Tracks from Kristina's 2011 release "Raven" on the Sweetgrass Music label, available now at www.cdbaby.com.

www.kristinastykos.com
www.sweetgrassmusic.com


Buy Now!

Raven: Kristina Stykos with Philip Aaberg

The Cousins Project: Kristina Stykos and Steve Mayone
Beautiful Blood © 2013 Thunder Ridge Records

Beautiful Blood: The Cousins Project

River of Light

Inspired by travel & retreat time in the Rocky Mountain region of the US, these new songs from Kristina Stykos bring to life the exquisite & harsh landscapes of the west and of the heart. A punchy new sound featuring a cast of all-stars from Vermont's roots rock scene.

www.kristinastykos.com 

Wyoming Territory: Kristina Stykos

One of Vermont's off-road treasures, producer-singer & songwriter Kristina Stykos has released a 5th solo album and takes her signature hard-bitten rural tale telling to a new level, with humor & unsentimental grace, supported by a team of roots-rock and jazz inflected local luminaries.

Horse Thief © 2015 Thunder Ridge Records/thunderridgerecords.com
All songs by Kristina Stykos © 2014 Kristina Stykos/BMI/Horse Thief Publishing/kristinastykos.com 
Produced, recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, VT/ pepperboxstudio.com 
Mastered by Fred Kevorkian/Avatar Studios, NYC/kevorkianmastering.com
Package design & layout by Darryl Garland/red-garland.com
Portraits of Kristina by Jack Rowell/jackrowell.com
“The Approaching Storm” by John Churchman/brickhousestudios.com

1. Horse Thief 4:17
2. It's Over 4:12
3. Heart in the Wreckage 4:30
4. Me, Myself and Moi 2:40
5. It's a Mystery 4:01
6. By the Minute 4:10
7. Let It Run 4:31
8. You'll Never Love Me 4:10
9. Talk to Me 4:00
10. When You Love Someone 4:33
11. Human of Peace 5:19
12. As If Tears Could Say 4:48
13. Remembering 3:40

1. Horse Thief
Kristina Stykos: vocal, guitar, keyboard
Bow Thayer: bojotars, background vocal
Patrick Ross: fiddle
Alex Abraham: bass
Matt Musty: drums

2. It’s Over
Kristina Stykos: vocal, guitars, mandolin, keyboard, bass
Jeff Berlin: drums

3. Heart in the Wreckage
Kristina Stykos: vocal, keyboard, guitars
Jeff Berlin: drums

4. Me, Myself and Moi
Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitar, keyboard, bass
Jeff Berlin: drums

5. It’ a Mystery
Kristina Stykos: vocal, guitar, keyboard, bass
Neal Massa: piano
Nikki Matheson: background vocals
Matt Musty: drums

6. By the Minute
Kristina Stykos: vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboard, banjo, bass
Steve Mayone: electric guitars
Jeff Berlin: drums

7. Let It Run
Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, keyboard, bass
Jeff Berlin: drums


8. You’ll Never Love Me
Kristina Stykos: vocal, acoustic guitar, mandola, keyboard
Steve Mayone: electric guitars, bass
Jeff Berlin: drums

9. Talk to Me
Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitar, bass
Neal Massa: piano
Matt Musty: drums 

10. When You Love Someone
Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, mandola, keyboard, bass
Jeff Berlin: drums

11. Human of Peace
Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, keyboard, bass
Nikki Matheson: background vocals
Matt Musty: drums

12. As If Tears Could Say
Kristina Stykos: vocal, piano, guitars

13. Remembering
Kristina Stykos: piano, banjo, guitar


Horse Thief

Kristina Stykos: vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, keyboard, bass, mandolin
Jeff Berlin: drums

Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont

IT'S OVER
(c) 2015 Kristina Stykos/BMI/Horse Thief Publishing 

It wasn’t really
Too much of a fight
He just broke what was around
Told me I was no good
I kicked the wall  
Hard as I could

And I threw down my stars 
And I shouted at the night
Still I couldn’t get him
To do me right

So I hung it up
And went to the local bar
And then I drove around and around in my car
I used my smile
To fabricate charm 

Now the remnants of my face
Can’t make him feel that way
It’s all that I was hoping for
It’s all that’s given way

What do you do
As your lover drifts away
drifts away

He always told me 
I was depressed
My restless confusion
I admit I suppressed it to try to fit an illusion
Like a bird in a net
Trying to jump up and fly 

I’m not sorry that I’m angry
I’m not sorry that I’m sad
I’ve got this beautiful fever
That’s needs some love so bad

What do you do
When you love’s done been had 
Yeah it's over
It's over

---




"It's Over" Kristina Stykos

RAVEN

Raven, raven in a tree
If I was a young man I’d have three
One for to weep, the other for to sew
One for to miss me when I go

Hear her cry, watch her fly
Hear her cry, watch her fly

Raven, raven in the sky
Weary day, weary night
I thought I heard a pretty girl say
I work all night and I sleep all day

Hear her cry, watch her fly
Hear her cry, watch her fly

Raven, raven black as silk
Dark as night, pure as milk
Fold me in your ragged arms
Keep my heart away from harm

Hear me cry, watch me fly
Hear me cry, watch me fly


---



Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, mandolin
Philip Aaberg: keyboards

All songs by Kristina Stykos 
© 2011 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Arranged, engineered and co-produced by Kristina Stykos and Philip Aaberg, with production help from Ian Huhtala 
Recorded at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont and The Bin, Chester, Montana

