SIRSY Biography

“Rock-Pop Artist of the Year” & “Record of the Year” 2024  (-Thomas Edison Music Awards)

Hailing from Upstate NY, SIRSY plays compelling singer-songwriter rock and pop with a charming intensity, a bit of sass, lots of soul, and loads of heart. They write honest, engaging songs that are instantly relatable and catchy. The Times Union says “Sirsy’s clever, smart songs have more hooks than a tackle box”. Sirsy’s passionate and down to earth live shows also include storytelling and even some nerdy jokes. They can somehow make an audience sing along, dance, laugh, and cry – all at the same show.

Melanie Krahmer’s passionate and immediately arresting vocals are sultry and seductive. They can be a floaty whisper or at times raspy and rocking – with a little bit of a tongue-in-cheek tone, as if she’s singing with a wink. She has “one of the most powerful and flexible voices you’ll ever hear” (-Times Union).  Mel is also the band’s drummer. She simultaneously plays bass on a keyboard with her drum stick. Live, she also plays piano, melodica, and the occasional badass flute solo too. Mel’s bandmate, co-writer, & husband/bestie is Rich Libutti. Rich masterfully plays a well-loved and road worn Rickenbacker through a pedal board full of vintage effects. He sounds like 3 guitarists all on his own. The SXSW music blog says “The guitar player is flawless and raw. Clean enough to be enjoyed, and just edgy enough to make you grin.” Rich also plays bass (and at live shows often does it on a pedal board with his feet).

These 2 multi-instrumentalists manage to sound like a full band and somehow do it all with big smiles on their faces. It’s clear they love what they do. And that love is contagious when you see them live. You can’t help smiling along with them. With song lyrics that center around empowerment and resilience, it’s no surprise that Sirsy’s fans have supported the duo through the pandemic, over a dozen records, 20+ years of touring, and Mel’s 2 bouts with cancer.  Every show is like a celebration for this couple and their fans. Come celebrate life with them!

“Krahmer has one of most powerful and flexible voices you’ll ever hear… Songs that have more hooks than a tackle box.”  (-Times Union, Albany NY)

Sirsy’s had songs on the hit tv show “Shameless”, the NFL, HBO, MTV, and PBS. Their latest single, “Stupid Little Heart” (Jan 7, 2025) debuted at #10 on the folk chart. They are regulars on NPR. They’ve warmed stages for Brandi Carlile, Maroon 5, Train, Grace Potter, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick, Collective Soul, Blues Traveler, Spindoctors, Adam Ezra Group, Lifehouse & many more.  In 2024, Sirsy was given the lauded ‘Thomas Edison Music Award’ for “rock/pop artist of the year” and “Record of the year” and in 2023 “solo/duo artist of the year”.  Their last several records were produced by Grammy-Winner Paul Q Kolderie. The SXSW Music Blog says “Sirsy’s not just a 2 piece but a head scratching WOW!” And the Houston Music Blog says “Sirsy makes edgy feel-good music that’s fun to watch. You must see them live!”

“SIRSY is your favorite band, you just don’t know it yet.” – Rochester City Newspaper.

“Edgy-feel-good” and fun to watch…”  (-Houston Music Blog, TX)

Sirsy has toured for a living for 25 years, playing 200+ shows per year all over the US and Canda. (They’ve played in every state, except Alaska!) They average about 60,000 miles per year on the road in their little white van “Obi”. Mel’s is endorsed by Paiste Cymbals and Vater Percussion and has been featured in Modern Drummer.

“SIRSY is your favorite band, you just don’t know it yet.”  (-Rochester City Newspaper)

“Both my ears and spirit were healed… one of the few times I’ve gotten chills at a show… This pair really knows how to make a connection with their audience.”
— Shutter 16 Magazine (Charlotte, NC) / Show Review at Evening Muse

“This is EXACTLY what the heart and spirit of SXSW has always been about… Pouring their souls out and rocking the shit outta the crowd, was SIRSY…phenomenal! SIRSY is NOT simply a two piece, they are a head scratching, WOW! The guitar player is flawless and raw. Clean enough to be enjoyed, and just edgy enough to make you grin. The lead singer/drummer/bass player was stunning. With a great voice and an even better smile, the drummer is the center of attention, as she should be. Singing and playing drums has always been an impressive task. Now throw in the bass tracks and work that AT THE SAME TIME…DAMN! This is the complete package in a fun sized, rock and roll, smiling laughing, have a good goddamn time with your friends, band!”
— William Tompkins, SXSW Music Blog (Austin TX)

“Clever, smart songs that have more hooks than a tackle box. Krahmer has one of the most powerful and flexible voices you’ll ever hear.”
— Times Union (Albany, NY)

“SIRSY is Melanie Krahmer on drums, bass pads, flute, and vocals – and Rich Libutti on guitar and pedal bass. Melanie hit every note perfectly as she sang. Rich’s skillful guitar playing created the full musical sound and didn’t leave any empty spots in the tunes from only having two players, like Jack White of the White Stripes sometimes did. All of that created the perfect frame for us to be amazed by what Melanie was doing. You kind of have to see it to understand it. It’s not a gimmick band. They’re seriously good, balanced and practiced. Highly talented, “edgy-feel-good” and fun to watch, you gotta go see them.”
— Wayne Brodd, Houston Music Blog (Houston, TX)