"The creation of this album was not pre-meditated, and occurred almost by accident as I was cleaning my studio last April (2011). The story of how I rediscovered and took on this piece of my nearly lost history is, I think, as interesting as the music itself. It begins with a young musician in her twenties looking up at the stars of her own future, typically in awe of the world of recording studios, advanced technology and all that implies. It was the 1980s, and home recording was not what it is today, and certainly not within reach of any but the most determined..." KS
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On this disc, Kristina joins Grammy nominated pianist Philip Aaberg in a collaboration that explores the landscape of the heart in brilliant strokes of musical flight and poetry. (Sweetgrass Music 2011)
"...Questionable and querulous as any wind may be, her songs deftly navigate the terrain of the lone wanderer on the long journey, traversing reverent places long abandoned and potential places to revere..."
- Dylan Waller
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This album combines Kristina’s eclectic talents; as a celtic guitar stylist, songwriter and dig-in traditional roots musician. She has gathered friends to make a home-studio recording that is full of both grit and passion, and beauty and grace. Mostly it’s just honest. The song topics cover torn apart relations, spiritual alienation, and inspired reconnection with the core of living. Listeners who enjoy good lyrics should find this a pleasant break from much of contemporary music. The 12 page CD book is full of Kristina’s thoughts and writing, and she takes time to give you background on the instrumentals as well. For guitar players, her accomplished style will provide ample room for wondering “how she did it”. Open tunings are definitely featured here, and wonderful acoustic guitars. There are a few significant dedications on the album, one in particular to the late Scottish fiddler Johnny Cunningham, which includes a powerful song about her encounters with him in recent years. All in all, this is a unique feast of music from a truly unique artist. -Featuring Kristina on guitars, mandolin, piano and vocals; Karen Almquist on slide guitar, Susannah Blachly on fiddles and viola, Patti Casey on flutes, Bela Fleck on banjo and Jeremiah McLane on accordion. (Thunder Ridge Records 2005)
"...Stykos has created 16 tracks of original music (well over an hour) which are as textural and color-rich as any of Joni Mitchell’s finest work ... .Almost all of the tracks on “In the Earth’s Fading Light” were recorded in sparkling digital at the artist’s home studio in Chelsea, a venue that provided Stykos with the time and the flexibility to get the exact results that she wanted. The result is sonic ear candy. Even in the presence of the scene-stealing musical talents of old friend Bela Fleck and Bellatrix bandmates Patti Casey and Susannah Blachly, Stykos stays very much in control of the sound and the vibe..."
- Robert Resnik, Vermont Public Radio "All the Traditons"
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This disc developed out of some late night hangs in Kristina's recording studio. What was captured live became the foundation for arrangements that include Kristina's magical guitar parts and vocal harmonies, along with the addition of shimmering tracks from master fiddler Patrick Ross. Their collaboration on this album project turned into a performing partnership that tours currently in the northeast, aptly dubbed "Bow Thayer and the Holy Plow". (Thunder Ridge Records 2009)
From Bow's website:
"I can honestly say this project just happened out of the blue here in Vermont at my friend Kristina Stykos' Pepperbox studio. What excites me about this record is the spontaneous informality of it all, there was no real intention or pressure to produce an album so what we have is some music that had been written then abandoned and songs that were recorded in their infancy ... Also featured on this record is the wonderful fiddle playing of Patrick Ross who is an award-winning violinist and founding member of the group Blue Merle, as well as Kristina playing guitar and singing back up. It's crazy what talent lurks in these ancient hills. Anyway, buy this record: it is good for your soul, it's good for your ears, and it will make a great gift for any one who likes songs about death, birth, parenthood, love, addiction, confusion, hope, and the general state of the human condition. Also, as ever, one record feeds the next and there is much work to do..."
- Bow Thayer
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Produced at Pepperbox studio, Kristina recorded her (then) band Wagtail's first album, featuring songs and tunes written by band members: Kristina on guitar, mandolin and vocals, Susannah Blachly on fiddle and vocals,, George White on guitar and vocals, Carter Stowell on percussion, with a guest appearance by tabla player Gabe Halberg. (Thunder Ridge Records 2007)
"... Immersed in the joy of northern New England's rich musical traditions, Vermont's Wagtail fuses the well-loved sounds of fiddle, guitar and mandolin with percussion and fine vocals, bringing to the stage a blend of old time jamming, Celtic melodies, American song-styles and world-beat rhythms. With original writing as their foundation, Wagtail offers a fresh approach to traditional music that's fun, funky and deeply moving..."
