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Kayla Luky
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Kayla Luky presents a collection of well-crafted songs that prove she’s a mature artist, but to pret...Kayla Luky presents a collection of well-crafted songs that prove she’s a mature artist, but to pretend this record is about anything but her massive voice is a big mistake. With more than a little country lilt, Luky seems to bring forth some spectacular notes and phrases with no effort whatsoever. This would probably be less valuable to the overall product if the remainder of the mixture wasn’t also of such high calibre. The rich folk-influenced harmonies and copious steel-pedal slide guitar gives the album a polished nostalgic feel usually reserved for songs of another era. While the song titles Cowboys are Coming, Arizona and Lonesome Ranger correctly hint at an album steeped in country tradition, Luky subtly distinguishes herself from that genre by drawing on a Neko Case-style of indie folk. This is a strong album from a local artist to keep watching.
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Local Heros
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????1/2
KAYLA LUKY
The Time it Takes
(Independent)
Kayla Luky moved backward to go forward. Reco...????1/2
KAYLA LUKY
The Time it Takes
(Independent)
Kayla Luky moved backward to go forward. Recorded in her hometown of Grandview, Man., The Time it Takes’ rural setting makes for a more sophisticated effort than 2008’s Winnipeg-written Story of My Life. Luky expands on her former folk-pop sound most notably in the instrumentation department. Saskatoon’s Zachary Lucky and Lucas Goetz (Deep Dark Woods) add banjo and pedal steel to Luky’s charming croon, resulting in a bona fide alt-country album. Not just a sonic step forward, Luky’s lyrics make progress as well. Take Arizona, Luky’s subtle small-town tale of puck fucks, coffee-shop gossip and pogey collectors, with its clever refrain, "It’s EI, EI, Oh." Pretty smart stuff for the so-called simple life.
— Jared Story
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Roots Music Column - Fervor Coulee
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Kayla Luky The Time It Takes
Arriving unheralded this month was the third album from Grandview, Man...Kayla Luky The Time It Takes
Arriving unheralded this month was the third album from Grandview, Manitoba’s Kayla Luky.
A full-blown alternative country release, The Time It Takes doesn’t waste any time in establishing itself as a revitalizing shot of natural sounding, roots music. From the initial seconds of the album’s opening track “Cowboys are Coming”, one suspects that the album is going to be something special.
And it is.
Similar in sound and approach to recent and excellent recordings from Kim Beggs, Ruth Moody, and Kate Maki, The Time It Takes marks Kayla Luky as an artist for whom we should keep an ear open. Swinging into Neko Case territory on “You Won’t Find Me” and “Arizona”, Luky takes on the fair-haired child of the Americana scene and wins an uncontested victory.
Among the many things one appreciates about this recording is the quality of Luky’s annunciation. While several noted artists have in recent years started slurring their lyrics in an attempt at (one supposes) poetic mystery, Luky lays everything out clearly.
“Lonesome Ranger” wouldn’t sound out of place on an Uncle Earl disc, and closes the album with energy and attitude.
This music could have been made anywhere, I suppose. But knowing that it comes from a group of friends gathered in small town Manitoba this past winter, living on liquor and lottery tickets, makes it all the more appealing and authentic.
Kayla Luky has an ache in her heart, but through music transforms it into something joyful.
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Luky's emotional songs help listeners connect
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Singer/songwriter Kayla Luky (pronounced Loo-key), visited Tracks Pub on Monday, May 30, promoting h...Singer/songwriter Kayla Luky (pronounced Loo-key), visited Tracks Pub on Monday, May 30, promoting her new album, The Time it Takes.
The Grandview, Manitoba alternative country artist has been on tour since May 12, when she began in Yorkton, Sask.
Her cross-Canada tour continues until July before heading to the eastern provinces in August and September.
The Time it Takes, the fourth release of her nine-year career, is a very emotional one, says 22-year-old Luky.
“When I listened to the final mix of the album, I felt the nostalgia of home – wherever that may be. I think it’s a good representation of my life and music at this point in time.”
Luky says she wrote the title track a few years after her grandmother had passed on while at her family’s farm.
