Stephanie Prausnitz - fiddle.....
Evie Ladin - banjo, clogging.....
Lisa Berman - dobro, banjo, guitar.....
Sue Sandlin - guitar, tiple.....
Martha Hawthorne - bass.....All of the Sisters sing.....
Juicy details @
http://www.stairwellsisters.com
Influences
Hazel and Alice, Tommy Jarrell, Ginny Hawker, Suzy Thompson, Arthur Smith, Laurie Lewis, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Grateful Dead, Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Rick Good, Highwoods Stringband, INXS, John Hartford, John Ashby, Public Enemy, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, the Flatlanders, Bruce Robison, Delmore Brothers, Stanley Brothers, Coon Creek Girls, Hot Tuna, Elton John, John Denver, Flatt & Scruggs, Rhys Jones, Red Mules, Stuart Brothers, Carter Family....
DALLAS OBSERVER
Five women who attack string instruments with a veracity that rivals some of rock's most venerated fret-burners...played with a gospel spirit and an expressive playfulness...rarely have songs taken from the public domain sounded so modern and vital.
BILLY ALTMAN, THEBLUEGRASSSPECIAL.COM
It's hard to say what is more striking: the Sisters' clear passion for old-time string band music, or the thoroughly modern exuberance of their performing style. It is, however, the originals that really underscore the band's distinctiveness. The Stairwell Sisters organically and emphatically connect their democratic music with their democratic values. Together with the implicit empowerment aspect of their being an all-female band, Get Off Your Money adds up to quite a statement.
GET OFF YOUR MONEY
Produced By Lloyd Maines
Release Date - 5/12/08
Producer Lloyd Maines recalls hearing The Stairwell Sisters for the first time: “I happened upon this tribe of women musicians, playing old-time string music, with the power and excitement of a great rock band.”
Tribe of women indeed. Evie Ladin explains what holds sway with the sisters, themes similarly found in one of their early influences, Hazel Dickens & Alice Gerrard: “not exactly the sweet and tender ladies, but the stand up for yourself and face the world kind of women.”
Which is exactly the women that make up The Stairwell Sisters. Evie, Stephanie Prausnitz. Lisa Berman, Martha Hawthorne, and Sue Sandlin are career women, organizers, activists and mamas; making ends meet working and living in San Francisco. They also happen to crank out acoustic, old-time music with a punk-rock intensity. Somehow, between raising children, working and releasing records, they've taken their band to some rather well-regarded places - appearing on A Prairie Home Companion, festival stages from Lincoln Center (NYC) and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (SF) to Celtic Connections (UK), and many points in between.
Their third release Get Off Your Money, produced by Maines and out May 12, 2008, covers substantial ground as well. There are fiddle tunes crafted decades ago from Alabama to Scotland and points unknown. There are old songs of trains, boats and possums. One song is translated from Swahili, an all-too familiar story learned from a street musician in Tanzania. There are new songs too - original songs of trial and work, loss and love, and all-night parties. The women run all of it through the “Sister Mill.” Regardless from which era or continent the songs have traveled, The Stairwell Sisters make such heartfelt and skillfully played music that boundaries dissolve beneath the chugging force of old-time fiddle and banjo, the whomp of bass and guitar, the grit of the slide guitar, and the tight, closely interwoven harmonies.
Lloyd Maines has it right. The Stairwell Sisters are tribal; laying down their all-gal teardown wherever they go. Get Off Your Money reflects the spirit to keep the message alive in the urban evolution of country string band music.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
The new True Margrit CD - The Juggler's Progress - is now available for pre-order, along with t-shirts and artwork, photo and drumheads, as we get ready for our monthlong tour of the Great Northwest! Check it out here: http://bit.ly/7Cu8J
Look for us in Washington, Oregon and California between October 15 and November 15, when our tour wraps up with the big show at San Francisco's best rock club, Bottom of the Hill! For the complete show schedule, check here: http://bit.ly/1UgGqQ
The Stairwell Sisters JOIN US FOR THE MEXXIBILLI TOUR KICKOFF FEATURING KURT CRASPER & THE WOLFTICKETS FROM 9:00 to 10:30 THEN PURO BANDIDO FROM 11:00 TO 1:30 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 AT THE WILD IDOL SALOON, 3918 MAIN STREET BYRON, CA 94514.
Peculiar Pretzel Madness descends upon San Francisco Tuesday night! Hemlock Tavern! With old and true comrades in arms Deathat and Corpus Collasum! $7!
Long time no see! I'm really excited to come out to SF for the Hardly Strictly Festival. I'll keep an eye on your schedule, because I'd love to see y'all again. :)
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
Hope you will participate in our celebration of learning and leave a comment/advice for students.
Peace, John
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. ... I get most joy in life out of music.” ~ Albert Einstein
"Ticklin' The Strings" by Sweet Hollywaiians
Amazing Japanese hot string band playing 1920's, 30's, 40's style hawaiian, swing, calypso, blues, italian music and originals,featuring vintage instruments.3 songs with Robert Armstrong and Tony Marcus(from Robert Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders)
"The Sweet Hollywaiians have probably the best feel for this 20's music of any string band working today. They manage the rare feat of sounding relaxed even when their playing is hot, are top notch musicians with tasteful arrangements and a full, rich, warm sound.Plus, they have a nice gamut of tunes, from King Nawahi to Giovanni Vicari to Bobby Leecan. See them live, if you can, for an unforgettable experience. If you can't, buy their Cds!" ~ Terry Zwigoff
Will Scott's new album, GNAWBONE is here!!! The CD is available at CDBaby and other online retailers.
Over three years in the making, GNAWBONE is Scott's fully-produced studio debut and features a crack team of hand-picked musicians as well as guest performances by Jan Bell, Jolie Holland, Samantha Parton, and Preacher Boy (the album's producer).
Online Now!