Artwork by Brian Cohen: Red-Winged Blackbird from The Bird Book, © 2004 and Water from The Fool's Journey © 2007
Inside painting “Raven’s Journey” by Kristina Stykos
Package design by Darryl Garland, www.red-garland.com
Photos of Kristina by Herve Pelletier
Mastered by Tom Scheponik at Discmakers
Sweetgrass Music © 2011 SGM0007
For more information about this recording:
www.sweetgrassmusic.com  
www.kristinastykos.com

Special thanks to my brother Marek Stycos who supported the first phase of this album’s creation, to my friend Phil Aaberg for sharing his creative brilliance and to my husband Michael Millard for bringing me the joy of the world’s best guitars. Additional thanks to Yamaha for the S-6 piano; Muse Research for the Receptor; Hans Adamson for the Malmsjo piano.


"Raven, Raven" Kristina Stykos

Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, keyboard
Jeff Berlin: drums

Heart in the Wreckage
©2014 Kristina Stykos/Horse Thief Publishing/BMI

brother, your mercy 
for the way I’m crying
seeking consolation
      		     
brother, your patience
in my hour of need 
my children 
are so far from me

brother your shoulder
and your even hand
when my body needs you
to be a man 

brother your silence
and your listening
for the heart 
in the wreckage
             		       
It doesn’t seem wrong 	                   
baby what’s love for
If it ain’t for this
I don’t want it anymore
You know I can’t be strong
Every single day
You got to hold the light
Until the darkness goes

brother, your anger
you can lay it down
my gentle tears 
are no enemy

brother, stop yourself
from losing ground
and killing off 
all that’s good in me

It doesn’t seem wrong 	                   
baby what’s love for
If it ain’t for this
I don’t want it anymore
You know I can’t be strong
Every single day
You got to hold the light
Until the darkness goes

brother, your words
don’t know what they say
they find no peace
in their reckoning

brother, I see him
he who knows the way
without his mind
to the heart 
in the wreckage

It doesn’t seem wrong 	                   
baby what’s love for
If it ain’t for this
I don’t want it anymore
You know I can’t be strong
Every single day
You got to hold the light
Until the darkness goes


"Heart In The Wreckage" Kristina Stykos

Kristina Stykos: acoustic guitar, vocals
Bow Thayer: bojotar, vocals
Patrick Ross: fiddle
Alex Abraham: bass
Matt Musty: drums

Recorded &  mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont. Mastered by Fred Kevorkian, NYC. Portraits of Kristina by Jack Rowell. 

Horse Thief
- for James Ian Pelttari
© Kristina Stykos/BMI/Horse Thief Publishing

I saw the light
But it was no use
No one cared to save me
I was on the loose

I was just a horse thief
A running from the noose

who can say when I saw
the stars were not aligned
anyway, I fell in love
and put it from my mind

I was just a horse thief
I took what I could find

I gave her my answer
she believed it true
we drank from that river
I believed it too

I was just a horse thief
Drinking’s what I knew

Down by the Nechako River
she emptied my desire
then said it was over
and left me by the fire

I was just a horse thief
But she called me a liar

So I made it look easy
followed her inside
she was used to power
I had things to hide

I was just a horse thief
I only stole what I could ride 

she fell then to sleeping
I loaded my gun
to protect my future
from what love had done

I was just a horse thief
I didn’t need the sun

Wolverine, Golden Dream
who will clean the slate 
touch me when I’m fearful
hold me when I hate

I was just a horse thief
By some cruel twist of fate


"Horse Thief" Kristina Stykos

Kristina Stykos: guitar, vocals, keyboard, bass, handclaps
Jeff Berlin: drums

Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont

(c)2014 Kristina Stykos/BMI/Horse Thief Publishing

Me, Myself and Moi by Kristina Stykos

Baby I miss you, maybe it’s wrong
Days turn like pages, I write another song
Watch my well-laid plans turning to ash
All those letters thrown in the trash 

I must be frickin crazy – could it possibly be true
That my short term memory - remembers you? 
I try to forget you and to push your love away
All the things you told me that keep getting in my way

My efforts to resist failed - but don’t knock it
It’s tricky keeping rainbows in your pocket
And so I must reflect upon the things that I have done
And honestly assess the ass I have become 

Baby I still miss you in the streets of the night
One foot in the gutter of a love that wasn’t right 
Where you had my attention but I could not get through
Your distain like the rain – what’s a girl to do

I need a 12 step, two step 
quarter sawn fix 
or a savvy zen seduction
I need clickable buttons 
and a 1-5 list of simple tips 
and how-to instructions, 
I need, I need, I need, I need, I need baby some love from
Me, myself and I (Moi)

I got to care for something, deal with things I don’t like
My car’s broke down - but I can take a bike
I feel defiant, and so I will declare myself free
From every man who ever beat the shit out of me 

And I’m happy, I did the best anyone could
To satisfy and mollify and gratify and testify
and make the average man feel - pretty good!
Now if I could find one I understood 

I need a 12 step, two step 
quarter sawn fix 
or a savvy zen seduction
I need clickable buttons 
and a 1-5 list of simple tips 
and how-to instructions, 
Let’s see… what do I need … something …
Me, myself and (Moi)

















"Me, Myself and Moi" Kristina Stykos

Kristina Stykos: guitar, vocals, bass, keyboard
Neal Massa: piano
Nikki Matheson: background vocals
Matt Musty: drums

Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, VT
Mastered by Fred Kevorkian, Avatar Studios, NYC

It’s a Mystery
© 2014 Kristina Stykos/BMI/ Horse Thief Publishing

I’m stuck in middle
Of what you say
And what you are doing

Silence walks these rooms
Whistling a mindless tune
Making me crazy

Eye to eye, fear to fear
When did you decide
To bury our love and hide

All that’s left are tears
I cry but no one hears
My broken voice won’t carry

Don’t let it be said
Your faith in me was blind
Don’t mix me up with any other person
Don’t tell it and slant it
The story’s still half mine
Now it’s time to put it to rest – it’s a mystery

All the words unsaid
Stuffed in my pillow
And underneath my bed

So many candles burned
Useless pride don’t learn
My heart’s angry at your head

Don’t let it be said
Your faith in me was blind
Don’t mix me up with any other person
Don’t tell it and slant it
The story’s still half mine
Now it’s time to put it to rest – it’s a mystery



"It's A Mystery" Kristina Stykos

Credits:

Kristina Stykos: acoustic guitar, vocals, Yamaha S90 (organ, wurlitzer)
Steve Mayone: electric guitars, bass, backup vocals
Val McCallum: electric guitar including solos
Jeff Berlin: drums
Abby Jenne: backup vocals

Produced, recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea VT. 

State Line Diner
(c)2018 Kristina Stykos

It seems so cruel just one headlight
I can’t see half of what I should tonight
You said: she won’t pass inspection, that piece of junk
So you took the Chevy and I got drunk 

But she ain’t a clunker, not yet - knock on wood
She still got some gas there under the hood
I really didn’t mean to run her into the ground
But reckless love can take you down

State Line Diner coming up fast
We could park it for the night
I could put on a dress
Take our coins from the kitty
On the juke box dime
You could hold me like you mean it
One more time

So I shined her up, I hid the rust
I painted on a sky of blue, washed off the dust
But she still lost fluid, her spark wouldn’t fire
You parked her out behind the barn and took off her tires

The day I surrender and lay my chassis down
And empty my compartments, and crumble to the ground
I’ll still be full of living cuz I ain’t done yet
And that highway of love, you give it what you get

State Line Diner coming up fast
We could park it for the night
I could put on a dress
Take our coins from the kitty
On the juke box dime
You could hold me like you mean it
One more time

State Line Diner, coffee that lasts
you got breakfast for dinner
pool hall’s in back
mufflers in the parking lot
all in a row
There’s nothing to lose
When you’ve no where to go

State Line Diner, toothpicks are free
Mother lovin’ truckers 
as far as you can see
Take our coins from the kitty
On the juke box dime
You could hold me like you mean it
One more time

State Line Diner

"State Line Diner" Kristina Stykos

Credits:

Kristina Stykos: vocals, acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin, bass, Yamaha S90 (organ)
Steve Mayone: acoustic guitar including solo & electric guitar, lap steel, hand drum
Val McCallum: electric guitar, background vocal

Produced, recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea VT

Since You Asked 
(c)2018 Kristina Stykos

The leaves are soft beneath my feet 
water’s churned up, there’s mud in the creek
the winter ice is melting
its hard packed sorrow
the raw blood of the trees & the shifting clouds
and the tender light, & the bud red boughs
may the gentle offer of love run sweet
tomorrow

The clearing where a hundred trees came down
Is filling up with twilight and the sound
Of the silent heavens rolling 
and the rain drops’ silver tears 
And so I’ve dropped my body to the ground
And closed my eyes as the coyotes come ‘round
And prayed the dark would keep me from 
my fears

I guess I’ve got a reason 
a need - for what it’s worth
just to walk alone 
on the stubble of this earth
Yes I’ve got a reason and 
its always been that way
cannot bend my wheel
cannot fake my laugh
cannot stuff my words away
Since you asked

The house has just been sitting 
since I don’t know when
This end of the hard road
ain’t gonna get fixed again
all them empty windows and a 
pretty light no one can see
But I got my job as a woods ramblin’
child at play, out where
No one’s using me 
or trying to push me away
Where I can sing, and I can love and
I can look clear down at my life

Not shackled by the issues 
or the rule books of men
Or undone by the shaming of fools
or what’s been
The places still hidden 
have nothing to reveal
But by grace and by wing 
by plow and by fire
The honest upheaval of 
truth will require
the plain speaking voice
of compassion to honor what’s real

Since You Asked

"Since You Asked" Kristina Stykos

LET'S CHERISH THE DAY

Come away, come with me now
Rise in the stillness - don’t make a sound
Step through this doorway blue as the sky
We’ll find a way, We’ll find the time
 
Come away, open your eyes
Walk in the river of the sunrise
Follow me quickly, through willow and pine
Gather your senses, share what is mine
 
Let’s cherish the day 
For all that we’ve seen
Cherish the winds of change 
For against them we lean
Cherish the tears of love
Pure channels through time
We’ll find a way

Let’s cherish the day 
For all that we’ve dreamed
Cherish the leaf and the journey
The current, the stream
Cherish the crossroads
And those left behind
Cherish your life

Come away, there is no lie
Under this hemlock, under this sky
Come empty-handed, blessed and new
Lay here beside me hidden from view

Let’s cherish the day 
For all that we’ve seen
Cherish the winds of change 
For against them we lean
Cherish the tears of love
Pure channels through time
We’ll find a way

