Kalyna is currently taking time off of performing to enter her creative world, but looks forward to entering the outside world again in due time. Her music keeps changing and evolving over the years, as it does with the changes of life, experience and growth. From sultry jazz to distorted grunge, she is excited to share her new explorations with you soon.
For the past few years, since 2020, Kalyna Rakel and Dan Gurman have travelled around the world playing music together, performing as a loud and grungey duo in dive bars across Canada, America, the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Their duo consists of Kalyna on guitar, harmonica and drums as well providing vocals that fuse the power and unique qualities of Janis Joplin and Lena Lovich. She commands your attention and sings from the heart until it bleeds with gut-curdling emotion. Accompanied by guitar maestro Dan Gurman, who sits coolly impervious at the eye of the storm, Kalyna’s music rampages round the crowd like a tornado at a vicar’s tea party. It sweeps all before it, grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Together they balance and produce a bulldozer of sound. To hear their music, check out their live-off-the-floor album together called 'Welcome to the Show’ available on all online platforms.
PRESS
“The dozen originals on Before & After You announce a new roots-rock voice has arrived. Whether she is tearing up the highway on Yellow-Blue or crooning like a mix of Amy Winehouse and Rickie Lee Jones on My First Love Song, Rakel sounds completely in control of her voice and message.” - VANCOUVER SUN
“Her velvet voice and soulful melodies are as pleasing as it gets, and her lyrics are both intimate and inspirational.” - KEEP WALKING MUSIC, MADRID
“She sings in a way that feels so raw and natural and that is entirely unique to her. With every note she sings, the listener gets a feeling of unbridled authenticity.... real without ever alienating listeners; something I haven’t felt since Lily Allen.” - STEREO STICKMAN
“Kalyna Rakel sent out soul shivers into the hearts of her intent listeners” - FOLK MUSIC ONTARIO (WEBSITE 2019)