Serena Ryder performs “Stompa” in Studio Q
(Cranking out a very percussive version of her hit song… What’s not to love?)

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hearing this song appear on TV accompanying  show commercials and whatnot, and it’s been sticking with me a lot.

I tend to be attracted to the angstier, guitar-driven rock anthems and female vocalist kind of songs, that discovering this song was such a jewel. It often takes a good ear, feeling, and angst to attract me to a song I hear playing on TV. After all, that’s how I discovered Milo Greene on USA Network’s Covert Affairs (whaaa?).

Serena Ryder, a Juno Award-winning Canadian artist, has been at this music thing for a while, but she hasn’t really been gaining mainstream attention until this year. Just by lending your ear to “Stompa,” you can understand why it’s such a big hit. Her sound is reminiscent of the blues, R&B, country, folk, roots and rock, that her sound is a unique kind of infusion of her musical mastery and artistry. And, to hear that this woman can play guitar, piano, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, banjo, clarinet, drums, and bass, makes her enough of an incredibly awesome and accomplished musician and person.

Ryder’s mastery is revealed through so many sources, such as one that says this:

“Ryder is often praised for her technical virtuosity. She hits notes in full voice, with a controlled vibrato and an incredible conception of pitch. Ryder has a good-sized arsenal of technical skills. She ‘delivers in a commanding, often melismatic style that enchants'” (Serena Ryder).

There are tons of successful musicians and artists out there, that it often gets hard to find the truly God-given talents who really know and own their craft. She has a myriad of influences ranging from Michael Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks, Supertramp and David Bowie, that she has such an old soul and heart for music that is relevant to now, which ultimately creates an awesome sound, I feel.

Her raspiness but great, clear, and strong tone to her voice makes her voice so versatile. And to add that she can play so many instruments and really jam and rock out? What a gem.

I can’t wait to see how far this woman goes in music and what’s to come from her. Call me a new fan, maybe? I might even pick up a copy of her album Harmony (released just a few weeks ago in the US) myself!