“I went for a walk down the gravel road in the very early hours of the morning. You could see the Duck Mountains' silhouette in the moonlight with the first rays of sun starting to shine through in the east. I wrote it while reflecting on my life during that walk. And after all the good and all the bad, I was still left with hope.”
The simple picking and strumming of the guitar and banjo on standout track Any Kind of Peace places the focus squarely on Luky’s powerful, soulful voice and the heartbreaking lyrics she’s singing.
I’m drunker than a father on some winter holiday / Spending all my money trying to forget all the mistakes I’ve made / But some things you can’t erase.
“Whether you've been there (or are still there) or know someone else who has been there (or is still there), liquor typically isn't the answer,” says Luky.
“It's an easy, short-term way out that only causes more damage to yourself and others in the end. People are loving creatures, but we all seem to be our own worst enemy. The hardest part of moving forward from mistakes made is to forgive yourself.”
Luky says emotional songs help people to consider their life, and connect with the people around them.
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Manitoba singer promoting disk
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Kayla Luky turned to music as a way to entertain herself, growing up in rural Manitoba.
"I grew u...Kayla Luky turned to music as a way to entertain herself, growing up in rural Manitoba.
"I grew up on a farm between the Riding and Duck Mountains, north of Gilbert Plains," said Luky who will perform at 5th Avenue Cup & Saucer with Thursday (May 12), in support of her newest disk.
Luky said for the most part she is self taught in regards to the craft of music.
"One day I decided to learn how to play guitar and just did," she said. "From there songwriting came easily. My immediate family isn't musical, and I don't have any credited formal training.
"Living in the boonies made for less options and less people to see, so I suppose I had to keep myself entertained somehow."
Luky terms herself "a singer/songwriter", although she added "my latest work definitely sounds alternative-country."
That is not surprising given that she includes Blue Rodeo,Neko Case, Emmylou Harris and Neil Young, among her musical influences.
At the same time Luky did not immediately gravitate to alternate country, instead trying several musical outlets.
"I started playing live opening for punk-rock bands in Dauphin," she said. "I've played at many kinds of venues to audiences large and small. Coffee-houses, house shows, bars, festivals -- some larger highlights would include four self-released full length albums, western Canada tour … and being a contestant on Canadian Idol Season 6, with my Winnipeg audition airing on television."
You can watch it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyoO0Lqwqqw&;feature=bulletin
The newest recording is 'The Time It Takes'.
The material was accumulated over the past three years.
"My writing is not as profuse as it once was, but I feel what I now lack in quantity I make up for in quality of material," said Luky. "After spending some time in Winnipeg, I think the new record reflects the influence of living back in a small town."
The CD is one close to home for Luky, literally.
""The Time It Takes" was recorded out of my home in Grandview, MB over the course of about a week and a half in December," she said. "A lot of the songs off of the album were recorded live on my part -- vocals and guitar at the same time."
Luky said on this CD she went for a somewhat fuller sound than her usual stage show.
"The biggest difference from stage to session is that this album includes much more instrumentation than what I am used to performing with," she said.
"The album is very produced in comparison to my past efforts.
"This made the whole recording process different -- more people involved, more elements to consider."
The added effort has produced a disk Luky is proud of.
"As mentioned before, the album is much more produced than some of my previous albums," she said. "I am quite happy with the finished product. I was lucky to have had such great musicians and people involved in the project.
"Recording out of my home was an awesome experience, I would definitely continue to record this way."
All the songs were written by Luky, with Zachary Lucky acting as producer & Engineer, and Sean Craib-Petkau, formally of Yorkton the assistant engineer. Lucky, who also has Yorkton area ties, also provided acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, and background vocals on Lonesome Ranger for the album.
With the new album Luky said she plans to focus exclusively on her musical career in the months ahead.
"The next six months I will be focusing primarily on music -- I took a leave of absence from my 9-5," she said. "It will be a change of pace and lifestyle for me, as I have been working full time for the past four-years, putting in 16-hour days at times. Not having the regular '9-5', and being able to focus on music and the ins and outs involved with it will be an interesting and refreshing experience.
"I am a hard worker, and I hope over the next few months time will tell if music on a full time basis is the route I am supposed to take next.
"Here's hoping!"
