Jayda Lynn Barclay Played By: Hayley Williams Voice: Emily Haines, The Veronicas Birthdate & Age: July 14th, 1987; 21 years old. Screen name: the jayda sound Biography: It might have been under her grandfathers influence that Jayda Barclay's parents had her take piano lessons at the very young age of three, but it was definitely his money that paid for the lessons. The family was a modest one, with five children living in a townhouse on Toronto's east side. Most of their money was not spent on musical instruments, or lessons, but on minor hockey leagues and college funds. When Jayda took that first piano lesson, it was clear that she was destined to become a musician. Even her simple banging on the keys seemed to have a melodic element to them, and she caught on as quickly as a three year old could. Her learning only sped up as she grew and by the time she was eight, Jayda was beginning to write her own songs. Some revolved around her brother's smelly feet, and others were more serious. Jayda was nine when she received a Christmas gift that would change the way she wrote songs completely; an acoustic guitar (which she promptly named Gus) from her grandfather. It was only a matter of time before she'd bite the performance bug. School talent shows came, and pretty soon Jayda was constantly tagging along with her older brother to places that maybe a 12 year old shouldn't have been. Still, managing to make friends with her sixteen year old brother (and his friends) had landed her in a good place. When the eighth grade rolled around, so did Joshua McGregor (and his bass guitar). Something about the two had them getting along better than Jayda had gotten along with anyone who wasn't a brother. Not knowing what else to do with their chemistry, the two made music. In 2002, after playing a local downtown gig in a bar where they weren't allowed to stay after their own set, the band (which by then, was comprised of Jayda, Josh, and two slightly older friends) was offered a recording contract with a small, local, independent label. Three months later, the Static Anonymity EP was released, creating an undeniable buzz for the little band. Signing to a major label, and hitting the road was inevitable. The band achieved worldwide success with two studio albums, and constant touring. It was after the band's second studio album that Jayda broke away on her own, returning to her piano roots to record 2007's Knives Don't Have Your Back with producer August Laine. While it was mostly a solo effort, with Jayda doing all of the writing, the album was still released as a Barclay record. Without the extensive tour support of the previous two albums, Knives didn't do as well in comparison. However, Jayda holds the album close to her heart and considers it one of her best efforts. It was at the beginning of 08, after a short break for the band, that things started falling apart. At the end of their sold out Canadian arena tour, Barclay lost two of it's members, leaving Jayda and Josh to fend for themselves. It wasn't much later that the band picked up Lucy Davis, a talented guitarist that both Jayda and Josh had known since their early days in the Toronto music scene. America, at this point, was the one place where Barclay couldn't seem to break. However, that changed when Jayda signed a deal with MTV to shoot a reality show with her (then) best friend Aubrey Laine. Of course, things never go the way they're meant to and when the pair were no longer speaking to each other, an agreement with MTV needed to be reached. The result, instead, was camera crews following the band around as they played the mainstage at the 2008 Vans Warped Tour. Combat Baby: Barclay In The Trenches began airing on September 30th, 2008, just in time for the band's fall headlining tour. With the publicity from the television show (where Jayda, trying desperately to get over a broken heart, basically spent her summer inebriated.) each date of the tour managed to sell out. Since then, the band has taken a break, determined to write a new record about life. However, break-up rumours are running rampant. Jayda herself is exploring a still-unnamed side project, working with a collection of songs that she's been building since Barclay's earlier success. Credits: HERE. Other stuff: I am very much a fan of writing actual scenes, and letting storylines develop solely out of interaction. I, however, am not opposed to simply having in-character AIM conversations, due to the nature of the community. Usually if I'm signed onto my characters screen name, then I'm ready to play. If I'm not, I will definitely let you know. Timezone wise I'm EST, and I'm usually online in the evenings, especially while I'm away at school. I'm a little AIM-shy but if I know you don't mind me IMing you, then I'm pretty much good to go.