Basia lyjak
Encyclopedia
Basia Lyjak is a first generation Polish-Canadian rock singer-songwriter from Toronto, Ontario.
After graduating from secondary school, Basia auditioned for an all-girl group called "Aphrodisia," put together by Sky (Canadian band)
founders, James Renald and Antoine Sicotte. She and three other girls were picked out of thousands of applicants, and went on to be briefly managed by the duo in Montreal, until management changed hands. The group were then flown to New York to record a 5-song demo, produced by The Berman Bros. of EuroSyndicate Productions. and it was around this time that Basia branched out on her own and began to pursue a career as a solo artist.
Despite being proud of the milestone of her first album, Basia still wasn't certain that the songs represented where she wanted to be as an artist and songwriter. At this time she took a break from her solo project and joined a cover band called Wednesday Adams, where she continued to hone her voice by performing songs by artists like No Doubt
, Veruca Salt (band)
, Tracy Bonham
, Pat Benatar
and Guns N' Roses
, to name a few.
The EP was released on February 2, 2007, at Toronto's ElMocambo Tavern, at Basia's first headlining show since her Wednesday Adams days.
(currently starring in Spring Awakening
), was recorded with producer Brian Moncarz, who has worked with artists like The Junction
, Pilot Speed
, .moneen. and more, and currently co-owns Rattlebox Studios with producer David Bottrill
, whose credits include Tool
, Silverchair
and Mudvayne
. A video was released for the song on March 14, 2009 during Basia's Canadian Music Week
showcase. It was directed by Ryan M. Andrews of Blackguardism Creations, filmed by cinematographer Carl Elster of Forever Epic Films, visually designed by Stacey Laureyessens of theOriginalFace.ca and costumed by Mila Starr at Metal Star Fashion.
demo grant, resulting in the June 2009 single "What It Feels Like," again co-written with her Don't Talk collaborator Kyle Riabko
. In November 2009, she released another single, "Never Wanted Anything," co-written with Norm Sabourin of Aqua Sound Studios. The track features a guitar solo by Sabourin, who also served as producer, and backing vocals by Toronto R&B/soul star Kim Davis
.
In addition to these releases and gigging in Ontario, 2009 also saw Basi"a branch out into scoring for TV and video games. She, Ron and Dave can be heard on the theme song for the Down Under travel show, Jill & Stacey Do The Roo," as well as the trailer for "The Game Cartel" video game.
In December 2009, CanClone.ca released a rock mix of their Christmas song (originally recorded, but not released, in 2008), with Basia singing the track.
According to her website, Basia also spent several months away from her home in Toronto - she lived briefly in Calgary, Alberta to check out the west coast music scene, with support from Calgary Motor Coach, who supply tour buses to many major acts passing through Canada.
In the fall of 2010, Basia received her second FACTOR
grant.
's contribution. Basia also completed a fourth track called "Sick N' Tired" with former Nelly Furtado
and Klooch member, Yurko Mychaluk. "Sunshine" was released in May 2011 and "Sick N' Tired" in August 2011. A video for "Hero" was shot with Karma Pictures and director of photography John Holosko in May 2011 for a winter 2011 release.
Basia, as a solo artist, is backed by a series of leading Canadian musicians, including Ron Bechard (of Sin Dealer, Crash Karma
, formerly of Edwin (musician)
and Edwin & the Pressure, briefly of Three Days Grace
) on guitars, Dave Carreiro (of Nigel's 11 with Chris Kirkpatrick
) on bass, Dale Harrison (Headstones (band), Alannah Myles
) on drums and multi-instrumentalist Pat Kelly on backing vocals and keyboards. Other present and past musicians who play for Lyjak include bassists and guitarists Darryl "Daz" Coppins, Andrew Lauzon, James Naro and Deacon Day and drummers Glenn Nash, Jeff Zurba, Chris Lesso.
- Sick N' Tired (August 30, 2011)
- Sunshine (May 10, 2011)
2010:
- Where Is The Love? - by Spoila Ranks, featuring various artists, including Basia Lyjak
- Waiting - a song for the troops (performed by Basia Lyjak, written by Peter Haley)
- Santa's Been (Never Again) - rock mix (CanClone.ca's Christmas song performed, though not written, by Basia)
2009:
- Santa's Been - Never Again (CanClone.ca's Christmas song performed, though not written, by Basia)
- Never Wanted Anything single (November 11, 2009)
- What It Feels Like single (June 19, 2009)
2008:
- Don't Talk Single (March 20, 2008)
2007:
- Writings on the Wall (February 2, 2007)
- Metal Queen Management Compilation Vol. 3
2002:
- Basia Lyjak EP
Biography
Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, Basia has said she was singing before she could speak. Music was always a passion for her throughout her childhood and teens, and she was always active in in the art in whatever capacity she could be, in and out of school.After graduating from secondary school, Basia auditioned for an all-girl group called "Aphrodisia," put together by Sky (Canadian band)
Sky (Canadian band)
Sky was an R&B-influenced pop music group from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The duo originally consisted of James Renald and Antoine Sicotte. Both were songwriters, producers and multi-instrumentalists, who met in 1992 at a music engineering school in Montreal...
