Oshawa Blues Rocker Stefan Palicki Delivers Gritty Power in New Single “Blue-Eyed Devil”
Sometimes, what people say to your face and what they say behind your back are more often than not two totally different things. Only true friends or loved ones will be direct. It’s the sentiment that Oshawa, Ontario blues rock guitarist Stefan Palicki used as inspiration for the meaty blues rock diamond and his latest single “Blue Eyed Devil.” Palicki says the song’s title originated from a phrase his late grandfather used to say regarding people being somewhat two-faced.
“The lyrics were written drawing upon an expression Stefan’s grandfather had about this common thing that people do and the kind of personal experiences we all have had,” the artist says. “He would say, ‘If they’re talking badly about me, they’re leaving some other poor soul alone.’ “This is paraphrasing as grandpa would use much more colorful language.”
Although Palicki’s grandfather passed in 2021 before “Blue Eyed Devil” was written, the musician says the “song isn’t just a response to negative experiences but it’s also kind of a tribute to him as well.” Palicki, who wrote the song, was given a week by producer Rob Laidlaw to create a riff that would work with the lyrics. Although initially frustrated with not finding that perfect riff, Laidlaw and Palicki worked on tweaking the track resulting in a gem that oozes “very southern rock” while being “bluesy and a bit gritty.”
“Blue Eyed Devil,” written by Stefan Palicki, Kelly Palicki, and Laidlaw, wastes little time delivering a big, robust sound and atmosphere. From the opening 15 seconds, you know this single is going to deliver and deliver in spades thanks to Palicki’s confident but beefy approach on guitar, while the drum steadies the course for a musical path groups like Big Sugar and Big Wreck have made careers from. Palicki hits the chorus perfectly as he describes the “Blue Eyed Devil” which is surrounded by saints. If you’re not moving some limb, nodding your head, or doing your best air guitar listening to this, check your pulse.
Palicki worked with Adam Newcomb at The Chalet, who mixed “Blue Eyed Devil.” But recording was a bit of a challenge during the pandemic as often one of Palicki, Laidlaw, or Newcomb was under the weather, preventing any progress on the song. Fortunately, the song was released, and audiences and fans of beefy, blues-tinged rock are better off for it.
Palicki first became interested in music not from picking up an instrument but from the BBC television series Top Gear and seeing host James May drive a Bugatti Veyron at maximum speed. Although not quite music-related, Palicki discovered May had a degree in piano, which sent Palicki off on his musical odyssey. After six years of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s piano instruction, Palicki earned his seventh level with first class honors. Around the same time, Palicki began guitar lessons, leaving the piano for the love of another instrument. His influences range from the late greats like B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and Gary Moore to Jimmy Page and more modern blues guitarists including John Mayer.
After playing in school bands and playing a variety of horns in high school (saxophone, trumpet, trombone) as well as bass and percussion, Palicki graduated high school with honors and received a music award. Performing around the Durham Region of Ontario including spots in Ajax and Oshawa and developing his name as a quality guitarist, Palicki released his debut EP of original material produced by Rob Laidlaw.
Now with the “Blue Eyed Devil” musically resembling a bull in a China shop, Stefan Palicki is intent on taking the bull by the horns with this fantastic, finely tuned track. Saying it straight, “Blue Eyed Devil” is a song that will put Stefan Palicki on the Canadian and international blues-rock map.
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Hi Stefan! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers?
Hey, I’m Stefan Palicki. I’m a musician from Oshawa. I’ve been learning instruments and playing music since I was 6 years old. I started out on piano, did that for 6 years then moved to guitar when I was 12. I pretty much enjoy all genres of music but my favourite is the blues. When I started playing guitar I was learning Johnny Cash, that kind of stuff, but gradually, as my playing improved I was playing along to Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd, then I branched out into Jimi, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Philip Sayce and John Mayer. I love the Allman Brothers and all of the kings.
Can you share the story behind “Blue Eyed Devil” and how your grandfather’s saying inspired the song’s concept?
So, the song sort of morphed from “Blue Eyed Devil and The Saints” as a possible band name that my mom came up with into a bit of an anthem about learning how to let it roll off you when people are gossiping, “talking trash”, be it true or not, about you. It’s a bit of a play on an expression Grandpa had about people talking trash about him, or me, or you, or anyone, and that maybe we can take some comfort in knowing that if they’re talking about you, they’re leaving someone else alone for a while. It was a tongue-in-cheek expression of his. After Grandpa died my mom started writing down thoughts and ideas and she would ask me to put my own spin on what she had written. Then Rob would tweak and fine-tune what we had, adding his own input. He really liked Blue Eyed as soon as he saw the lyrics and then challenged me to put music to it.
You worked closely with producer Rob Laidlaw on this track. How did his input shape the final version of “Blue Eyed Devil”?
Working with Rob was a lot of fun. He’s made entirely of music – there’s no bones or skin I don’t think, just a bunch of musical notes and ideas wearing jeans and a plaid shirt. We would sit together, either at home or in the studio and I’d play a riff or two and he’d grab onto what he thought sounded the best and we’d work it until we had something that we both really liked. Same with solos, lyrics, everything. Rob wrote the bass lines and poked in fluent drummer to Enio DeReto. It was so much fun and exciting to see and hear everything coming together for the single and the EP. I would happily work with Rob again.
With influences like B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, how do you blend traditional blues with your own modern rock twist in your music?
To be honest, I just play. The only time I really think about what I’m playing is if it’s really hard. I don’t know, I’m not sure any artist really thinks about what they’re doing, they just do it and hope it works.
What’s next for you? Do you have plans for more singles, an album, or touring to promote “Blue Eyed Devil”?
Right now, I’m just trying to get my music out there. I have a bunch of small gigs over the next few months so I’m gearing up for those. I started jamming with a new drummer, we’ll see where that goes. Hopefully, there will be more shows in the new year and if my music gets airtime and I build more of a following then I can get bigger shows and of course, work on more new music.