Metro News (metronews.ca)

Lyjak lives a dream
Indie rocker on a mission

She's got Janis Joplin's purse, Veruca Salt-like vocals and a full-steam ahead attitude that harks back to the rock 'n' roll heydays.

Singer-songwriter Basia Lyjak is an indie artist on a mission: to get on the road and promote her recently released second self-funded EP Writings On The Wall.

Lyrics scribbled on cigarette packs, an answering machine full of recorded melodies and a team of accomplished musicians supporting her are just a few of the tell-tale signs of Lyjak's passion and determination.

"Some people say I have Janis Joplin's purse," laughs the Mississauga, Ont.-based musician, explaining her lyric-laden handbag.

"The majority of the time lyrics and melodies are mainly written before I write songs."

However, a new direction for her is to write to guitar.



Ron Bechard, Lyjak's guitarist, says: "I can get an idea and start playing a chord structure É and she has the ability to lay down vocals over top Ñ it just comes out naturally."

Collaboration is huge for Lyjak, who is currently in writing sessions with Kyle Riabko, an accomplished guitarist who has toured with acts such as John Mayer and Buddy Guy. With his help, she hopes to release a full-length album in 2008.

"It's a beautiful thing to see how two people's emotions can meld together and make something really f------ great," she says on the topic of collaboration.

In the meantime, Lyjak's self-described "chick rock" has landed her on the future cover of the new Jimmy Stilettos magazine, a printed extension of International Online Music Magazine (IOM). Due out in October.

"I think (publicity) is the hardest part for an indie artist," explains Lyjak, who got her first "break" nearly 10 years ago in an all girl group called Aphrodisia. "If you really want to live your dream, you have to plow away É because no one's going to do it for you."

-- Ann-Marie Colacino/Metro Ottawa