Crystin Byrd: Press

Crystin Byrd is a known singer to this listener, and it is always a pleasure to hear her sweet, lyrical voice. Byrd’s connection with the audience is the most natural of the evening; her band is professional and highly skilled, blending well with Byrd’s vocals and guitar. Todd Bayles on accordion/piano, and Scott Allen (a.k.a. The Cello Man) blend seamlessly with Byrd, her voice a sophisticated mélange of both bright and warm tones. She moves between banter with the band and conversation with the audience fluidly, telling stories of song-writing and collaboration as her teal blue guitar perches on her pregnant belly. The Irish-influenced music ranges from poignant ballads to struggles of finding self and happiness. Clear and achingly beautiful soprano runs seemed easy and graceful, and pull the audience into visuals of dancing children “as they spin and spin around.” Byrd paints the challenge of any musician who writes of low points, describing how she “try[s] to sing [her] way through this darkness.” Byrd and her collection of musicians are rich and warm, a wonderful way to end an early evening nestled in this cozy and humble North Portland hangout. Crystin Byrd can be found at her website and on MySpace.

Your songs and singing inspire me. Sing to ME!

2 songs - Honorable Mention - 2001
"Gratitude"
and
"Sing To Me"

I first heard about Crystin Byrd through a recommendation from a friend of mine. I was in search of a band to cover the theme song for the indie film "Making Maya (2003)", and wasn't having much luck. Demo CDs were being sent in week by week by different local artists, but none really grabbed my attention. I was looking for that one voice...one that was beautiful, unique and most of all, real...and I found it in Crystin Byrd.

"A beautiful piece of work by an especially gifted lyricist who expresses powerful emotions with pure poetry."
~Marie Schumacher, singer-songwriter, conductor of PDX VOX

"Haunting! My God! Tight, Simple with heartfelt wonder- the singer, she's breathtaking! The crescendo of it all to the end - the buildup, it seemed to tug at something deep inside me...no instrument overpowered another it was simply used to create a mood...well, they mooded me!"
~garageband review from Roselle

"Please, Can I Have Some More? This band is solid all the way around and a pleasure to hear. I want more!"
~garageband review from Ccote

"Great voice, super production, crystal clear great values."
~garageband review from Pbook

"thank you. It's nice to hear someone who understands how to manipulate harmonic structure. Great voice, great instrumentation and orchestration. I love the rythmic contrast. Definitely have a great song on your hands and a lot of talent. Extra Credit: Female Vocals, Lyrics."
~garageband review from Westbelly

"Great vocals, great production...we have a winner."
~garageband review from waltzforvenus

"Vocals are superb and the singer has a powerful voice. You've got a contender here... in my opinion."
~Rick McLaughlin