CD also available to order by phone:
1-800-BUY MY CD (CD Baby)
Chicago, IL:
-Old Town School Music Store, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. 773.751.3398
-Old Town School Music Store, 909 W. Armitage 773.751.3410
-Komoda, 2559 W Chicago Ave. 773.276.8229
-Star Lounge, 2521 W Chicago Ave. 773.384.7827
Park Ridge, IL:
-Amphora, 2 N. Northwest Hwy. 847.518.9000
Springfield, IL:
-Food Fantasies, 1512 Wabash Ave. 217.793.8009
-Recycled Records, 625 E Adams St. 217.522.5122
Indie International Winner
2nd place worldwide in the instrumental category
[view online]
Editor's Pick and 5/5 Star Review "In a time when so many new age albums are simply noodling synthesizers or ambient loops and flutes, it's refreshing to hear something in the genre that is actually engaging, played on real instruments.... [T]his is no spacey nonsense, this is an engrossing, darkly pleasing album."
-CDBaby
[full review]
'Relax Your Ears' accepted by Pandora
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After Joel Styzens was diagnosed with tinnitus and hyperacusis, he left his career as a professional drummer to begin composing for guitar and collaborating with CSO cellist Katinka Kleijn, resulting in these captivating, uplifting meditations.
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Biography
One year after completing his degree in percussion and moving to Chicago, Joel Styzens had established a strong presence as a drummer in the local jazz and rock scenes and landed a teaching position at Chicago's renowned Old Town School of Folk Music. In late January 2006, he woke up with the pitch of A-sharp ringing in his ears. Ordinary sounds such as conversations, cars driving past, and clattering dishes registered as painful and startling. Tinnitus and hyperacusis—ringing of the ears and extreme sound sensitivity—threatened to take away his life’s work and passion.
Styzens gave up his drumming career, but he refused to give up music. He sought several experimental treatments and therapies and began composing for acoustic guitar. This April, on his label A-Sharp Records, Styzens released his first album, Relax Your Ears, which recently earned "Editor's Pick" and a 5/5 star review from CD Baby.
The compositions on Relax Your Ears employ varied and unusual tunings. "I hear all these full, resonant sounds and chords that I just can't find in standard tuning, or typical alternate tunings. I had to find a way to make them," says Styzens. "I tune and place my fingers on the fretboard until the right sounds appear."
His intuitive experimentation led to a collaborative partnership with Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Katinka Kleijn, who is prominently featured on the album and whose soaring melodies add a level of depth and emotional intensity. Guitar and cello carries throughout, but saxophone gives a jazz flavor to songs like "Take Anything." Cajon adds a world music flair to songs like "7 8 6," which shows off Styzens' percussionist sensibilities through shifting time signatures. Despite a diversity of instrumentation and textures, the resulting album is unified like movements of a symphony or moments of a film score, combining soothing aspects of New Age music with the compelling energy of Classical Crossover.
Styzens continues to cope with the effects of the tinnitus and hyperacusis, but they have improved gradually with therapy, including a new treatment called Neuromonics, which employs customized white noise and music that interacts with the auditory system. Such experimental therapies have inspired Styzens to compose experimental music as a form of personal therapy. His latest compositions employ painful trigger sounds as instruments. For example, washing dishes hurts, so one of his musical sketches utilizes metal and glass objects such as household plates, glasses, pots, and pans. Using ear-plugs when he plays, Styzens draws on his background as a percussionist to reclaim sounds that have had negative associations for him, turning them into positive and intriguing tunes.
Styzens intends to use A-Sharp Records as a forum where musicians with hearing ailments can connect, collaborate on recordings, and give each other support, using the label’s website to raise awareness about hearing conservation. According to the American Tinnitus Association, over 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus. Supportive networks, as well as widespread public education on the condition and its prevention, are increasingly necessary in a high-volume world.
Three years after his hearing conditions changed his life, Styzens has no intention of focusing on the negative. Tinnitus and hyperacusis have allowed him to uncover new musical passions, composing and playing acoustic guitar. “Composing my own music is more fulfilling than anything I've ever done—it comes from a very deep place."
That was quite an afternoon! Thanks for coming and sharing your talents. I gave Roberta your cd and I'm working on some other possible events. We should do that more often - definitely the highlight of my week.
nice to have all the new tracks up - thanks. I just rolled the 0's into 1's. Wishing you, Katinka and all who worked so hard on the new CD continued success!
A wonderful atmosphere lies in your music. Everything sounds so alive, you can hear each character of every instrument. I really enjoyed listening to your music.
Got the cd's in the mail yesterday. HAHA! I planned to buy one today since its payday but Nonnie and Gramps sent me 3. One for Jon, Zach and I. Diggin it cuz! Its way chill! I love it. Congratulations man!
The show was amazing! (still editing the video clips - will get that to you soon.)
For those of you stopping by and reading this ... order the CD now! (or download thru CDBaby)
Joel and Katinka have created a compelling collection of original compositions filled with warmth, passion and musical exploration that is a joy to hear.
i really like how this page goes with your shirt ; ) I don't think I will be able to go to ur release. being a sunday... and all. but when I make it up there will say hi and buy one.
Hey dude -- did you get a message about our party this coming Saturday? I'll holla atcha later on today -- we should get together this week and do some playing at some point!
Home from a long day and enjoying hearing a little Styzens on the page. Happily surprised to see you found dear little Kara! She is one of those I first saw having fun at UG which encouraged me. And you, sir, showed me what free-style acoustic guitar composition should sound like - what I heard from you matched what was going on in my imagination. I was glad to see someone else heard it, too, and was putting out there. Wishing you all the best on the new release - I'll get there as soon as I can for the gig in April (working that night).
The pieces are beautiful. Really. It's nice that being a musician encompasses so many things- composer, performer, teacher, conductor, et al- that you can find another path if you need to change direction. Thanks for sharing the music with me. Keep me posted.
<br /> Sam
Hey Joel! Have missed seeing you, but great to hear the new recorings coming online. I especially like the clip called "Reflection". My schedule has shifted a bit, but I still plan to make it to the double cd release at UG ... just might be a bit late. I'll stand if I have to! If you have time, check out my newest posting, "A Chance To Breathe" - would love to get your feedback on that one.
Hey, it was awesome seeing you and Heather at the Anais/Susan concert :o) I can't wait to hear the new music and for the album release show at UG! music love- Sarít
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