Nouvel article sur Theresa S.

[felix]

No 'Idol' time: Theresa Sokyrka is one busy musician

Cam Fuller
The StarPhoenix

April 22, 2005


CREDIT: Richard Marjan, The StarPhoenix

Theresa Sokyrka is happy living in Saskatoon, where it's 'so quiet and nice'




A year and two weeks ago, Contestant Number 6517 sang a song called God Bless The Child for a panel of celebrity judges.

Who could have known that the young singer would go on to win the hearts of her home province and most of the country in the knock-down, drag-out summer-long talent dust-up known as Canadian Idol?

Certainly not Theresa Sokyrka herself.

"At the beginning I thought I didn't really have a chance,'' the famously modest musician said this week.

Sokyrka thought that leaning more toward jazz than pop would hurt her chances -- until the judges told her and the others that individuality was important.

"I was happy when they were looking for people who were into music and had a life in music.''

Sokyrka's musical life has its own kind of birthday this weekend when she stages her biggest hometown concert ever and introduces her newly minted debut CD These Old Charms.

"It came so quickly and so effortlessly,'' Sokyrka said of the recording.

She used all-Saskatchewan players and even enjoyed disagreeing with them at times.

"They were so much fun to record with. They're all older guys and they have different views of things.''

Many of the songs were determined by the fans, who insisted on Cruisin', Good Mother and Summertime. The song that started it all, God Bless The Child, is there as well. The disc also has three original tunes by Sokyrka, including the first single Turned My Back. Officially out Tuesday, the album will be distributed nationally.

Sokyrka gave some thought to starting her post-Idol music career in Toronto and actually moved there for three months during the black-out period imposed on her after the TV show ended. She got her bearings and learned what she needed to, but a long-term stay was out of the question.

"I just felt wrong about it. I felt I moved too quickly and didn't have a plan. When you don't have a plan things kick you in the butt.

"I'm happy here,'' Sokyrka adds. "I like living in Saskatoon. It's so quiet and nice.''

She is still stopped for autographs occasionally, but usually people just want to tell her how proud they are of her. "People still recognize me but I still have great head space here.''

Things have changed in positive and not-so-positive ways in the past year for Sokyrka. Now 24 (her birthday is April 1), she feels she's grown up a lot -- been compelled to, in fact.

"I think I got more mature in the last year because there have been a lot of decisions thrown my way.''

Sokyrka says the pressure she felt during Idol is nothing to what it's like now pursuing her music career as she learns the business of the business. Her punishing schedule has put pressure on her relationships as well.

"It's changed me and it's changed other people who are in my life. My friends aren't around a lot anymore. I'm just so busy.

"That's the biggest thing in my life that I miss the most.''

Busy hardly describes it. In addition to advancing her music career, Sokyrka has taken on the role of Saskatchewan's centennial year youth ambassador

"I love being around kids. I find them so uplifting.''

In her free time (ha!) Sokyrka has several events planned around the release of her album.

An all-ages launch party for kids and parents is Monday at 7 p.m. at the Odeon Events Centre. An adults-only one is April 28 at the Odeon. She has store appearances at Future Shop on Tuesday and Saskatoon Optical on Wednesday. (Check out her schedule at www.theresafanclub.com.) But the biggie is the Centennial Auditorium concert. It might seem a little bold to do the big room so soon, but "it was my dad's idea," she says. Former contestant #6517 will be backed by the Metro Jazz Band.

"They are polished and unbelievable. It sounds like Frank Sinatra's band. It's going to be a great show.''

Theresa Sokyrka in concert with the Metro Jazz Band

Sunday, 7:30 p.m.

Centennial Auditorium

Tickets $29.75

Call 938-7800

source: The StarPhoenix, april 22, 2005
http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starpho ... bc781411ee