Faithful To Their Roots; Expanding Their Horizons
By Arthur Gonick
Saratoga TODAY
SARATOGA SPRINGS – This is a band that has always done it right, and it continues to pay off big time. Audiences nationwide are learning what many Capital Region music aficionados have known for years – Sirsy is a standout.
Whether you are long-time fans of this duo or just about to learn about them, it is worth circling them on your dance card as you plan your travels around downtown Saratoga Springs on New Years Eve.
Local favorites Sirsy (Melanie Khramer and Rich Libutti) will be making an appearance for two sets as part of First Night Saratoga 2015 festivities. They will be playing two sets, at 8 and 11 p.m., at the Saratoga Springs City Center’s Meeting Room number 1.
If it will be your first time experiencing a Sirsy performance, expect to see instrumental multi-taskers extraordinaire. The Boston Globe has pretty much summed it up when it deemed them the “Little band. Big sound.” Indeed, the band has a unique visual appeal. In fact, you may not quite believe what you are seeing.
Melanie (“Mel” to her fans) has the responsibility for being a one-person percussion section, spiced up with frequent flute solos, while providing the vocals for the band’s infectious, mostly original tunes that are alternatively powerful and introspective, danceable and heartfelt. Rich plays everything else, including seething guitar; bass (on a keyboard at his feet.) He is the anchor to Melanie's on stage tornado. Indeed, he appears to have as much going on below his ankles as above during a show.
Sirsy is nothing if not prolific. They both write the music; Mel takes care of the lyrics, which often are surprisingly meditative and self-examining. It’s an interesting contrast to their between songs banter, or when you talk with them between sets, as the conversation is usually littered with laughter and optimism.
They are about to release their sixth studio album in 2015. “We’ve got about 15 songs half-done,” Melanie reported, “and we already have five that we consider complete. We’ll work with our producers and with their help eventually pare the album down to about 15 songs on the finished product.”
Translating the dynamism of a live performance into a studio album is not an easy thing, and so Sirsy has a lot of praise for the producers who make it happen. Paul Kolderie and Sean Slade are Grammy-winners who have worked with accomplished artists such as Hole, Radiohead, Dresden Dolls and Pixies. “Our fans have said that the energy of our live show hasn't translated onto our previous recordings.” Melanie said. “They are going to notice a different energy level on this record and it's because of how Paul and Sean worked with us.”
Yet, there is no doubt that to date, fans have already been buying Sirsy’s CD’s in copious numbers, not to mention other assorted souvenirs of their experience. If anything distinguishes Sirsy as a distinctive power duo above and beyond their music, it’s their ability to ingeniously promote themselves. If they weren’t great musicians, they could easily make a living as a creative agency. Simply put: people want their stuff.
These purchases usually occur at the ever-present “merch” table— a staple at every show – usually staffed with a few members “The Sirsy Army” – a legion of fans that faithfully volunteer to help sell assorted products. In addition to studio CD’s, these goods have included t-shirts, “authorized” bootlegs (of their live performances) and even panties! All of which helps to put gas in their van (“We’re on our third now,”) Mel noted.
That third van has helped Sirsy log well over 100,000 miles in the past two years, with signature appearances such as the prestigious South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) and leading listening rooms from coast to coast such as West Hollywood, CA’s Viper Room and NYC’s Gramercy Theatre. They have already been asked back to SXSW and will have a featured showcase at the legendary Bluebird Café in Nashville next March.
Overall, Sirsy has perfected an audience dynamic that you rarely, if ever, see elsewhere. For one thing, Sirsy’s fans have told me on several occasions that they are there because they find it easy to root for Mel and Rich. But that door swings both ways.
The vibe at their shows is very inclusive and collegial – everyone feels welcome and it has a feel similar you to going to see members of your family perform. In this context, attending a Sirsy show is fulfilling for everyone – the energy of the performers interacting with attendees is mirrored by the sustenance Mel and Rich draw from those fans, and the result is a ‘nuclear synergy’ of good will. The end result: A great time had by all.
Go see them, and tell me if it isn’t so.
For more information, visit sirsy.com
