Alexia Melnychuk

"Alexia Melnychuk's Flying Machine deserves to be pushed and promoted and distributed..." "...a delightfully refreshing debut."

“[She]...has something very much in common with some of Canada’s most influential and inspiring singer songwriters..."

Colin Lynch - IOM Magazine - January 2007

***************************

“...A little gem!” “She sings this from the heart and draws the listener in...”

“Sweet, strong sound...”
“...capacity to punch out words and still retain a sensitive tone that is captivating and delivers the song’s emotions beautifully...”

“ her introspective music leaves you with such a good feeling, hope and love and longing in every phrase and chord...”

“her voice is as pure as the emotions she sings about...”

- Listener Reviews (CDBaby & Garageband.com) - Various

“She is a poet...Anne's Song is so simple and so beautiful ...a classic”

- Katherine Duncan, CBC Radio

"Hey Little Love is professional playfulness, from the lyrics to the melodies to the artwork; lovely. Carousel and Forever and a Day called to me as I am sure they will many others, songs that tell a story or describe an event or emotion that touches us in a common familiarity are wonderful treasures. To keep a kite in the air you gotta' have a strong wind and a good hold on the string, keep flying that thing Alexia Melnychuk."

-Pam Edgar - Songwriter's Circle -CHLY Radio

- Various

How did you get into music?

I was always into music, and just very passionately drawn to the lifestyle somehow, the artists, the songwriters. I know music touches everyone, it has always had a profound impact on me. I didn't always believe that I could participate though.
When I took guitar lessons in high school I met my first real musician and that was when I started to think that I might be able to make music a huge part of my life. I took my first year of a music degree at Camrose University, but I was impatient and wanted to be out singing and playing.
I moved to Edmonton and started work at a music store where I met my husband. He had been on the road from the time he was 18 and he was a beautiful influence and mentor for me. He really encouraged and supported my writing.

How long have you been performing?

I performed my first paying gig in 1994 and then began playing regularly with my husband. We played together for 8 years, every old hotel and casino in Alberta! Hah! We share a lot of good memories.
In 2001, I did my first original show and began thinking seriously about recording. I started performing solo in 2004 and released my first recording in 2005.

What were some of the challenges you faced or do face today?

For me, the biggest challenge is balancing it all or managing your time. There are so many aspects to the business: promotion, bookings, websites, CD sales, writing, recording and production of your music, yikes.
Some days it is overwhelming, but you just make out your to-do list and chip away at it. You have to be patient, but you will see progress and it is extremely rewarding. Truthfully, there are so many tools out there right now. The internet, tons of radio stations playing great indie music and supporting us, and so many beautiful people out there attending shows and buying music. I get excited just thinking about it!
I feel very fortunate that I have started out doing much of this myself. I am learning so much and it is very empowering. I know it will serve me down the road.

Any accolades you would like to mention?

Yes please! I am very proud to be nearing the 1000 copies sold mark, of my first recording. I have found independent radio to be very supportive. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I am working on my second recording, a full length CD due out summer 2007.
Most recently, I have teamed up with Lara (Yule Singh) and we just completed our first tour of Alberta. We are working towards playing out of Edmonton as much as we can in 2007, covering BC in March 07, and then spending a month in Ontario in July 07.

What do you want others to know about you?

I don’t know if there anything specific about me that I want you to know, but I want anyone who is frustrated and full of longing for something, to know that you just need to start somewhere. Do something small everyday that will point you in that direction. And don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone is on their own path, going at their own pace and all you need to worry about is yourself and whether you are being truthful with yourself. Just start!

Any advice you would like to share with performers that are just starting out?

A good friend of mine once told me that 95% of success in life is just showing up and that has become my motto. Just show up. Eventually it gets easier and you find yourself doing more than just 'showing up'.

- Alternative Trends ~ National