founders, James Renald and Antoine Sicotte. She and three other girls were picked out of thousands of applicants, and went on to be briefly managed by the duo in Montreal, until management changed hands. The group were then flown to New York to record a 5-song demo, produced by The Berman Bros. of EuroSyndicate Productions. and it was around this time that Basia branched out on her own and began to pursue a career as a solo artist.
"Basia Lyjak"
After leaving Aphrodisia, Basia began to apply what she had learned from the experience to her songwriting and began collaboration and pre-production on her self-titled first album. The 6-song EP was released in 2002.Despite being proud of the milestone of her first album, Basia still wasn't certain that the songs represented where she wanted to be as an artist and songwriter. At this time she took a break from her solo project and joined a cover band called Wednesday Adams, where she continued to hone her voice by performing songs by artists like No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
, Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock band founded in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999...
, Tracy Bonham
Tracy Bonham
Tracy Bonham is an American alternative rock musician best known for her 1996 single "Mother Mother".Raised in Eugene, Oregon, Bonham is a classically-trained violinist and pianist...
, Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar is an American singer and four-time Grammy winner. She had considerable commercial success particularly in the United States...
and Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
, to name a few.
Writings on the Wall
In 2005, Basia began jamming and collaborating with just about anyone who was up for it, and the seeds for Writings on the Wall were planted. Pre-production began at Studio8 in Toronto, with longtime friend Jeff Iantorno, and eventually moved to DC Music, where the songs were recorded and produced by Bombay Doors bassist Andrew Lauzon.The EP was released on February 2, 2007, at Toronto's ElMocambo Tavern, at Basia's first headlining show since her Wednesday Adams days.
Don't Talk single
Basia released the single Don't Talk in 2008 as a follow-up to Writings on the Wall. The song, co-written with Kyle RiabkoKyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko is a Canadian pop singer, guitarist, and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He resides in New York City....
(currently starring in Spring Awakening
Spring Awakening
Spring Awakening is a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1892 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind. It features music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven Sater. Set in late-19th century Germany, it concerns teenagers who are discovering the inner and outer tumult of...
), was recorded with producer Brian Moncarz, who has worked with artists like The Junction
The Junction
The Junction is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, that is near the junction of four railway lines in the area known as the West Toronto Diamond. The neighbourhood was previously an independent city called West Toronto, that was also its own federal electoral district until amalgamating...
, Pilot Speed
Pilot Speed
Pilot Speed is a Canadian rock band that formed in 1999 in Toronto, Ontario. The quartet's debut EP, For All That's Given, Wasted, was released in 2001 which gathered attention from MapleMusic Recordings who later signed them...
, .moneen. and more, and currently co-owns Rattlebox Studios with producer David Bottrill
David Bottrill
David Bottrill is a Canadian record producer. He has won three Grammys. Currently, he owns Rattlebox Studios in Toronto, Ontario with producer Brian Moncarz...
, whose credits include Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, Silverchair
Silverchair
Silverchair were an Australian rock band, which formed in 1992 as Innocent Criminals in Merewether, Newcastle with the line-up of Ben Gillies on drums, Chris Joannou on bass guitar and Daniel Johns on vocals and guitars. The group got their big break in mid-1994 when they won a national demo...
and Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
. A video was released for the song on March 14, 2009 during Basia's Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over four days in various venues throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
showcase. It was directed by Ryan M. Andrews of Blackguardism Creations, filmed by cinematographer Carl Elster of Forever Epic Films, visually designed by Stacey Laureyessens of theOriginalFace.ca and costumed by Mila Starr at Metal Star Fashion.
2009
Basia announced in April 2009 that she was awarded a FACTORFACTOR
FACTOR is a "private non-profit organization, ... dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian independent recording industry" ....
demo grant, resulting in the June 2009 single "What It Feels Like," again co-written with her Don't Talk collaborator Kyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko is a Canadian pop singer, guitarist, and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He resides in New York City....
. In November 2009, she released another single, "Never Wanted Anything," co-written with Norm Sabourin of Aqua Sound Studios. The track features a guitar solo by Sabourin, who also served as producer, and backing vocals by Toronto R&B/soul star Kim Davis
Kim Davis
Kim Davis is a retired Canadian ice hockey centre. He played in a total of 36 National Hockey League games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs.-External links:...
.
