It’s been an extraordinary couple of weeks for Karina Rykman. From being embroiled in pop music’s greatest mystery to a whirlwind schedule around Jazz Fest, Rykman probably needs a minute to stop, catch her breath and reflect.
Things escalated internationally, when rumors started, Beyonce was going to make a surprise appearance at the Stagecoach music festival. Rykman was scheduled to perform a DJ set at the same festival. Everyone from Forbes to TMZ was reporting it was Beyonce performing in the “DJ Backwoods Barbie” slot. When the time came and thousands of eyes fixated on the stage, Beyonce’s Single Ladies started over the PA system. To the world’s chagrin, it was Rykman and her friend Katie Alexander performing the DJ set they were booked for. No Beyonce. But a legendary story in Rykman’s quiver for life.
A few days later, Rykman and crew (Guitarist – Adam November, Drums- Chris Corsico) headed to New Orleans for a slaying performance at the Daze Between NOLA Festival. Then it was off to Florida to open for Tedeschi Trucks Band at their Sun Sand and Soul Festival.
Racking up more frequent flyer miles, the band returned to New Orleans where Rykman and Corsico played a 2 a.m. gig with Marco Benevento on May 3rd. She wrapped up a crazy couple of weeks with her own 2 a.m. set at the Blue Nile the next “late” night. The same venue her bass melted from the Cajun heat last year.
Forget the stress, innuendo, and travel, Rykman, November, and Corsico were as hot as the Louisiana humidity. They delivered a blistering set, synching in as one multiple times, venturing off into some intense improvisation. The trio is rapidly rising on the indie/jam band scene and the late night NOLA crowd was treated to a showcase of why. It doesn’t matter if it’s pop, instrumental, or a cover, Rykman, backed by the furious pace of Corsico mixed with November’s mad scientist riffs and tones, can take her music in multiple directions with ease.
With the Blue Nile behind her and a brief gap from touring, you’d have to imagine Rykman was finally able to stop long enough to ask herself “What the hell was that?” If you’ve followed Rykman thus far, the answer is, just the beginning.
