Press
"[Styka is the] ambassador of all disparate, regional folk alliances, miscreant of many a dusty festival, and THE song mistress of my heart… we all fell in love with the shy tremble of her voice, and then shimmered into the night."
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Americana Highways“A lyrically rich album that makes you feel as if you’re peeking into [Styka’s] diary.”
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No Depression“
North is a journey in itself… filled with folk, pop, and Americana, but most importantly wonderful storytelling.”
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The Deli“Heather Styka preaches what we all need to hear… Styka puts her vocal prowess on full display alongside her talent for telling stories and connecting emotionally.”
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Glide MagazineStyka takes the classic folk protest album and injects stories reflective of her life… The poignant stances that Styka takes when she advises us all to love each other in an increasingly divisive world are that much more powerful with her innate ability to relate her own life's story to it all"
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PopMatters“Intricate finger picking, perfect melodies, and heartbreakingly beautiful lyrics…
The Bittersweet Tapes is a collection of 12 songs recorded on an old four track recorder, a method that allows her to convey a more raw and intimate feeling than previous releases… In this raw and intimate portrait of life, disguised as a collection of songs, Heather Styka has truly created a masterpiece… A writer with this kind of vision and ability doesn’t come along very often and it’s an honor to have her among us for this brief and fleeting moment in time.”
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Independent Melody, Chris Darby
"With a compelling mix of storytelling and scene setting, Heather Styka takes the listener with her on every note… [
The Bittersweet Tapes] tugs the ear on first listen and greets you like an old friend on subsequent visits."
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Indie Music Portal, Simon Rigby
"With a classically modern folky warble, a nimble fingerpicked guitar, and a gently placed rhythm section, Heather Styka has given us a sonically immaculate recording of personal narratives and captured moments... there's enough to keep anyone listening..."
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Dispatch Magazine, Sam Ueda
“One word leaps to mind to describe Heather Styka’s voice — purity… Heather’s unique delivery combines the influences of a fragile Irish air, the warm effervescence of upbeat Americana, soulful country and mournful blues. Her voice ensures these songs hit that place in your chest where emotions reside…. Discerning beauty and sensitivity... Every song fits perfectly into the whole and the sum total of [
Lifeboats for Atlantis] is stunning.”
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FolkWords, Tim Carroll
“Heather’s songs capture moments, impressions, feelings, and thoughts in a way that connects with the listener, a lyrical wave that can carry one to shore with a solid conclusion, or go way out into the ocean, searching for an answer, insight, or direction”
- Lilli Kuzma, WDCB-FM
“Stories are often lurking behind the lyrics of a song - sometimes obscurely so. But fine and direct storytelling... is a special art when it comes to songwriting. And it's that kind of artistic mastery that poet and folksinger Heather Styka displays.”
- Butch Kara, KZGM-FM
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Shorter Bios
Paragraph:
Chicago songwriter Heather Styka cuts to the truth with gutsy vulnerability. With a heartfelt croon that brings to mind Billie Holiday or Patsy Cline, Styka combines the lyrical intricacy of folk with a catchy melodic pop sensibility and the grit of classic country in songs that are smart and disarming.
Tweet:
Heather Styka sings smart, disarming songs with sweet, vintage vocals: the intimacy of folk, the melodies of pop, and the grit of Americana.
10 Words:
Heather Styka sings smart, disarming songs with sweet, vintage vocals.