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Home the inspiration for Luky
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Grandview Manitoba’s Kayla Luky is a prairie girl at heart, and her new album The Time it Takes is a...Grandview Manitoba’s Kayla Luky is a prairie girl at heart, and her new album The Time it Takes is a reflection of that. The alt-country artist will be playing at the 5th Avenue Cup and Saucer on May 12.
The new album was recorded at a studio set up in Luky’s home in Grandview with Zachary Lucky from Saskatoon producing. While it’s her fourth album, the new record is a bit of a departure for Luky. While previous albums featured a more stripped down sound, with Luky on a guitar, this album features a full band, which includes Jonathan Anderson, Zachary Lucky, Lucas Goetz, Carly Maicher and Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner. Luky says the experience was extremely positive, as everyone who worked on the album was a friend.
“It was just a house full of love... It definitely wouldn’t have been a fraction as good without their talent on it, so I feel pretty special,” she says.
The songs on the album have been written in the past three years, since Luky has moved back to Grandview after living in Winnipeg for a number of years. She says the move has been the inspiration for the new work, and Grandview is an important part of the new album.
“You can hear in the songs the sound of moving back to a small town in the prairies and all the songs on the album are inspired by the lifestyle out here,” Luky describes.
The inspiration of the town touched everything on the album, from the lyrics to the overall sound. Luky says it also moved the album in a more country direction, something she didn’t originally intend.
“We were listening back to the stuff we recorded and I said ‘You know, I think I’m a country artist,’” she recalls.
The town is more than just the inspiration for the songs, she adds. People in Grandview have been supporting her in a number of ways, giving the music radio play and filling the hall in Grandview for the CD release – something Luky had originally intended to host at her home. She says that it’s gratifying to see the people around her support her music and her career.
“It really solidifies my decision to move back to a small town. A lot of people said I should be living in the city, and paying my dues and making a name for myself. But, when you have your whole community behind you, why would you? The city isn’t going anywhere, I can still go there for shows, but having those quality relationships is more valuable to me,” she says.
This will be Luky’s first cross-Canada tour since moving back to a small town, and she says it will be a change of pace from working a full time job for the past few years. However, she says she is excited about getting on the road and sharing her music with as many people as possible.
Those interested in learning more about Luky and her music are invited to visit her website at www.kaylaluky.ca.
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Made In Manitoba
Listen to Kayla Luky featured on Made In Manitoba!
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One to Watch
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June 5, 2008
On the road with mom
Kayla Luky had a special tourmate on her first tour out West...June 5, 2008
On the road with mom
Kayla Luky had a special tourmate on her first tour out West
Jared Story
Singer/songwriter Kayla Luky just finished up her first tour - a jaunt out West that I'm dubbing the Family Values Tour. (Think less Korn, more Gilmore Girls, though).
"I'm so hardcore, going on tour in my mom's car with my mom," Luky says. "She told me I could use her vehicle and was like, 'Well, you know Kayla, we never do anything together and I never go on holidays so I was wondering, can I come along?'"
The mother-daughter trip/tour was the result of Luky's acceptance into the recent New Music West Conference and Festival in Vancouver. New Music West wasn't the first time the 19-year-old folk musician has hung out with the big music-industry types, however. When she was still in high school, Luky played the famed North by North East Festival in Toronto.
"When I got the acceptance letter, I showed it to my mom and she's like, 'Is this like fucking Canadian idol or something?'" Luky says. "No mom, it's this big indie music festival."
You can't blame Luky's mother for not knowing what NXNE is. Luky grew up in the small, good-luck-finding-it-on-a-map community of Venlaw, Man. With not much to do but pluck away on the guitar, Luky recorded her first album when she was in Grade 9 and started playing shows in nearby Dauphin, her small-town teenage angst fitting in perfectly with the prairie punks hosting the shows.
"I was kind of angsty back in Grade 9, so the whole Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne, singer/songwriter type of girl had an influence on me, although I like to think they don't so much anymore," Luky says.
Luky's latest album, Story of My Life, reveals a much more mature songwriter, a rather positive-sounding affair that sees Luky growing into a top-notch songwriter.
Plus, there's not much to be pissed off about in Venlaw. The local paper, The Exponent, isn't exactly full of bad breaking news.
