Sydney Wayser
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Influences
Sounds Like
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Sydney Wayser is a singer/songwriter currently based out of New York (according to her myspace and tour dates). Her debut album is called Silent Parade and was released last April.
The first thing that strikes you when you hear her sing is that she sounds amazingly like Beth Orton (maybe a little Fiona Apple?). The more you listen to her, you forget the comparison and instead just enjoy the songs.
There’s a couple of tracks I wanted to use for this article. I thought the lead track, “Papa Don’t Worry”, is a really good track to start off the record. The song seems to be a letter to her French father and American mother, telling them that she’s finally grown up and they needn’t worry about her.
You can download this track, as well as a few others, on her myspace.
The other song I wanted to use is her Amelie-inspired song, “Place De La Bastille”. Wayser describes the song as:
Jean-Pierre Jeunet uses striking colors to create a repetitive pattern through the film. Occasionally he introduces light blue, a more subtle color to symbolize something significant, but hidden when blinded by the red and green. I thought this was an analog for finding some of life’s more crucial elements, buried amidst all the distraction of our days.
Listening to the song, you can hear the influences: the appearance of the accordion, that particular rhythm… and, of course, the French lyrics. I am sure her French is flawless, but I can’t help think the French part sounds too American?
Good news is that you can catch her at some live dates if you live in the area. I’m almost sure when she plays live, she’s joined on stage by celloist Yoed Nir, guitarist Adam Tressler, special fx Pat Spadine, and “hittables” Zach Mangan. I’m not sure what hit tables are, but I’m assuming it’s some kind of drums or percussion?
Live
01/18/08
- 169 Bar New York
01/26/08
- Rockwood Music Hall New York
01/31/08
- The New Leaf Cafe Washington Heights, NY
02/06/08
- Bowery Poetry Club New York
02/19/08
- Rockwood Music Hall New York
02/28/08
- R Bar New York
If you don’t live in the area, you can pick up her album via cdbaby and on various outlets, including amazon (MP3) (currently selling for $8.99 for 12 songs).
PS, special thanks to Alex B, for sending that beautiful picture of Syndey and the goose. The photograph was taken by Liz Linder, who’s taken photos of Bettie Serveert among others.
01/12/2008 15:38:41 vu my♥posts 
www.sydneywayser.com myspace.com