Sydney Wayser has re-tooled her singer-songwriter sound, changed NY for LA, and released some new songs under a new name. We’re excited to share with you what she’s been up to since she played our showcase at SXSW earlier this year. Donning a new identity as Clara-Nova, she recently wrapped up a residency at The Bootleg. Her approach to jangly indie pop has matured; her voice more relaxed and open, her melodies more refined, and her presence as bewitching as ever. There’s a quality to the new tune, “One of These Days,” that brings back my memories of a free-spirited, sparkly shorts-wearing Lissie, whose delight in mere hand claps and tambourine slaps couldn’t be contained in the small room in which we were all crammed to watch her perform. That same feeling is encapsulated in Wayser’s new approach as Clara-Nova that oozes out of the speakers and lifts your soul right up. Give it a listen and try to fight its charm. – Jacqueline Caruso
