We recently had the opportunity to chat with Calgary based recording artist and songwriter Sykamore (aka Jordan Ostrom). Sykamore is poised to be one of Canada’s breakout country music stars of 2018 and was recently featured in our 2017 Country Music Year in Review as one to watch for 2018.
Sykamore performs at Boots and Hearts photo Rebel Shadow Photography
On January 5 SYKAMORE released her second collection, a six-song EP entitled Self + Medicine through Road Angel Entertainment/Warner Music Canada. The EP is preceded by two singles “Houseboat” and more recently “Better Half,” which has garnered strong radio support since its release earlier this year. The video for “Better Half” directed by Brock Mitchell was released on December 29, 2017 to end her fruitful year with a bang.
Described by longtime Calgary music journalist Mike Bell as having “a voice that can melt a heart at a hundred paces,” SYKAMORE has used that voice to rack up an impressive amount of industry accolades and awards to date, including the ATB All-Albertan Song Contest, Project Wild, and the Canadian Country Music Association’s annual Discovery Program. Self-taught with a keen focus and sharp wit, SYKAMORE also recently signed on with Nashville-based Home Team Publishing after being discovered by one of the company’s founders, Rhett Akins.
“SYKAMORE. That name grabbed my attention as I was scrolling through Twitter,” Akins says. “I had to check it out. I loved her music and style immediately. I’m excited we are able to bring her to Nashville to start the next chapter of her songwriting journey.” Home Team is co-owned by Akins, his son Thomas Rhett and Virginia Davis with partners Roc Nation and Warner Chappell Music Publishing.
The Interview
Born in Carseland, Alberta SYKAMORE has spent much of the past two years travelling across Canada appearing at prominent summer festivals including the ultra-cool Interstellar Rodeo and sharing bills with Canadian music heavyweights and JUNO winners such as Paul Brandt, Tebey, MacKenzie Porter, Lindi Ortega, and Adam Cohen. After attracting significant attention with the single “Heaven In the Pines,” SYKAMORE’s songs have been featured on the hit CBC TV show Heartland, and she was a nominee for the coveted CCMA Discovery Award in 2015.
“Better Half” – The Video
With the release of Self + Medicine, SYKAMORE proves she is more than ready to take on Canada and the world. To learn more about Sykamore visit www.sykamoreproject.com