Let’s cherish the day 
For all that we’ve dreamed
Cherish the leaf and the journey
The current, the stream
Cherish the crossroads
And those left behind
Cherish your life


---

Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, mandolin
Philip Aaberg: keyboards

All songs by Kristina Stykos 
© 2011 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Arranged, engineered and co-produced by Kristina Stykos and Philip Aaberg, with production help from Ian Huhtala 
Recorded at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont and The Bin, Chester, Montana

Artwork by Brian Cohen: Red-Winged Blackbird from The Bird Book, © 2004 and Water from The Fool's Journey © 2007
Inside painting “Raven’s Journey” by Kristina Stykos
Package design by Darryl Garland, www.red-garland.com
Photos of Kristina by Herve Pelletier
Mastered by Tom Scheponik at Discmakers
Sweetgrass Music © 2011 SGM0007
For more information about this recording:
www.sweetgrassmusic.com  
www.kristinastykos.com

Special thanks to my brother Marek Stycos who supported the first phase of this album’s creation, to my friend Phil Aaberg for sharing his creative brilliance and to my husband Michael Millard for bringing me the joy of the world’s best guitars. Additional thanks to Yamaha for the S-6 piano; Muse Research for the Receptor; Hans Adamson for the Malmsjo piano.


"Let's Cherish the Day" Kristina Stykos

WING AND A PRAYER

It’s the sun on a golden glass
It’s the fresh air at last
Gonna be with you tonight, yeah

Swan circling a hidden pool
I know I love you - like a fool
Gonna be with you tonight, yeah

Snow falling on a day in June
It's Venus shining above the moon
Gonna be with you tonight, yeah

It’s just about every way I feel
When I wake and this dream is real
Gonna be with you tonight, yeah

Feel the crush of rushing water
Cliffs that rise so achingly high
So far to fall
Would-be disaster
No time for why

I’m running on a wing and a prayer
I still can’t believe you’re there
Gonna be with you tonight, yeah

I’m flying down this open road
I finally got a place to go
Gonna be with you tonight, yeah

Feel the crush of rushing water
Cliffs that rise so achingly high
So far to fall
Would-be disaster
No time for why


---

Kristina Stykos: guitars and vocals


All songs by Kristina Stykos 
© 2011 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI

Kristina Stykos: Guitars, Mandolin, Vocals
Philip Aaberg: Keyboards, Piano, Bass, and Percussion

Arranged, engineered and co-produced by Kristina Stykos and Philip Aaberg, with production help from Ian Huhtala 
Recorded at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont and The Bin, Chester, Montana

Artwork by Brian Cohen: Red-Winged Blackbird from The Bird Book, © 2004 and Water from The Fool's Journey © 2007

Inside painting “Raven’s Journey” by Kristina Stykos
Package design by Darryl Garland, www.red-garland.com
Photos of Kristina by Herve Pelletier
Mastered by Tom Scheponik at Discmakers
Sweetgrass Music © 2011 SGM0007
For more information about this recording:
www.sweetgrassmusic.com  
www.kristinastykos.com

Special thanks to my brother Marek Stycos who supported the first phase of this album’s creation, to my friend Phil Aaberg for sharing his creative brilliance and to my husband Michael Millard for bringing me the joy of the world’s best guitars. Additional thanks to Yamaha for the S-6 piano; Muse Research for the Receptor; Hans Adamson for the Malmsjo piano.

"Wing And A Prayer" Kristina Stykos

BACKWAY TO VICTORY (Kristina Stykos)

(Victory, Vermont: pop. 67)

it’s a cold and wintry day my love have we lost our way
sun’s up but it’s coming down there’s darkness on my mind
where the road and the tangled rivers rise no shelter baby now 
maybe it’s a fatal flaw thinking we can see at all
beyond this valley, beyond the sky

why, why do we cry, why do we care, oh baby why
the sugar moon’s up, I reckon, we could sure use the light
on the back way to Victory tonight

it’s a wild land and we’ve run aground on the shores of paradise
night glows with heaven’s fire and a thousand questions
thrown down by a sliver of moon and the wind swept four directions
but don’t lay down baby let’s go we’ve got to trust what we already know
And find a path through our creation

why, why do we cry, why do we care, oh baby why
the sugar moon’s up, I reckon, we could sure use the light
on the back way to Victory tonight

the geese go swiftly wing to cloud how simple then to fly
and never have a need to feel a lover’s warmth or comfort
or walk alone in the fields reaching out from a broken life
but we’ll divine us a northern branch by god while there’s still a chance 
we’ll make our run toward salvation

why, why do we cry, why do we care, oh baby why
the sugar moon’s up, I reckon, we could sure use the light
on the back way to Victory tonight


---

Steve Mayone: electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, percussion
Kristina Stykos: lead vocal, acoustic guitar, piano, harmony vocal
Jeff Berlin: drums and percussion


Produced by Kristina Stykos
Recorded by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio (Chelsea VT) and by Steve Mayone at Proofbox Studio (Somerville MA). 
Mixed by Kristina Stykos with Steve Mayone
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, Zampol Productions, NYC
Package Design by Rachel Mello
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records
Cover photo by John Churchman
Additional photos by Michael Millard, Steve Mayone and Kristina Stykos

www.thecousinsproject.com
www.kristinastykos.com
www.pepperboxstudio.com
www.thunderridgerecords.com
www.stevemayone.com

"Backway to Victory" The Cousins Project

Credits:

Kristina Stykos: vocal, acoustic guitar, banjo, Yamaha S90 (accordion)
Steve Mayone: electric guitar, bass
Jeff Berlin: drums
Patrick Ross: fiddle
Abby Jenne: backup vocals

Produced, recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea VT

Walking These Ridges 
(c) 2018 Kristina Stykos

Guess I’ll walk 
‘til I run out of sun
Guess my plans 
Just won’t get done

And I been thinking
That now I don’t cry
Yeah
And I never show need
And I don’t take comforts
From a world of greed

Now I’m sitting in the snow 
Up at tree line
Sipping on a flask 
Of juniper wine
Puzzled by the notion that 
I never said no
Never understood 
Why I couldn’t let go

He took me to the drink
I tumbled through the ice
I gave it all to him
 Cuz he treated me nice
He loved me good 
Like a liar should
Who feels nothing

So now I don’t cry
And I never show need
And I don’t take comforts
From a world of greed

I don’t need no one 
Calling my name
I don’t need any more 
Walks of shame
I don’t need to trust you 
Or give you my skin
So don’t ask me

It’s all just a cheat 
It’s all gonna go
It’s all gonna pass 
And we’re never gonna know
All of that gold 
Just lying in the ground

And I get what I can
Walking these ridges
I’m not looking for a man

Walking These Ridges

"Walking These Ridges" Kristina Stykos

Credits:

Kristina Stykos: mandola, vocal
Val McCallum: lap steel, electric guitar, bass, backup vocals
Jeff Berlin: drums

Produced, recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea VT

At the Edge
(c)2018 Kristina Stykos

We’re at the edge, standing in the glitter glow 
The ripples of the river light slide on by
Let’s get ready speaking not duplicity 
Dodging no reality and put things right

‘Cause the man is at the door
Ready to make his play
Who’s gonna be his whore
As he talks the truth away
Can’t even face the past
Or reckon with it honestly
The things that they put last
Are the things that they can’t see

We’re all refugees walking in a heavy rain
Struggling to find what’s left in the heart
But we’re ready, ready for a steady wheel
Gonna finally heal what drove us apart

‘Cause the man is at the door
Ready to make his play
Who’s gonna be his whore
As he talks the truth away
Can’t even face the past
Or reckon with it honestly
The things that they put last
Are the things that they can’t see

We’re at the edge, standing in the glitter glow 
The ripples of the river light slide on by
But we’re ready, a revolutionary sky of blue
Overthrowing what we knew, for what we’ll be

At the Edge

"At the Edge" Kristina Stykos

Credits:

Kristina Stykos: vocal, mandola
Steve Mayone: electric guitar

Produced, recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea VT

I Like a Hard Hearted Man
(c) 2018 Kristina Stykos

I like a hard-hearted man
One with a smooth undertow
He’s got his finger on your redemption
Looks like he knows what he don’t know
He’ll crash your little party
He’ll sink you like a stone
He’s a man hell bent on destruction
But knows he can’t do it alone
He leans on lady luck 
Like he don’t got no legs 
Of his own

I like a dastardly man
One who is good at keeping score
Good at keeping secrets
Who comes shameless to your door
Who needs someone to confess to
To keep his conscience clean
Gonna turn the tables on you
Just cuz he’s feeling mean
Got no mercy
Lord it hurts me
What I seen

I like an ambitious man
One with a fast track in his soul
Got a method and a madness
As he rakes you over the coals
Who tells you that he’s harmless
Way down deep inside
A mystery like the ocean 
Just thumbing for a ride
As for lady luck 
She’ll pick him up 
Every time

I Like a Hard Hearted Man

"I Like a Hard Hearted Man" Kristina Stykos

WATERSHED

I was coming around the corner when
I saw you and I froze
Such a confused mix of emotions, from
My head down to my toes
Should I laugh, should I cry
Should I try to make it to the border by sunrise
Should I run to your side,
Violate the order of a lifetime

We were young and you were certainly 
More foolish than I was
But we would both go down together in the
Tempest of our love
Stolen nights, like a trance
Filling us with warm anticipation
Tender words, like a drug
Spoken ‘til our hearts were overtaken

Muddy Gap to Rawlins
You were in trouble again
I held you and I begged you
and you fooled me again
I hid you and I fed you
and covered your tracks
I let go of almost everything 
that might last


You were saddling the horses 
On that brisk November day
I can still remember how you saw me, 
And turned away 
Oh my love, is it so
Could it be you’d leave me in this prison
Can’t you see, my youth is gone
Please darling change your cruel decision

I have taken all my sorrows and 
The loss of you in stride
I’ve held my head up 
While silently I cried 
Where the watersheds divide
I’ve worked this land without complaining
Raising up your only child
Sheltering his heart and never blaming

Muddy Gap to Rawlins
I rode on back that way
Surely there is something more
I could say
made it to the river
but the rain came harder still
I couldn’t make the ford there
but I will

----


Kristina Stykos: lead and harmony vocal, electric guitars
Jeff Berlin: drums and percussion
Bow Thayer: bass
Patrick Ross: fiddle


All songs written, arranged and performed by Kristina Stykos ©2013 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea  VT and in a composer’s studio at the Ucross Foundation,  Ucross, WY 
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, New York NY zampoloproductions.com, 
Inside artwork and CD package design by Rachel Mello, Somerville MA; rachelmello.com
Cover artwork “Waterways” by Diane Debevec; dianedebevec.com
Photography by Rachel Mello and Kristina Stykos
kristinastykos.com
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records,
Kristina plays Froggy Bottom guitars: froggybottomguitars.com and a few others