In addition to these releases and gigging in Ontario, 2009 also saw Basi"a branch out into scoring for TV and video games. She, Ron and Dave can be heard on the theme song for the Down Under travel show, Jill & Stacey Do The Roo," as well as the trailer for "The Game Cartel" video game.
In December 2009, CanClone.ca released a rock mix of their Christmas song (originally recorded, but not released, in 2008), with Basia singing the track.
2010
While Basia released solo material at the tail end of 2009, she did not release any solo material in 2010. Instead, she lent her voice to a few other artists' projects. Basia can be heard on "Waiting," a song for the troops written by Peter Haley. Two mixes of the song were released, with proceeds dedicated to the Wounded Warriors Fund. The track showcases a mournful, country side of Basia's range and timbre not widely heard in her own solo material. Following "Waiting," Basia teamed up with R&B artist Spoila Ranks for his track "Where Is The Love," which also featured a slew of fellow Toronto talent.According to her website, Basia also spent several months away from her home in Toronto - she lived briefly in Calgary, Alberta to check out the west coast music scene, with support from Calgary Motor Coach, who supply tour buses to many major acts passing through Canada.
In the fall of 2010, Basia received her second FACTOR
FACTOR
FACTOR is a "private non-profit organization, ... dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian independent recording industry" ....
grant.
2011
Over the course of the end of 2010 and until the early spring of 2011, Basia was recording with producer Steve Major at Wellesley Sound Studios, recording three tracks ("Sunshine," "Hero" and "Yeah Yeah Yeah") made possible because of FACTORFACTOR
FACTOR is a "private non-profit organization, ... dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian independent recording industry" ....
's contribution. Basia also completed a fourth track called "Sick N' Tired" with former Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
and Klooch member, Yurko Mychaluk. "Sunshine" was released in May 2011 and "Sick N' Tired" in August 2011. A video for "Hero" was shot with Karma Pictures and director of photography John Holosko in May 2011 for a winter 2011 release.
Basia, as a solo artist, is backed by a series of leading Canadian musicians, including Ron Bechard (of Sin Dealer, Crash Karma
Crash Karma
Crash Karma is a Canadian rock supergroup formed in 2008 consisting of Edwin , Mike Turner , Jeff Burrows , and Amir Epstein of Zygote. The band's first full live concert was held in Burlington, Ontario on June 20, 2009. Their first single "Awake" premiered on July 10, 2009...
, formerly of Edwin (musician)
Edwin (musician)
Edwin is a Canadian alternative rock singer and solo artist from Toronto, and former lead vocalist for I Mother Earth. He was on the band's first two albums, and was also on the majority of the songs on Victor, a 1996 side project from Alex Lifeson of Rush. He went solo in late 1997 and released...
and Edwin & the Pressure, briefly of Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
) on guitars, Dave Carreiro (of Nigel's 11 with Chris Kirkpatrick
Chris Kirkpatrick
Christopher Alan "Chris" Kirkpatrick is an American singer, dancer, entertainer, and voice actor who is best known as a founding member of the pop group 'N Sync in which he sang counter tenor. He has provided the voice for many kids shows, including the voice of Chip Skylark on The Fairly Odd...
) on bass, Dale Harrison (Headstones (band), Alannah Myles
Alannah Myles
Alannah Myles is a Canadian singer-songwriter, the daughter of Canadian broadcast pioneer William Douglas Byles. In 1989, she released her eponymous debut album...
) on drums and multi-instrumentalist Pat Kelly on backing vocals and keyboards. Other present and past musicians who play for Lyjak include bassists and guitarists Darryl "Daz" Coppins, Andrew Lauzon, James Naro and Deacon Day and drummers Glenn Nash, Jeff Zurba, Chris Lesso.
Discography
2011:- Sick N' Tired (August 30, 2011)
- Sunshine (May 10, 2011)
2010:
- Where Is The Love? - by Spoila Ranks, featuring various artists, including Basia Lyjak
- Waiting - a song for the troops (performed by Basia Lyjak, written by Peter Haley)
- Santa's Been (Never Again) - rock mix (CanClone.ca's Christmas song performed, though not written, by Basia)
2009:
- Santa's Been - Never Again (CanClone.ca's Christmas song performed, though not written, by Basia)
- Never Wanted Anything single (November 11, 2009)
- What It Feels Like single (June 19, 2009)
2008:
- Don't Talk Single (March 20, 2008)
2007:
- Writings on the Wall (February 2, 2007)
- 1. Stuttering
- 2. Bye Bye
- 3. Plastic
- 4. Torn
- 5. Lies
- Metal Queen Management Compilation Vol. 3
2002:
- Basia Lyjak EP
- 1 Waiting For You
- 2 Invincible
- 3 Stuck
- 4 Sometimes
- 5 Open Space
- 6 I'll Call You
Interviews
- Basia Lyjak writings on the Wall-Toronto Music Scene