Skylar Gudasz
Durham, NC | Established. Jan 01, 2016 | SELF
Music
Press
“Skylar Gudasz and The Ugly Girls bring a warming sound of dreamy folk music that boast layers of well-crafted parts to well-crafted songs. Their melodies are familiar but unique all at the same time, making the music incredibly accesible but different enough to stick out amongst the crowd of like-minded bands.” - The Bottom String
“Gudasz’s sharp pop sensibilities and rich lyrical imagery mesh well with lush folk-centered arrangements that jangle and flash with the occasional rock or jazz influence…from bright, summery toe-tappers with pop-perfect three-part harmonies to deliberate ballads with drama…Gudasz’s smooth singing melts over the tastefully orchestrated tunes and richly detailed tales…Their maturity and versatility set high expectations for a mighty fine future.” - Independent Weekly
"...Skylar Gudasz may not be the real or imagined kin of such folk giants as a Cohen, a Wainwright, or, say Joni Mitchell, but her and her compatriots’ debut forces such family resemblances.
Two Headed Monster, while clocking in at a all-too-brief twenty nine minutes, weaves tales of midnight-lovers and dream-believers, while painting airy, tranced, sonic landscapes...The warm, trademarked organ whir of producer Jeff Crawford continues on the second track, Killing, perhaps the most accessible and infectious of the album. Gudasz leaves behind the mystery and mystique of Hotel Chelsea lobby muzak for a just a moment to surprisingly channel the absolute best of a nineties coffeehouse Sheryl Crow....
The freedom of her characters’ newfound “fast sets of legs” sprint throughout the remainder of the album amid the Ugly Girls’ (spoiler alert: they’re really boys!) poppy “badda bahs” and William Taylor’s precise tone on his diligent solos. Skylar’s voice only gets deeper and richer as the album winds to the end of its breathless half hour.
The shape-noted O West closes by employing a gifted choir of some of Triangle NC’s finest young guns. As the choristers’ voices rise Casey Toll’s gravitational double bass tethers the ghoulish party to the studio floor..." - The Blue Indian
Discography
ALBUMS:
Two Headed Monster (Self Released, 2011)
Photos
Bio
Fueled by the songwriting and singing of multi-instrumentalist Skylar Gudasz, The Ugly Girls are just setting out on their dreamy folk pop jazz journey. Based in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Ugly Girls came together as half flotsam from old bands and half coincidental meeting in crazy circus jam experiences in Carrboro basements. With backgrounds in jazz, classical guitar, Suzuki flute and self-taught accompaniment, the Ugly Girls channel Joni Mitchell, the occasional swing of Buena Vista Social Club, and the dark country of Gillian and Emmylou.
Two Headed Monster, their first studio album, was recorded at Arbor Ridge Studios with Jeff Crawford, and features guests Charles Cleaver and Lauren Paynter as well as the O! West Late Night Lovers Chorus: a 30 person chorus made up of friends, family and local musicians captured singing together on a dreary January night at the tree-surrounded studio. It was released May 10, 2011 to praise of "maturity" and "versatility" for its "tastefully orchestrated tunes and richly detailed tales".
Skylar and the Ugly Girls are currently working on production of a music video for their song "Two Headed Monster" and getting ready for their summer and early fall East Coast tour.
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