"You just read about who grew the biggest pumpkin. My favorite part is the social notes. 'Last weekend so-and-so person visited from B.C.' Oh, thank you for letting me know. It's kind of cute, though."
Luky will be in Winnipeg all weekend. Check her out June 5 at Saffron's, June 6 at Academy Food Drinks Music, June 7 at McNally Robinson Polo Park and June 8 at the Lo Pub.
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The Uniter CD Review
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March 13, 2008
KAYLA LUKY
Story of My Life
Independent
In a time of vulnerability, an artist...March 13, 2008
KAYLA LUKY
Story of My Life
Independent
In a time of vulnerability, an artist is able to be open and honest in their work. It’s this that attracts us. Winnipegger Kayla Luky’s third album, Story of My Life, has achieved just that appeal. This is a live studio album that has been kept intact, without much editing. Sometimes a musician’s first intentions are lost after so much effort to rid it of their blemishes. This album’s flaws are what make it so beautiful. Luky blends her clever lyrics with her beautiful voice to create songs that feel honest and relatable: "It’s this time of year that I still love you. Yes, it comes back to me in waves." The only instrument played is Luky’s acoustic guitar. This keeps the album personal. Story of My Life is an intimate telling between Luky and her audience.
Kathleen Gallagher
4 out of 5
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Uptown CD Review
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March 6, 2008
Kayla Luky
Story of my Life
(Independent)
A
I think Linus should have haule...March 6, 2008
Kayla Luky
Story of my Life
(Independent)
A
I think Linus should have hauled Kayla Luky around instead of that blanket. The young singer/songwriter's gentle voice makes me feel safe and sound, and you'll feel similarly secure after spinning Story. Recorded live off the floor, the album's very raw, which fits, because Luky is basically bearing her soul here. While heart-on-sleeve songwriters can be annoying, Luky backs up the emotion with a definite lyrical knack. "I want to make a plan to not have one," she cleverly croons on I Wanna. Throw away your blanky and wrap yourself in this album.
Jared Story
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Winnipeg Free Press CD Review
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January 19th, 2008
KAYLA LUKY / Story of My Life (Independent)
Originally from a rural area no...January 19th, 2008
KAYLA LUKY / Story of My Life (Independent)
Originally from a rural area northwest of Dauphin, young Winnipeg-based folk-rock singer-songwriter Kayla Luky, above, recorded her third album live and solo in the studio.
The arrangements are sparse — primarily vocal and guitar along with some harmonica (think Avril Lavigne channeling Neil Young) — but occasionally Luky uses technology to accompany herself a la KT Tunstall. Luky is no Ani Difranco on the six strings but she is still quite capable of keeping her playing interesting. Lyrically, the aptly titled Story of My Life is very confessional in nature. There are times when she would benefit from some additional instrumentation or stronger production, but all things considered, Story is pretty impressive.
Luky may wear her heart on her sleeve but she adorns it quite nicely with a pretty voice that seems to flow naturally from deep within her soul. Not yet 20 years old, Luky is already one to watch.
3 stars
Bruce Leperre
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The Manitoban CD Review
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January 16, 2008
Kayla Luky
Story of my Life
Independent / 2007
4 stars
The content of K...January 16, 2008
Kayla Luky
Story of my Life
Independent / 2007
4 stars
The content of Kayla Luky’s third full-length album, Story of my Life, is exactly what one expects if one is so bold as to judge the album by its cover. The pressed flowers and leaves on the cover are like Luky’s flowery songs: simple and organically beautiful. Both Luky’s hairstyle and occasional intertwining of her mid-range head voice conjure up imagery of Joni Mitchell. The whole concept of the album seems enchantingly based on something out of the ’60s . . . or Wolseley.
Locally recorded, Story of my Life is honest in that it is neither clean nor overproduced. You’d hear her sliding fingers changing chords in a coffeehouse and such is captured here as a charming nuance. This album is put together well; the mellow and slower songs are spaced appropriately between more lively and varied tracks. Luky’s uncomplicated riffs are fitting for this acoustic folk album. Her raw, organic voice is full of character and works well for this sweet, simple, and soulful effort.
