It is rare that we will use the featured artist spot to feature a musician. It is even more rare that we will feature a female musician, just out of personal preference really. But in this case I think that there is no denying that Becca is just that f'n good.
She most certainly took a lesson from Ani Difranco but sounds like a clever blend of Billie Holiday and Fionna Apple - minus the melodramatics. Her vocals are deep and bluesy, tinged with spoken word lyrics and they take precedence over the instrumentals. The guitar is present simply for harmony and so are the claps, but were her voice to stand alone, I believe that she would still quiet the house. The tunes are not anxious, but they won't make you catatonic either, they feel breezy and sassy.
Although it is finals week and Becca attends school in Fredonia, she chatted with us a bit about her music.
Laura Sargent: Under what genre do you classify yourself?
Becca Ryskalczyk: Hmm, folk, probably.
LS: Can you tell us what shoegaze is?
BS: My Bloody Valentine, more or less. (laughs)
LS: Who are your influences on a local level?
BS: Locally, I really look up to Damiera and Knife Crazy, but that's a completely different style. My friends have a DIY label, Whaleplane, which I am involved in. I highly respect all of the artists who are a part of it. So I suppose they are my local influences.
LS: If you had to compare yourself to someone, who would it be?
BS: Musically? No idea. However, I am practically a clone of my mother.
LS: Do you plan on becoming a rock star?
BS: Rock Star? Hmm, I don't know about that...we'll see what happens!
LS: Why do you perform so often in Buffalo?
BS: Well, I'm from Amherst, so I like to come and play in Buffalo as much as possible. It is very welcoming.
LS: Have you traveled much?
BS: I traveled around Europe when I was 13. I hope to do that again sometime. Hopefully, I will be traveling this summer.
LS: Where is your favorite destination?
BS: Anywhere in Colorado.
LS: What did you think of Besnyo's performance?
BS: Sadly, I actually had to leave right before they played, but I've seen them many times before. Sean knows how to 'make love' to the mic! However, I wish that Steven would realize that he's not going to puke if he looks at the audience... (laughs again)
LS: What other instruments do you play?
BS: I'm classically trained on violin. I like to dabble in anything i can get my hands on: piano, bass, percussion. No wind instruments though. They make me dizzy!
LS: Why are you the only girl in the world that doesn't sound like she is weeping into the mic?
BS: ...big girls don't cry?
LS: What is your favorite pair of shoes?
BS: My yellow pumas.
LS: If you could work with any other musician, who would it be?
BS: Tim Kasher. Or Morrissey.
LS: Do your parents come to all your shows?
BS: No, I like it when they do come though. My mom is hilarious.
LS: Do you have any tattoos?
BS: Yes, A worm - Vernon, ugly Organ keys, a cassette tape and more to come.
LS: Where is the best place to eat in Fredonia?
BS: Easy... Upper Crust. Highly suggest it. I also work/live there! No, but really, I love it.
LS: Where is the best weekend entertainment in Fredonia?
BS: Either BJ's Bar or 62 Forest (Brie's House), where most of the basement shows take place.
LS: How do you spend Sunday afternoons?
BS: Sleeping and studying. Then I have a "family dinner" with my best friends. We play Catchphrase and drink a lot of Miller High Life. It's glorious.
