cross-Canada tour to support the album from June through August.

“Well, I am adding more dates for my upcoming tour and I plan to begin the tour in June and finish up in August. I think that I am going to judge my future plans but on where this album and tour takes me. I don’t want to look too far ahead, too eagerly, and as soon as this tour cycle is over, I should be ready for a new tour and perhaps a new album,” said York.

Check her out.

by Curtis Sindrey - Travis Magazine

Sidney York's songs echo in your mind, without irritation, long after they are finished playing, and that's the mark of a great songwriter. - D.D. Rocker, CKCU 93.1FM, Ottawa, Ontario

Starting off the acoustic/country/folk showcase at Holy Joe’s, Sidney York and her band fit into a little bit of all three categories and was quite impressive. York (the alter ego of Alberta musician Brandi Sidoryk) handled both singing and acoustic guitar quite well, with her Feist-like breathy vocals adding a bit of a pop twist. She also switched over to the banjo for the song “Stalker,” which York said was about how not to break up with someone and insisted it wasn’t based on her real life. A catchy little tune that, much like the Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” is best served when not taking the subject matter all too seriously. York was also friendly in between songs with the small but satisfied audience, with the occasional joke or anecdote. Her vocals soared on the band’s final song, “Safe in Sound,” with bassist Neil Dorin and keyboardist Teri Bodnar joining in on background vocals. The Calgary group definitely made their trek east for Indie Week worth it.
--Jon Brazeau - Spill Magazine

"And then, from out of nowhere, comes the wonderful Sidney York. How do we peg Ms. York? Hmm. She's a booking agent's dream. Folk, jazz, rock, a tiny dash of country, comedy, drama, tragedy, joy - all wrapped up in an alluring, charming, kind, gentle and complex package."
--Mike Norman, producer and musician
http://mikenormanmusician.blogspot.com/
February 13, 2009 - Mike Norman

Winner - Old Pro Category - South Country Fair

The first thought that comes to mind when listening to this compilation of songs from Sidney York is coffee shop, jazzy backdrop music. On second glance, that is an unfair characterization.

Sidney York is the brainchild and alter ego of Brandi Sidoryk, a classically trained opera singer and music teacher from Calgary, Alberta. After spending her childhood in the Canadian prairies, she obtained a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Toronto and a Master of Music from the University of Melbourne. To complete her double life, Sidoryk/York is also one of the board of directors for the Alberta Music Education Foundation, appears in classical and jazz performances, and plays the French horn.

Sidoryk's duality in life comes out in her folk singer-songwriter contributions to her debut album as Sidney York. Having a distinctly folk and jazz flavour, the majority of the songs play on opposite spectrums of emotions. The opening track "The Waiting Song" is hopeful yet sad, in both lyrics and in tempo and melody. "Fallin'" is soft and melodic, but at the same time has a prominent melancholy feel. "He Said, She Said" has a energetic harmonica counter balanced by the story of a break-up. The styles don't duel for space though; rather, they complement each other.

Produced and recorded in Vancouver, British Colombia, the album hosts many talents, including producer and musician Mike Norman, who plays seven instruments on the release and lends back up vocals as well. In true singer-wongwriter fashion, Sidoryk wrote all of the songs except "He Said, She Said", co-written with her sister Teri Bodnar.

York's talent for creating lyrics is apparent in the songs, even if only some might be able to pick them out of the music. Her vocals are understated, but are also very pleasant to the ear. "Safe In Sound" and "Buddy" are two examples of this, as some listeners may lose interest in the lyrics and focus more of the melody, which in the case of "Buddy" are harrowing and haunting.

Still, a solid album with originality and play between genres and moods.

Track Listing:

1. The Waiting Song
2. Fallin'
3. My Name is Karma
4. Safe in Sound
5. On Punctuality
6. Mortimer
7. The Art of Being Lost
8. He Said She Said
9. Too Late
10. Buddy
11. Stalker

reviewed by Alexander Hutt
http://www.pressplus1.com/music-reviews/sidney-york-sidney-york.html - Alexander Hutt, Press Plus 1

Sidney York's eponymous debut CD provides a fun, catchy musical romp through the emotional "clutter" (her imagery) that complicates the thoughts of the conflicted. York writes with wit and affection and the expected cynicism or cliche that one might expect. Not many can pulled off lyrical hooks "karmic consequences" with the eloquence York breezes through.

Writing primarily about relationships, York entreaties the listener to root for her, empathize and occasionally offer a shoulder of "there there." York takes us on a journey of longing to pure joy to an ending of mock concern for the well-being of all involved. Long story short, rather than a collection of dis-connected pop, "Sidney York" is a disc that's a 45-minute short story.

The music supports the lyrics with a lush though not overdone musical image. Pure pop, a little country-fried banjo, and probably a jazz chord thrown in for good measure. On "Stalker" for example, the banjo (the happiest instrument on Earth) counterpoints the obsessive character for which we end up feeling sympathy. York and co-producer seem keenly aware of the mood they need to strike with each track.

Overall, the disc reminds me of Wojewoda's early CD's with the BNL, demonstrating a clear, straightforward acting as a core to York's apple of emotional clutter. One might pine for a smidge of grit, even anger, in some of the proceedings but I get the feeling there's enough of that elsewhere. York should be commended for venting a little and leaving us still feeling not too bad about life in general.

"... a fun catchy romp... pure pop."

Russell Bowers
CBC Radio
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=280761398293

- Russell Bowers, CBC Radio

Winner - Best Untapped Newcomer
- Calgary FolkFest

Semi-Finalist - Folk/Singer-Songwriter Category - http://www.100-music-songwriting-contest.com/semi-finalists-2008

Semi-finalist - Folk/Country Category - http://www.songwritingcontest.co.uk