Lazlo's Picks: Darynyck - the chaotic lp

Emerging from suburban Toledo, Ohio, DARYNYCK has been bobbing heads and twitching legs of friends, strangers & local rockshow patrons since 2005 with their uniquely straightforward lo-fi/indie/pop/folk/rock-ish sound. The group is comprised of vocalists and multi-instrumentalists DARYN & NYCK. Their goal is to write memorable tunes with simple melodies that will persist in the listener's head, thanks to DARYN's attention to song arrangement and perfectionist attitude, and NYCK'S innate ability to harmonize and create exceptionally original melodies.

With influences ranging from the 1950s to the 2000s -- from the Beatles/Buddy Holly/Lovin' Spoonful to Elliot Smith/Guster/Coldplay/Fountains of Wayne/Green Day -- DARYNYCK'S sound can certainly be classified as "pop". They have no intention of blowing minds with complex guitar riffs and overly profound lyrics, and believe in a traditional songwriting approach: simple chords, memorable melodies, and a solid percussive beat. DARYNYCK's songs, with catchy hooks and easy-to-identify-with lyrics, parallel the boys' relaxed yet contemplative attitudes toward life, love and everyday occurrences. Their lo-fi, DIY recording process emphasizes songwriting over flashy, expensive equipment. However, DARYN is meticulous when it comes to song production, spending hours mixing, layering tracks, and experimenting with different sounds & effects. This combination of simple songwriting yet complex production results in a pleasantly uncommon listening experience.

For the live show, DARYN & NYCK share lead vocal duties while swapping guitar & drums throughout the set. A DARYNYCK performance may include any of the following: acoustic & electric guitars, bass, drums, handheld percussion, harmonica, trumpet, recorder, keyboard, and/or electronic drum loops. Their acoustic shows include various percussion instruments: djembe, water jug, tambourine, egg shakers & maracas. NYCK'S whistling solos and falsetto harmonies add to the unique--yet strangely familiar--well-arranged and raw DARYNYCK sound.