Artist: Ayria
Song: Suck it Up
Toronto based Jennifer Parkin is a performer, singer, songwriter, mathematician and the creator of her own solo electronic music project Ayria. Jennifer Parkin has become a bit of an icon in the underground electronic and industrial music scene with her unique writing, singing and performing style and music with an in-your-face sonic approach that combines electro, synth-pop, industrial, 80’s dance, distorted gritty beats and synths, haunting melodies contrasted with angry distorted chanting all wrapped up with pop structures and catchy hooks. Jennifer started Ayria in 2003 and instantly shook the foundation of the electro and industrial scene by mixing her unique darker underground music style with striking pink feminine visuals. Jennifer began this journey while finishing up a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo and always having been interested in science and science fiction, has tried to incorporate elements of this into Ayria influence.
Ayria has been intensively and successfully touring across the globe over the past 5 years gaining a very solid reputation for putting on energetic live performances with her keyboardist and electronic drummer in tow! Ayria just finished up a successful headlining 2011 Spring tour of both the U.S. West & North East this past April. And a full U.S. tour in 2010. Ayria has independently toured Jenn’s home country of Canada, and then followed it up by touring the U.S.A and Europe opening for legendary band VNV Nation. Ayria has supported dear friends The Cruxshadows on two U.S. tours and a 2 month tour covering Europe & the UK just last year. Ayria has also performed in Japan, Russia and Mexico and played notable festival events such as Dragon*Con in Atlanta in 2009, INFEST in the UK in 2010 as well as TRITON FESTIVAL in NYC in 2010. Ayria has also toured alongside bands: Combichrist, Project Pitchfork, and has played shows with Front Line Assembly and Front 242.
Not fitting into any one musical category has allowed Ayria to gain a very broad fan base of underground, goth, electro, industrial, dance, and various underground club scenes as well as appeal to more mainstream audiences. People have referred to Ayria as the darker version of Lady Gaga, or the industrial Madonna. Jenn grew up with strong and dramatic women like Madonna influencing her childhood musical tastes, but was always more a fan of the darker side of music and and fashion.
Next up, Jenn is currently finishing up a 4th CD titled “Plastic Makes Perfect†to be released in 2012 on Belgium label Alfa Matrix (FRONT 242, LEATHERSTRIP, etc.). Like the previous highly acclaimed release “Hearts For Bulletsâ€, the new CD will also be produced in Canada by Sebastian R. Komor (ICON OF COIL, ZOMBIE GIRL, BRUDERSCHAFT, etc.) With 3 releases to date, on the 4th, fans can once again expect a diverse release full of intense danceable and stompy electro songs, with dark melodies and lyrics full of self exploration but a further refined sound as Ayria pushes further ahead to once again create something unique and addictive.
Almost a year ago, COMA Music Magazine focused an entire week on Jennifer Parkin. You can get the low down on all of that right here.