"Watershed" Kristina Stykos

JEFFREY LEE
          
I’m tired of waiting
For you to come around
I’m tired of secrets
They just bring me down
I’m tired of loving
Because I can’t be free
I’m tired of wondering   
Do you think of me

Everybody gives you a fair shake  
You’re the celebrated boy in town  
Maybe this is just a big mistake
Got my life turned upside down
How do you do like you do when you snub me
Going out of your way not to love me
But I think I’m gonna stick around
(for crying out loud)
  
Jeffrey Lee 
What is your problem with it 
Can’t you see 
I don’t have another minute
Shame on me
To keep my money in it
Jeffrey Lee
Think I’m gonna stick around  

I’m tired of drinking    
Hot wired to my automobile   
I’m tired of driving
So I don’t have to feel 
I’m tied of hurting
And working like a tool
Hungry to touch anything
Anything that might touch you   
 
Everybody got a little too much  
Everybody got a jaundiced eye
But there is nothing in this world like love
Baby don’t let it pass you by

Jeffrey Lee 
What is your problem with it 
Can’t you see 
I don’t have another minute
Shame on me
To keep my money in it
Jeffrey Lee
Think I’m gonna stick around  


----

Kristina Stykos: lead and harmony vocals, mandola, drum programming
Jeff Berlin: drums and percussion
Mark Spencer: electric guitars
Bow Thayer: bass
Chas Eller: Hammond organ


All songs written, arranged and performed by Kristina Stykos ©2013 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea  VT and in a composer’s studio at the Ucross Foundation,  Ucross, WY 
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, New York NY zampoloproductions.com, 
Inside artwork and CD package design by Rachel Mello, Somerville MA; rachelmello.com
Cover artwork “Waterways” by Diane Debevec; dianedebevec.com
Photography by Rachel Mello and Kristina Stykos
kristinastykos.com
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records,
Kristina plays Froggy Bottom guitars: froggybottomguitars.com and a few others


"Jeffrey Lee" Kristina Stykos

JACKSON

I left my home backcountry
Been drinking water straight from holes
Tonight I just been thinking some
Staring in the coals

Summer heat it’s lost its hold
I’m rolling off the mountain like a boulder
My heart is aching and I think you know
I’m heading back to Jackson

What you said is what you’ve done
If I drew the wrong conclusion
May god bring me gently down
And humor my confusion
But he has never felt the peace,
The presence of the light
Or seen the color of your skin
Or reached for you at night

Big Horn valley steal my life
Too many shots and one long night
Got to see if my hunch is right
Push further west to Jackson

Wouldn’t mind to laugh again   
See who’s left and even cry 
Watch the medicine wheel spin
You know I said I’d try

What you said is what you’ve done
If I drew the wrong conclusion
May god bring me gently down
And humor my confusion
May he make my horse to fly
and swiftly cross the prairie
But never say she was a fool
To think that she could marry

Any other pathway
Through tarnished hills and canyon
Couldn’t have made me to find
A handsomer companion

Now the rain and leaves come down
My face is furrowed ground
My heart’s a mansion all for me
Until we meet in Jackson

What you said is what you’ve done
If I drew the wrong conclusion
May god bring me gently down
And humor my confusion
But he has never felt the peace,
The presence of the light
Or seen the color of your skin
Or reached for you at night


---

Kristina Stykos: lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitars
Jeff Berlin: drums and percussion
Mark Spencer: electric guitar, bass
Chas Eller: piano
Patrick Ross: fiddle


All songs written, arranged and performed by Kristina Stykos ©2013 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea  VT and in a composer’s studio at the Ucross Foundation,  Ucross, WY 
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, New York NY zampoloproductions.com, 
Inside artwork and CD package design by Rachel Mello, Somerville MA; rachelmello.com
Cover artwork “Waterways” by Diane Debevec; dianedebevec.com
Photography by Rachel Mello and Kristina Stykos
kristinastykos.com
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records,
Kristina plays Froggy Bottom guitars: froggybottomguitars.com and a few others



"Jackson" Kristina Stykos

WITHOUT EYES

Pardon me, have you seen my dream
There it flies, laughing as it cries
Precious one, steady and naïve
Dancing on, making me believe

I find myself alone
But I cannot stand apart
So I’ll get down on my knees
And lay down on my heart
I’m the moon reflecting light
For I have none of my own
I can’t rage enough or fight
While this faith in me goes on
It goes on and on

Pardon me, but have you seen my holy flame
In the garden, in the night, where I lost my name
How the air makes me feel my skin
How the hour shines now from within

There‘s nothing to be done
To repair or set things right
There‘s just this road ahead
Without benefit of sight 
If I just can find some peace
From the smallest glint of love
Not blinded by despair
I will search the stars above

I will search the skies 
Without eyes


---

Kristina Stykos: lead vocal, acoustic guitars


All songs written, arranged and performed by Kristina Stykos ©2013 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea  VT and in a composer’s studio at the Ucross Foundation,  Ucross, WY 
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, New York NY zampoloproductions.com, 
Inside artwork and CD package design by Rachel Mello, Somerville MA; rachelmello.com
Cover artwork “Waterways” by Diane Debevec; dianedebevec.com
Photography by Rachel Mello and Kristina Stykos
kristinastykos.com
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records,
Kristina plays Froggy Bottom guitars: froggybottomguitars.com and a few others


