September, 2001.
Volume 44, No. 05

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The Carillon brings you the weekly news from the University of Regina.

Contact:
The Editor
Newsline:
(306)-586-8867
Fax:
(306)-586-7422
Room 227
Riddell Centre
University of Regina

A little bit of sin might be just the thing that could spruce up an otherwise boring Wednesday Regina night.

At least thatıs what the title of the Wyrd Sisterıs fourth album, Sin and Other Salvations, is suggesting.

³Itıs a deliberately chosen title,² says Kim Baryluk, one of the founding members of the Wyrd Sisters. ³Weıre looking for ways to reclaim things that once were sacred but over the years have become nasty taboos.²

Baryluk says that these things, for example sex, should be celebrated, but have instead become sinful.

The songs speak also of being on a journey for answers about spirituality.

³This album is about a search looking for the connection that makes us human. What connects us to the earth?² says Baryluk.

The collection takes a different approach to spirituality from the traditional, patriarchical Christian beliefs. However, the songs are extremely accessible to anyone from any belief system.

³Weıre trying to be thought-provoking but still hopeful,² says Baryluk.

Barylukıs own spiritual background seems to show through in the music. Her parents were both atheists, but her fatherıs family were traditional Ukranian Catholics.

³My dad would say there is no God. But I went to private Catholic schools with the nuns,² she says, chuckling.

She has researched wicca and pagan beliefs in her search for spirituality.

³I believe in magic. Itıs a way of focussing energy,² she says, but explains that it is more of a community effort and belief system which can help things to change for the better. Currently, she is researching the Quaker religion.

Baryluk finds performances are another way of connecting with people spiritually.

³I like to be in physical contact with the people we are playing for,² she says. ³Itıs a way to connect with humanity and sing music that is filled with love and hope.²

The Sisters are coming to Regina on September 19 to show off their new songs. Though Lianne Fournier has left the Sisters, Kiva, a keyboardist and vocalist has entered the group. As a result, says Baryluk, the music has changed. The edgy jazz beat is gone. Reinhold and Baryluk are making more of the decisions and as such, the album is more cohesive than their last two, says Baryluk.

Also, Kivaıs talent for overtone singing, singing two notes at the same time, has found an excellent home within the smooth harmonies which exemplify the music of the Wyrd Sisters.

There is more country flavour in songs like ³Back Into Your Arms² and ³Everything and More² though they are still roots in the pleasant folk sound of the Wyrd Sisters.

As the Sisters get more exposure in the States there was a conscious effort to keep this album Canadian.

³We want to start out as Canadians with this distinct Canadian sound,² says Baryluk.

There are references to the CBC and Winnipeg, but more than that, the harmonies and lyrics betray this as a Canadian album.

As with their other albums, Sin and Other Salvations seems to carry a message of hope and empowerment.

³People say, Look at all this crap in the world,² says Baryluk. ³How am I, just one little person to fix all this?²