Estyr is a singer-songwriter whose music combines imaginative and playful lyrics with ethereal vocals. With 5 years of experience in performance and music-making, she is currently collaborating with the renowned producer and turntablist, Terence "TLO" Lo. TLO's remarkable work earned him the 2011 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year with the album "TSOL" by Shad. Together, they are working on a 10-track neo-soul album titled "Lucky Variety" scheduled for release later this year (www.luckyvarietymusic.com).
In November 2022, Estyr's band Tiger Balme (www.tigerbalme.com) released their self-titled debut album. Estyr co-founded this chamber pop group in 2017 as a platform for Chinese femme and non-binary individuals to share their stories through music. Performance credits include Venus Fest 2022 in support of Hannah Georgas, Debaser 2022, and Pique Festival 2022.
Estyr's EP titled "All Tied Up," released in 2021 and produced by Rob McLay (Squigglio, Westelaken), offers a nostalgic reflection on her coming-of-age as a second-generation immigrant. The EP features modulated vocal harmonies and electric drums. It garnered attention by being featured in Exclaim's '8 Emerging Artists You Need to Hear' and CBC's '7 Songs You Need to Hear This Week' segments.
Estyr has performed at music festivals and intimate venues across Southern Ontario and the Baltics, including: Wavelength Big Summer Thing (August 2023), Tallinn Music Week (May 2022), Estonian Music Week (October 2021), What’s in the Box Festival X UNMASKED (December 2020), The Drake Underground (January 2020), and Holy Smokes Music Festival (Guelph, 2019).
Press Quotes
"Estyr buries pop melodies beneath layers of electronic and folk textures as if they were a treasure hidden within vast, lush landscapes, and the journey's totally worth it. Her All Tied Up EP is rich with compelling details, like relatable musings on suburban alienation in "Suck It Up," the title track's acoustic guitar accents or the captivating vocals of "High on a Feeling.""
- Matt Bobkin, Exclaim!
(Canada), November 2021
"Toronto-based artist Estyr makes slow-burning songs about heartbreak. Her latest single “High on a Feeling” floats with a sustained euphoria of iridescent synths and an affecting vocal performance. The song is off an upcoming EP that promises to be one of the year’s best."
- Nuvo Magazine
(Vancouver, Canada), July 2021
“Carried by a shuffling beat and shimmering guitar, “Slow Drip” is upbeat yet relaxed, riding its airy groove with seeming effortlessness. As the song moves from sections of sparkling anticipation to quiet contemplation, Estyr’s sweet voice glides over the instruments with impressive versatility…”
- LeAnn Nguyen, From the Intercom
(Los Angeles, USA), January 2021
“‘Slow Drip’ is a fun lo-fi bop that fits perfectly on your rise-and-shine weekend morning playlist. The song is fundamentally casual with a funky pop-induced bass line that will leave you swaying on your feet. Be sure to pair this song with your favourite warm morning beverage."
- Sami Huda, Serious Betty
(Toronto, Canada), January 2021
“Thanks to its honey-like pacing, echoing instrumentation, and Estyr’s beautifully crystalline vocals, “Human Alchemy” is the type of song that turns the messiest of breakups into an exercise in artful contemplation.”
- Li-Wei Chu, From The Intercom
(Los Angeles, USA), January 2019
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