Stefko
Taken from June 2005 WRAP Magazine article by Philip Mandelbaum, aka Awkword, "....popular and respected, indeed. Stefko is playing for larger and larger audiences. At the wreath laying ceremony for newly - and democratically - elected Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko, he performed for thousands, and he's being recruited for new gigs by those who hear him. One could never guess, listening to his reordings, that Stefko is frighteningly tall, bearded, and grungy. His eyes are dark and sullen, and hint at a deep melancholy - a past not yet put into words, even in his songs. In person, Stefko is subdued. On stage, his voice erupts from his bowels, harmoniously as he wails like a fallen angel, his innocence spilling onto the sweat-soaked stage".
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I started playing seriously during college in a guitar/cello outfit called Sicksided & Burned. We released one EP called 'Tan Lines' in 2002. The cellist from Sicksided & Burned, McKensey Seher, appears on 'Bullfighting' (2006). We tried to keep it together after I graduated, but I found myself bouncing around the US, most notably landing in New Orleans for a few months. I tried carving a niche for myself down there, but the music scene wasn't ready for a singer/songwriter of my genre. I left Louisiana in late 2003 and moved back north. Sicksided & Burned reunited for two shows in 2004, before officially calling it quits in December of that year. I had since relocated from New Jersey to Williamsburg, Brooklyn and had been playing regularly as a solo act. In September of 2005, I met cellist Matthew Logan through MySpace, and we have since been collaborating on new music and have appeared live on several occasions to rave reviews. We recently completed our first studio recording, The Atlantic Sound Sessions, which was released in April 2006. Smother Magazine had this to say about it: Simplistic indie folk with only cello and guitar plus vocals results in surprisingly tough arrangements. Nicely written melodies play off the dueling guitar and cello with complex textures the result. The vocals are melodic and are perfectly in key which is a nice aside for the traditions of indie folk. You can typically find them at the Sly Fox Music Showcase in the East Village in New York City and based on this magnificent EP I suggest you search this duo out.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I play live as much as possible. I run a monthly songwriter showcase called the SLY FOX MUSIC SHOWCASE in the East Village, NYC (www.myspace.com/slyfoxmusicshowcase) I love playing live more than anything else. Especially when joined by Matt Logan, my cellist.
Your musical influences
Iron & Wine, Nick Drake, Patrick Park, Jeff Buckley, Elliot Smith, Sun Kil Moon, Bright Eyes, Ryan Adams, beer, cigarettes, and other various things that are bad for me, Dostoevsky's "Notes from Underground"
What equipment do you use?
I have a Taylor acoustic and 1978 Gibson semi-hollow electric. From time to time I like plugging it into my old Peavy tube amp.
Anything else?
Yes, please check out my music at the following web pages:
www.indiemusicians.co.uk
www.purevolume.com/stefkony
www.myspace.com/stefko
www.myspace.com/slyfoxmusicshowcase
