Basia Lyjak 'Rockin Out'
Issue 13, February 2010
Canadian rock singer Basia Lyjak has a sound that is being broadcasted internationally through social networking sites. Even with the new direction music has taken, Basia has a foundation that makes her sound unique. Since 2002 the artists has been bringing music to the masses and is currently working a project to help the people of Haiti. Basia sat down with Corinne Lyons of D.A.M. magazine to talk about the project, her music and her inspiration.
D.A.M.: What first got you into music?
Basia: Listening to my Grandfather sing; his voice was just beautiful! He didn't play an instrument but he sang old Polish folk songs to me at a very early age, and the emotion in his delivery is what I remember most - it's what I project today as a vocalist. I wish I could thank him for giving me that passion; it's not something you can just pull out of your a**!
D.A.M.: Who did you listen to growing up?
Basia: I grew up listening to a huge spectrum of music in the form of my dad's record collection, and I just soaked it all up like a sponge. He had records ranging from Roy Orbison, Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and Elvis to Motown... anything from the 50's to the 70's. My family had a massive influence on what I listened to from my older sister to my uncle and the neighbors across the street. D.A.M.: Why did you want to become a music artist?
Basia: Madonna! That woman gave me the drive to want to sell records, play stadiums and have balls in this business. She came to town to play a show (The Virgin Tour) and my mom bought me tickets for my birthday. I was freaking out because I had watched the videos, played her records over and over and I wanted to see the real deal live. I will never forget the moment she walked out on the stage, the lights went up and the show began, and from that moment I knew that I wanted to be in this business.
D.A.M.: Why is music so important to you?
Basia: It's what keeps me going every day. I live, breathe, sleep and dream music; it's very deep and intimate the feeling. I believe it heals people, and the fact that it's universally understood speaks volumes.
D.A.M.: Who are your main influences now?
Basia: For me, I'm usually influenced by the song itself rather than by the person performing it. When I was younger I had my idols but now I have come to realize it's all about the song and sometimes the artists/bands performing that song aren't the ones who wrote it. I don't believe in writing genre specific anymore.
D.A.M.: How would you compare your style to those of mainstream artists?
Basia: Again, it's about the song. I have a lot of different styles that I incorporate into my music and so does everyone else. Style is a fabricated term that industry uses to define and market artists. People are downloading what they like now and it's safe to say that most iPods have a huge array of music on them because people can choose what they want to listen to by the click of a button. I think artists would benefit by releasing great songs in general, instead of trying to release great songs strictly within their genre.
D.A.M.: If you could collaborate with any artist dead or alive who would it be and why?
Basia: If I could collaborate with Jeff Buckley and Michael Jackson that would be the ultimate. They had that truth and passion that comes from some inexplicable, ethereal place, and you're left speechless and winded at the end of a song. I would also have to say that Corey Taylor (Slipknot/Stone Sour) falls into that same level. I would love to collaborate with him one day. It would be Epic!
D.A.M.: If you weren't performing music what would you be doing?
Basia: Probably teaching music to parents and children. My family comes from an old school mentality that music is just for entertainment and that it is not something to take seriously as a career path. I feel that that attitude is changing, and families are more apt to encourage their kids to pursue music and art as seriously as they would any other, more traditional discipline. I'd want to be part of instilling that initial passion in kids, like my grandfather did for me.
D.A.M.: Do you ever see yourself moving out of performing and into another industry such as acting or modeling?
Basia: I would like to do it all. I especially can see myself down the road going back to my roots in musical theatre. I would love to be in a Broadway musical. I love the acting and musical element in how the story is told.
D.A.M.: What are some projects you are working on currently? When can fans expect those to come out?
Basia: I am writing a lot at the moment with my band, with producers, with fellow musicians - if you want to write with me, I want to write with you. One project I'm really immersed in right now is a song written for deployed soldiers and their families, which I'm lending my voice to. The song was written by Peter Haley; his brother-in-law served 8 years in Iraq and now has Lou Gehrig's disease.
D.A.M.: Do you have any shows coming up?
Basia: I have a show coming up at the Mod Club in Toronto on Saturday, February 13, 2010 I'll be sharing the stage with a rock opera singer Patrizia and a wicked band Frankie Whyte and the Dead Idols. This show is also a UNICEF fundraiser for Haiti relief, so we really want a lot of people out to rock out for a great cause.
D.A.M.:Where can fans get some of your music?
Basia: I have 6 tracks on iTunes with the 2 newest singles on their way there as well. You can also check out www.basialyjak.com , which is always up to date with the latest, and www.youtube.com/baisalyjak for tons of videos.
D.A.M.: How can fans get in contact with you?
Basia: I'm on Twitter - www.twitter.com/basialyjak, or Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Basia-Lyjak/8295845740. I would love to hear from you! Basia@BasiaLyjak.com!
