Chicklet

Chicklet are Julie Park (vocals, guitar) and Daniel Barida (guitar, vocals, synth). Sean Bettam (bass) was part of the group from 1997 to 1999 and toured the US to support their first album Wanderlust. Chris Sytnyk (bass) recorded on several Chicklet releases including Lemon Chandeliers, Wanderlust and Indian Summer.

History

Chicklet originally started as a side project from the other musical projects Park and Barida were involved with prior to 1995. They recorded, produced and independently released Daisy Smile and Kitty' 'in 1995 and played live shows throughout Toronto.^[1] In 1996, Chicklet were invited to Livonia, Michigan to record the song Shellac, which was recorded and produced by legendary 4AD musician/producer Warren Defever of His Name is Alive. The song attracted the attention of California’s Dewdrop records and were included on the compilation Splashed with many a Speck.

Later that year, Chicklet signed with California's Satellite Records which marked the release of their first Satellite recording, Premiere. It was released on semi-transparent purple 7" vinyl, and introduced the band to a larger audience while attracting positive reviews from press in both the USA and Europe.

In 1997, Chicklet recorded an EP titled Lemon Chandeliers at Toronto’s Audiolab Studio with Chris Hegge. Chris Sytnyk recorded bass while Barida played drums and percussion on all the tracks. Park and Barida followed up with a full-length album titled Wanderlust in 1998, which was also recorded in Toronto at Audiolab studio.

Chicklet continued touring across the US to support Wanderlust. Sean Bettam played bass while the band performed with pre-recorded drums on stage. While on tour, Chicklet was interviewed on KROQ-FM in Los Angeles where Rodney Bingenheimer invited the band on his live radio show 'Rodney on the Roq'. Later, Johnny Marr (ex-The Smiths) and Rodney introduced the band while performed at Cafe Bleu in Hollywood California. Chicklet charted on the Billboard (magazine) college radio charts with the album Wanderlust.

Their second full length album Indian Summer was released in 2003 which was recorded and self produced in their home studio and mastered by Chris Perry. Sytnyk once again recorded the bass lines as Bettam left Chicklet to start the band Talledega.

Chicklet once again supported with album by touring the eastern US States. Since then, Chicklet have focused their efforts in other areas while promising a new release in 2009, but nothing has been forthcoming, as they are primarily dedicated to their teaching careers and raising their two young sons and one daughter.

Now voted Chicklet as the "hottest obscure indie band in Toronto". The obscurity in their hometown is due to Chicklet's conscious effort to focus on a broader audience. The fan base tends to be out of Canada.

The songs, "Kyopo" and "Sleep Talking” was used in the Canadian television show Fashion Television while "Frown" was included in the MTV's Daria.

Discography

Albums

• Wanderlust (1998)
• Indian Summer (2001)

EPs and singles

• Daisy Smile & Kitty (cassette) (1995)
• Premiere (7" purple vinyl) (1996)
• Lemon Chandeliers (5 song ep) (1997)

He currently teaches at Sloane Public School in Toronto.

Videography

• "Sugar Rush" (1996)
• "Sleep Talking" (1998)
• "Frown" (1999)

Television

• Fashion Television
• Daria, MTV
• Music Now
• Mitch (film)
• The Recycler (film)

See also

• Canadian rock
• List of bands from Canada
• List of Canadian musicians
• Category:Canadian musical groups

References