weetback Sisters Emily Miller and Zara Bode may not be blood relations, but their precise, family-style harmonies recall the best of country music from the Everlys to The Judds, as well as the spirited rockabilly energy of Wanda Jackson, one of the band’s role models. Like the artists they admire, the Sweetbacks are concerned with the traditional subjects of heartbreak, revenge, remorse and staying strong in the face of relationships gone wrong, albeit with a contemporary sensibility. “We’re a renegade retro band that mixes up country, swing and honky tonk,” explains Bode. “Sometimes what we deliver is straight out of the 50s; other times it’s BR549 meets The B52s.”
Thurs, Feb 16.
Cafe du Nord
San Francisco Bluegrass and Old-time Festival: Honky-Tonk Showdown
San Francisco, CA
Fri, Feb 17. 9pm
The Caspar Inn
Caspar, CA
with Shee Shaw
Sat, Feb 18. 3pm matinee!
Lagunitas Brewing Company
Petaluma, CA
Sun, Feb 19. 1pm matinee!
Don Quixote's
Felton, CA
with Patti Maxine and her Saddle Pals
Mon, Feb 20. 9pm
Amnesia
With Windy Hill
Tues, Feb 21. 8pm
Arcata Playhouse
Arcata, CA
with Cahalen & Eli
Wed, Feb 22. 9:30pm
Sam Bond's Garage
Eugene, OR
Thurs, Feb 23. 9pm
Duff's Garage
Portland, OR
Fri-Sat, Feb 24-25
Wintergrass
Bellevue, WA
with tons of amazing acts-- check it out!
Thurs, Mar 8. 8:30pm
The Bell House
Brooklyn, NY
With Eilen Jewell
Fri, Mar 9. 8:30pm
Dreamaway Lodge
Becket, MA
Sat, Mar 10. 8pm
Peterborough Player Theatre
Peterborough, NH
Fri, Mar 16. 7:30pm
Vergennes Opera House
Vergennes, VT
Sat, Mar 17. 8pm
Homegrown Coffeehouse
Needham, MA
Thurs, Mar 22
World Cafe Live Upstairs
Philadelphia, PA
Fri, Mar 23. 7pm
Creative Alliance _ the Patterson
Baltimore, MD
With the Blue Moon Cowgirls
Sat, Mar 24. 8pm
Turtle Dove Folk Music Club
West Grove, PA
Fri, Mar 30. 8pm
Stone Moutain Arts Center
Brownfield, ME
Fri, April 6. 8pm
Unison Arts Center
New Paltz, NY
***Special Emily & Zara duo show***
Sat, April 7. 8pm
South Shore Folk Music Club
Kingston, MA
Fri, April 13. 7:30pm
Charlemont Academy Spring Benefit
_Memorial Hall
Shelburne Falls, MA
Thurs, April 26. 9:30pm
The Bishop Bar
Bloomington, IN
Fri, April 27. 7pm
LVD's Concert Hall
Goshen, IN
Everyday People open
Sat, April 28. 8pm
The Old Town School of Folk Music
Chicago, IL
Barb Silverman & Steve Rosen open
Sun, April 29. 8pm
Tip Top Deluxe Bar and Grill
Grand Rapids, MI
Looking for a Fight--cut by cut.doc
StagePlot2010.pdf
Sweetback Sisters bio 2011.doc
sweetback-11x17.pdf
Sweetback Sisters copy.pdf
"Absolutly fucking great"
- No Depression, Dec 2011
“If you think the concepts of hipster Brooklynites and classic country music are mutually exclusive, allow us to introduce you to this swinging sextet. Fronted by the closely harmonizing duo of Zara Bode and Emily Miller, the zingy group is simultaneously reverent of tradition and contemporaneously cheeky.”
- The Boston Globe, Feburary 4, 2010
"one of the best discs of this (or any other) year. "
- Fish Records, May 2011 (on "Looking for a Fight")
"With Looking For A Fight, the Sweetback Sisters could turn out to be the decade’s Bring It Girls. Showing true grit and wit, they are a genuine blast from the past — no matter how far back you want to go."
--Michael Bialas, The Huffington Post, June 2011
“[A] twisted blend of vintage twang.”
- Christopher Weingarten, The Village Voice, January 6, 2010
“Zara Bode and Emily Miller layer gorgeous girl-on-girl harmonies over swell honky-tonk melodies – the kind that make Loretta Lynn fans weep – and you just know you’re in for some hot and/or mournful fiddle. Trust us: These guys are brilliant.”