"Without Eyes" Kristina Stykos

I'M HERE FOR YOU

You stayed where you were
You didn’t back down
You tended your garden
Went out on the town
You worked hard for others
And gave them your best
You put up new curtains
And bought a new dress

You looked in the mirror
Examined your face 
Made sure not to drive
Too close to his place
Threw open your windows
And ran like the wind
So many futures
You’d hoped to let in

But when it all came down
On that beautiful day    
Though he’d meant to be true
He just couldn’t say
“I’m here for you”
    
It wasn’t the first time
He was back more than twice
So you filled up your kitchen
With apples and spice
With children and music
And bright cups of tea
And always a welcome
For someone like me

And just when your memories
Came on you too strong
You’d pack up your troubles 
Fly into the dawn
With only a toothbrush
And tears in your eyes  
Be in Rio by nightfall
Dance until the sunrise

But when it all came down
On that beautiful day    
Though he’d meant to be true
He just couldn’t say
“I’m here for you”


---

Kristina Stykos: lead and harmony vocal, acoustic guitars, bass, piano
Jeff Berlin: drums and percussion


All songs written, arranged and performed by Kristina Stykos ©2013 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea  VT and in a composer’s studio at the Ucross Foundation,  Ucross, WY 
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, New York NY zampoloproductions.com, 
Inside artwork and CD package design by Rachel Mello, Somerville MA; rachelmello.com
Cover artwork “Waterways” by Diane Debevec; dianedebevec.com
Photography by Rachel Mello and Kristina Stykos
kristinastykos.com
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records,
Kristina plays Froggy Bottom guitars: froggybottomguitars.com and a few others


"Im Here For You" Kristina Stykos

FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness 
You’ve said that many times
What have you lost here
What do you hope to find
Where the hawk is lifted up
Where the moon she rise
Where the tears no longer hide
And they fill your eyes
Where a thousand tales and prayers
Like smoke have reached the sky
Will you still require

Forgiveness 
You’ve said that many ways
In the confusion of our nights
And the bright light of our days
When you feel your body fall
When there’s nothing left to fight
Where there’s no one to be spared
And no one to set things right
When the only one who’s true
Is the spirit of your life
Will you still require - forgiveness

Forgiveness 
I see where you have been
Where the golden sweetgrass grows
On the highways of the wind
Let me bring you to our life
You can lay your burden down
There’s no need to carry on
We can lie here on the ground
Only sky and clouds and sun
And the earth beneath our backs
And the love that we have shared
Isn’t that  - forgiveness

----

Kristina Stykos: lead vocal, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, piano fills
Jeff Berlin: drums and percussion
Chas Eller: piano


All songs written, arranged and performed by Kristina Stykos © Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Recorded and mixed by Kristina Stykos at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea  VT and in a composer’s studio at the Ucross Foundation,  Ucross, WY 
Mastered by Oscar Zambrano, New York NY zampoloproductions.com, 
Inside artwork and CD package design by Rachel Mello, Somerville MA; rachelmello.com
Cover artwork “Waterways” by Diane Debevec; dianedebevec.com
Photography by Rachel Mello and Kristina Stykos
kristinastykos.com
© 2013 Thunder Ridge Records,
Kristina plays Froggy Bottom guitars: froggybottomguitars.com and a few others


"Forgiveness" Kristina Stykos

"Rescue Me" The Cousins Project

"South Of The Chelsea Line" The Cousins Project

"Safe Passage" The Cousins Project

"Stealing Away" The Cousins Project

"Beautiful Blood" The Cousins Project

"Come Around" The Cousins Project

"Mess Of Love" The Cousins Project

ABENAKI HILLS

Someone had seen it move in the sky
Someone was watching every sunrise
Someone was walking where love was born
Someone was growing the bluest corn

They’d chase the clouds, they’d steal the rain
They’d hide the sun and put it back again
Offer tobacco where life was torn
Lay the fires that keep us warm

I’m looking even though I cannot see
I’m looking – will god help me 
I’m looking - the mirror of the lake is still
I’m looking – in these abenaki hills

Nothing here but standing stones
A field of memories, a crown of thorns
My heart’s broken; I cannot stand
I lay my face upon the land

The years of struggle were they in vain
How many footprints written on the wind
As days of plenty succumbed to fear
This place of reverence disappeared

I’m looking even though I cannot see
I’m looking – will god help me 
I’m looking - the mirror of the lake is still
I’m looking – in these abenaki hills

They come as ravens in breaking light 
They come as diamonds in the starry night
They come as silver on charcoal skies 
To meet my longing, open up my eyes

And in the shadows of every tree
On silent pathways I know they follow me
They sweep the valley and wash the rain
They only ask us to release their pain

I’m looking even though I cannot see
I’m looking – will god help me 
I’m looking - the mirror of the lake is still
I’m looking – in these abenaki hills


---

Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, mandolin
Philip Aaberg: keyboards


All songs by Kristina Stykos 
© 2011 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Arranged, engineered and co-produced by Kristina Stykos and Philip Aaberg, with production help from Ian Huhtala 
Recorded at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont and The Bin, Chester, Montana

Artwork by Brian Cohen: Red-Winged Blackbird from The Bird Book, © 2004 and Water from The Fool's Journey © 2007

Inside painting “Raven’s Journey” by Kristina Stykos
Package design by Darryl Garland, www.red-garland.com
Photos of Kristina by Herve Pelletier
Mastered by Tom Scheponik at Discmakers
Sweetgrass Music © 2011 SGM0007
For more information about this recording:
www.sweetgrassmusic.com  
www.kristinastykos.com

Special thanks to my brother Marek Stycos who supported the first phase of this album’s creation, to my friend Phil Aaberg for sharing his creative brilliance and to my husband Michael Millard for bringing me the joy of the world’s best guitars. Additional thanks to Yamaha for the S-6 piano; Muse Research for the Receptor; Hans Adamson for the Malmsjo piano.