— Jacqueline Hogue, staff
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Kayla performs in Toronto
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Tuesday June 28, 2005
Singer/songwriter Kayla Luky was in Toronto to perform at the international...Tuesday June 28, 2005
Singer/songwriter Kayla Luky was in Toronto to perform at the international North by Northeast Festival June 9 - 11.
She was one of 410 acts to be accepted out of about 1500 that applied. It was a truly international event with performers coming from Finland, Ireland, Iceland, Mexico, Japan, U.S.A and Canada.
Kayla played her 40 minute set at the Free Times Café, one of the 30 venues hosting performers over three days. She was the opening act for the evening and while the crowd was small, Kayla said she was “just happy to be accepted” to such a big event.
She played a mix of her earliest work, songs from her current CD and cover songs, showcasing her writing as well as her singing.
Aside from the performing, it was a weekend of firsts. This was her first time on an airplane and her first time in Toronto. She was impressed with the city, calling it clean with a safe feeling and the people were friendly. She expected the pace of the city to be fast, and was surprised to find the opposite. She said it seems we are living at a faster pace here than in Toronto.
Overall, the weekend was a “good experience” for Kayla and “something for the musical resume.”
For more about Kayla and her music visit www.kaylaluky.com.
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Luky accepts invitation to perform at Toronto’s NXNE festival
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Tuesday June 21, 2005
Gilbert Plains singer/songwriter Kayla Luky had the opportunity to showcase...Tuesday June 21, 2005
Gilbert Plains singer/songwriter Kayla Luky had the opportunity to showcase her talent at the North by Northeast festival in Toronto, June 9 to 11.
Approximately 400 unsigned bands out of the roughly 1,500 from around the world who requested to perform, had an opportunity to sing in one of 25 live music venues in downtown Toronto during the festival.
In the past artists such as Sam Roberts, Sarah Harmer, Ambulance Ltd., K-OS and Gord Downie have made appearances.
As a member of the Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association (MARIA) Luky was notified last year that the festival was on the horizon and was encouraged to apply.
According to Luky when she received the confirmation from the festival that she was selected she was quite shocked - she forgot she even applied.
Then there was the matter of convincing her mother the opportunity in her email in-box was not an American-style reality show.
“When I first got the email my mom said right off the bat, ‘well you’re not going’,” explained Luky.
“She thought I had to go there and try out for it. I said ‘no, mom I got accepted into it, I’m one of their performers.’ Then she was pretty excited. I think my whole family was pretty happy for me. She thought I applied to this American Idol-thing.”
Along with singing in a national festival the opportunity also gave Luky the chance to take her first plane trip.
“It was pretty fun I had never been on a plane before until Thursday when I went, so me and my mom took the plane there and we had a nice little holiday there and played a 40 minute set at one of the venues.”
Luky played a mix of her material including songs off her debut CD, Kayla, which earned her a spot on AVE Entertainment’s list of Top 5 selling discs for their store in the Dauphin Market Place Mall, as well as songs from her recently released follow-up album Kayla Luky.
Her latest disc, Kayla Luky is available at AVE Entertainment in the Dauphin Market Place Mall, CDPlus.com in the Brandon Shoppers Mall, as well as any Kayla Luky concert.
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Luky cuts new CD
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For the week of Tuesday May 10, 2005 to Tuesday May 17, 2005
If you have attended any local talen...For the week of Tuesday May 10, 2005 to Tuesday May 17, 2005
If you have attended any local talent contest or concerts lately chances are you have already heard of Kayla Luky.
Last year her debut album Kayla had sales earning her a spot on AVE Entertainment’s list of Top 5 selling discs for their store in the Dauphin Market Place Mall.
This year the 16-year-old singer is hopeful that her recently released follow-up album Kayla Luky will match, if not exceed, her previous success.
While the young songwriter has at times been compared to pop princess Avril Lavigne, Luky is eager to carve her own niche.
“I guess people would compare me to Avril, but I don’t really like that. I want people to notice me for me not because ‘oh she kind of sounds like Avril’.”
According to Luky her latest 14-track disc is reflective of her varied tastes and incorporates a little bit of everything, including acoustic folk and alternative sounds.
As a result, or her eclectic ear and gaining more musical experience, her second album has developed its own unique flavour.
“The second one I had a little bit more time and a little bit more work put into it. And I knew a bit more of what I wanted different and what I wanted to change,” said Luky.