-NBC New York, October 9, 2009
"Like a pair of luxurious soft cashmere socks for your ears, the silky vocal harmonies of Emily Miller and Zara Bode are a decadent treat...Think "Indigo Girls Meet Sweethearts of the Rodeo and Get Possessed by the Ghost of Patsy Cline While Riding Shot Gun with Bob Wills in a 1939 Ford Pickup," or even "Dale Evans With Attitude and Swagger"'
-Blogcritics.com, May 2011
"The Sweetback Sisters achieve the difficult task of approaching their frankly old-fashioned music with an enthusiasm that is not devoid of humor, yet never descends into parody. "
-Allmusic.com, May 2011
"These 'sisters' create a synergy not duplicated since Owen Bradley convened the Patsy Cline sessions in the early 1950’s."
--Springfield Indie Music Examiner, May 2011
“The Sweetback Sisters are this year's breakout artist, and "My Uncle Used to Love Me but She Died" (off the wonderful Chicken Ain't Chicken recording on Signature Sounds) is the song of the year.”
-Vincent Bator, Hartford Indie Music Examiner, December 4, 2009
“The Sweetback Sisters - anchored by tight female harmonies and the occasional western swing melody - sound like the second coming of 1950s country groups like the Davis Sisters.”
-The Boston Globe, November 19, 2009
“Heavenly, honeysweet harmonies… basically retro-Western swing on amphetamines.”
-Roger Lilly, The Charleston Gazette, February 14, 2010
“There's nothing ordinary about [these] gals' corset-tight harmonies. Ross Bellenoit's sparks-a-flyin' Tele runs are the equal of anyone on Lower Broadway, and fiddler Jesse Milnes knows just when to slice his way into the mix.”
-Timothy Davis, The Nashville Scene, February 11, 2010
"...infectious tracks that feel instantly familiar...Those who enjoyed the vintage stylings of Gillian Welch, Eilen Jewell et al, will find the Sweetback Sisters a natural, if more upbeat and irreverent, match to these artists. An excellent album, and great fun!"
--Fish Records, June 2009
"...they all appear to be musical geniuses. Their brand new debut album, Chicken Ain't Chicken, is brilliantly fun and straddles eras as well as any piece of modern Americana can. The Sweetback Sisters mines songs from long ago eras of country music but escapes ending up as a dusty, nostalgic throwback by applying real energy and modern creativity to the vintage material. The perfect blend of temporal perspectives make the record a complete delight. Highly recommended. "
-Napster.com, July 2009
"'Chicken Aint Chicken', the debut from the Sweetback Sisters, could play back to back at the Grand Old Opry and your dingy, hometown DIY club without missing a beat...Its a countryfried helping of fun that screams for an old-time revival."
-- Brian Krasman, Daily News, Pittsburgh, June 30, 2009
"The hardest part of listening to The Sweetback Sisters album, Chicken Aint Chicken, was getting past the first track, I Want To Be A Real Cowboy Girl. The song immediately moved beyond a guilty pleasure and into a full fledged addiction in under the three minute post."
--Danny McClosky, The Alternate Root, July 09
"Without an appreciation for traditional country instrumentation and without a feel for humor's place in music, it would be hard to wrap your ears around The Sweetback Sisters and their new release, Chicken Ain't Chicken on Signature Sounds. Fortunately I have no trouble with either and I will offer that this is one of the best discs I've heard this year."
-- Rick Teverbaugh, Outskirts of Country, July 4, 2009
"I just love you guys"
--Emily's mom
"Stefan is my son."
- Peter Amidon
if you'd like to send a hello to the sweetback sisters directly, you can use the form to the right. the email goes straight to the gang at: TheSweetbackSisters_gmail.com and you'll also be added to our monthly mailing list!
Our Long Awaited full length album
LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
is out now! it's available at all our live shows but if you must have it now simply click on any of the images below and you'll be directed to the proper site..
Emily Miller- Lead vocals, fiddle, guitar
Emily was born in Kansas and raised in Hong Kong, where her family band performed traditional american music on television shows and in shopping malls throughout the city. She regularly shares her extensive knowledge of country music through harmony-singing workshops (often taught in collaboration with her mother, Val Mindel) around the country. Emily recently earned a masters degree in speech pathology at Vanderbilt University. You can call her "Master" if you want to...