"Abenaki Hills" Kristina Stykos

THING FOR YOU

I got a thing for you
I got a thing for you
I got a low down, motown, unified reaction
I got a thing for you

I got a solar gain attraction
I got a solar gain attraction
I got a light bending, rainbow, passionate diffraction
I got a solar gain attraction

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine 
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine

I got my yoga, I got my brain cells
I’m a little bit damaged but I’ll manage
‘Cause I’m the queen bee of my reality
I never work too hard, work too hard

Love my lifestyle, makes me feel rich
I got my vegan ham sandwich
I got my turbine, makes me feel fine
Now I just got to get to you, get to you

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine 
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine 
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine, let the sunshine


---

Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, mandolin
Philip Aaberg: keyboards

All songs by Kristina Stykos 
© 2011 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Arranged, engineered and co-produced by Kristina Stykos and Philip Aaberg, with production help from Ian Huhtala 
Recorded at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont and The Bin, Chester, Montana

Artwork by Brian Cohen: Red-Winged Blackbird from The Bird Book, © 2004 and Water from The Fool's Journey © 2007
Inside painting “Raven’s Journey” by Kristina Stykos
Package design by Darryl Garland, www.red-garland.com
Photos of Kristina by Herve Pelletier
Mastered by Tom Scheponik at Discmakers
Sweetgrass Music © 2011 SGM0007
For more information about this recording:
www.sweetgrassmusic.com  
www.kristinastykos.com

Special thanks to my brother Marek Stycos who supported the first phase of this album’s creation, to my friend Phil Aaberg for sharing his creative brilliance and to my husband Michael Millard for bringing me the joy of the world’s best guitars. Additional thanks to Yamaha for the S-6 piano; Muse Research for the Receptor; Hans Adamson for the Malmsjo piano.




"Thing for You" Kristina Stykos

FLOWING WEST

I got wings to fly	
Baby watch me go
I got nothing left to walk on
Nothing left to show

Can’t quite open up my eyes
I’m still lying in my clothes
An empty bottle on the floor
I’ll figure it out, and go

And the wind blows my dress
Like a sweet caress you’re on my mind
For my heart there is no rest
Moving down the Chateauguay flowing west        

River always there for me
Yeah, like a trusted friend
And you - the love I always thought
Was just around the bend
 
Crossed the ridge at first daylight
She’s shining through the trees 
Everything I’ve lost and then
Looked for in my dreams     

And the wind blows my dress
Like a sweet caress you’re on my mind
For my heart there is no rest
Moving down the Chateauguay flowing west        

Never made a clean escape
Or wiped you from my mind
Never made the border no
Or got north of the line

If I could just find that road
And finally reach the west 
Maybe I could wash it out of me
And get my soul some rest

And the wind blows my dress
Like a sweet caress you’re on my mind
For my heart there is no rest
Moving down the Chateauguay flowing west        


---

Kristina Stykos: vocals, guitars, mandolin
Philip Aaberg: keyboards

All songs by Kristina Stykos 
© 2011 Thunder Ridge Music, BMI
Arranged, engineered and co-produced by Kristina Stykos and Philip Aaberg, with production help from Ian Huhtala 
Recorded at Pepperbox Studio, Chelsea, Vermont and The Bin, Chester, Montana

Artwork by Brian Cohen: Red-Winged Blackbird from The Bird Book, © 2004 and Water from The Fool's Journey © 2007
Inside painting “Raven’s Journey” by Kristina Stykos
Package design by Darryl Garland, www.red-garland.com
Photos of Kristina by Herve Pelletier
Mastered by Tom Scheponik at Discmakers
Sweetgrass Music © 2011 SGM0007
For more information about this recording:
www.sweetgrassmusic.com  
www.kristinastykos.com

Special thanks to my brother Marek Stycos who supported the first phase of this album’s creation, to my friend Phil Aaberg for sharing his creative brilliance and to my husband Michael Millard for bringing me the joy of the world’s best guitars. Additional thanks to Yamaha for the S-6 piano; Muse Research for the Receptor; Hans Adamson for the Malmsjo piano.




"Flowing West" Kristina Stykos

Kristina Stykos is a musician, recording engineer, writer and performer based in Vermont. She produces recordings and videos for her label Thunder Ridge Records and for clients, at Pepperbox Studio in Lincoln, VT. She has produced over 30 albums and music videos. Her latest solo album "River of Light" (2019) featuring guitarist Val McCallum [Jackson Browne] took the #2 slot on County Tracks “Best Vermont Albums of 2019”. ​ ​Writing under the pseudonym Vermont Ridgerunner, she shares her images and essays several times a week, based on current ramblings around the Vermont woods and in the gardens where she works as Gardenessa. Her latest book of poetry "Ridgerunner" (2019) is available on Shires Press, including a deluxe edition featuring her dynamic nature photography. As a musician, composer and poet, she has been supported by the Ucross Foundation & Brush Creek artist residencies of Wyoming, and by the Vermont Community Foundation.

Kristina Stykos

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