“Compared to my first album I enjoy this one a lot more. I would have to say that my favorite song is probably “Home” because me and my cousin Nigel Agar sang it together live on the album.”
Since her first project she has also made an effort to learn to play a few new instruments including a 12 string guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano and violin.
“I can play a few little things here and there on everything, but I need time to sit down and learn some things.”
She is also learning to become more comfortable in front of an audience.
“It’s not as bad as before, but I still get nervous,” said Luky.
“Sometimes I’ll get to the point where I’m shaking I’m so nervous and then afterwards people will say, ‘I couldn’t tell you are nervous at all.’ But it’s better than before.”
Now that she has her drivers license she is hoping to do more shows outside of the area.
And if this did not keep the Grade 11 student busy enough, Luky is also working on a side project with fellow songwriter Nigel Agar.
Plans are still tentative, but it appears Luky may be forming a second band with Agar. She has already started working on some new material for the project.
Kayla Luky was recorded with producer Ben Melnick of Falling Sky Recording and copies are available at AVE Entertainment in the Dauphin Market Place Mall, CDPlus.com in the Brandon Shoppers Mall, as well as any Kayla Luky concert.
For more information you can visit www.kaylaluky.com
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GP youth makes mark on local music scene
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Tuesday, March 23 2004
Gilbert Plains singer/songwriter, Kayla Luky has started to make inroads i...Tuesday, March 23 2004
Gilbert Plains singer/songwriter, Kayla Luky has started to make inroads in the local music scene.
At the age of 15, her debut self-titled CD has rounded out the top five discs sold at A.V.E. in the Dauphin Market Place Mall.
It’s a small beginning but Luky is hopeful that more people will have an opportunity to hear her music, whether its on disc or at one of the many performances she gives in the area.
“I’ve had a lot of younger kids, like Grade 6 they come up to me and they want to buy my CDs and their moms tell me how much they love me. It’s a compliment,” said Luky.
Luky started down this path by teaching herself how to play her mother’s old guitar at the age of 13. It was not long after that she started writing her own songs.
“It depends on what mood I’m in,” said Luky.
“If I’m really upset sometimes it will only take me 15 minutes and it will come out naturally. Or sometimes I’ll make up chords and I’ll come back to it a few months later and…. ‘oh this will go with this’. If I have a lyric idea I just jot it down.”
While some have compared her to Avril Lavigne, Luky says her music has an acoustic, alternative folk sound to it and it is rooted in her own experiences.
“Sometimes I try to really rock it out, but sometimes I just can’t. I just write how I feel. My music is Kayla.”
Sticking with her own unique sound has paid off. After getting a demo tape into the hands of producer and engineer Randy Frykas, she was booked for her first show last year in Dauphin.
Since then Luky has performed at a number of events throughout the Parkland.
And while Luky has enough material for a second album, she is determined to save up for a keyboard and drums before that happens.
For more information about Kayla or to listen to a few of her songs people are encouraged to visit her Web site at http://www.kaylaluky.com
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Kayla Luky - The Time It Takes
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The sophomore release from local songstress Kayla Luky is a crisp, twangy prairie affair. Beautiful ...The sophomore release from local songstress Kayla Luky is a crisp, twangy prairie affair. Beautiful arrangements, tight instrumentation, and Luky’s great voice all combine on The Time It Takes for an enjoyable ten tracks. With a focus for detail, Luky brings rural prairie life into sharp focus, pulling a Faulknerian “world in a grain of sand” trip on listeners. Hailing from Grandview, MB, Luky recorded The Time It Takes in the depths of winter at her family home there. The space of the house is audible, giving the album a decidedly open quality, and her songs the room to expand and breathe. “My Flowers Are Empty” is sure to tug on listeners’ heartstrings, while “You Won’t Find Me” is a haunting tale of fugitive love. Overall, Luky’s songwriting is strong, though a couple tracks are a bit too cliché for my tastes — opener “Cowboys Are Coming” being a good example of this tendency. Regardless, this disc is a beauty, and I would expect to hear more from Kayla Luky around Manitoba’s vibrant folk and roots scene soon. (Independent, kaylaluky.ca) Sheldon Birnie
supersonic