Zara Bode- Lead vocals and guitar
Zara was raised along the the respective coasts by a dancer and a comic artist. Her singing first drew attention at the Pioneer Valley School of Performing Arts where she was a high school starlet melting the hearts of audiences with her soulful voice and easy going stage presence. She has since studied musical theater, and currently works as a hired gun in NYC for vocal background recordings and arangements. In an ideal world she would be doing voice overs for cartoons.
Jesse Milnes- fiddle, finger-picking guitar and harmony vocals
Jesse Milnes was born on a sheep farm in Webster County, WV, and moved to Elkins, WV when he was nine. Among his main musical influences are his dad, Gerry Milnes, who taught him to fiddle and West Virginia's Yodeling Monk, Bruce Betler who taught him to sing. When he's not touring with the Sweetback Sisters, Jesse runs a fiddle repair shop out of his garage. He is double jointed in his left thumb, and after several beers can place his right foot entirely behind his head. He currently lives in Valley Bend, WV.
Ross Bellenoit - electric guitar and harmony vocals
Ross Bellenoit was raised in Western Massachusetts with a walkman in one hand and a cassette tape of Talking Heads' "Stop Making Sense" in the other. Having studied classical guitar for 10 years, conducted a symphony orchestra when he was 12, earned a degree in jazz guitar, opened for Bob Dylan, recorded with John Carter Cash, and toured Germany, it seems our little rolling thunder, Ross, has seen it all. All, except the Liberty Bell. Though
he's now quite settled in Philadelphia, he's just not interested. We'll try not to hold that against him.
Stefan Amidon - drums and bass vocals
Stefan Amidon grew up singing in his own family band The Amidons, and picked up many instruments along the way. Primarily a drummer, Stefan has played with many folk bands such as Popcorn Behavior, Lissa Schneckenberger, Matt and Shannon Heaton, and The Sevens. More recently he has played drums in jazz bands big and small, timpani in orchestras and clarinet with his older brother, avant-folk artist Sam Amidon. Stefan graduated from Oberlin Conservatory with a degree in Jazz Performance.
Peter Bitenc - doghouse bass
Peter Bitenc grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was gigging in local clubs not long after taking up the bass at age 15. Peter attended the New England Conservatory of Music where he studied with Steve Lacy, Cecil McBee, and Jerry Bergonzi and graduated with a degree in Jazz Studies in 2004. Peter moved to New York City in 2005 where is currently active in the Jazz, Rock and Bluegrass scenes. Peter has played on various albums such as Casey Dienel's "Wind Up Canary" and Heather & the Barbarians' "Tell Me Tonight." He's also a part of the Daniel Levin Quartet, Holus Bolus, The Dive Bar Dukes, Heather & the Barbarians, and Oh Liza Jane.
© 2011 Signature Sounds Recordings
1. LOVE ME, HONEY, DO
W.S. Stevenson, C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles (SONY/ATV ACUFF ROSE MUSIC)
Zara: lead vocals; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar, fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: harmony vocals
Patsy Cline first recorded this song in 1959. It caught our attention with that killer opening groove that transports you straight to the 1950s. We only learned the song a few months before we recorded it, but by the time we entered the studio it already felt like an essential part of our repertoire. In fact, it ended up being the first song we recorded in the Fight sessions and set the mood for the whole record.
2. TEXAS BLUEBONNETS
Laurie Lewis (BUG MUSIC/SPRUCE AND MAPLE MUSIC)
Emily: lead vocals, harmony fiddle; Zara: lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: lead fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: piano; Octavio Mateo: trumpets
We have been playing this song live for a few years and adore it. We were hesitant to record it, though, because Lauries own recording of it is so tough and swinging. But as they say, when in doubt, add some Mexican trumpet. So we called on a new friend, Octavio Mateo, to push our version right through the roof with his authentic mariachi stylings.
3. IT WONT HURT WHEN I FALL DOWN FROM THIS BAR STOOL
Dwight Yoakam (FIGS D. MUSIC, INC./COAL DUST WEST)
Emily: lead vocals; Zara: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Andy Keenan: pedal steel; Devin Greenwood: piano, percussion
Dwight Yoakam stands out among his contemporaries as an artist who looks to the past rather than the present for inspiration. He recorded duets with our mutual musical role model, Buck Owens, and knows how to lay down a perfect honky-tonk groove. We were turned onto this song by our good friend, Eric Merrill (producer of our first record). No country record is complete without some alcohol-powered heartache drowning, right?
*4. LOOKING FOR A FIGHT
Jesse Milnes (KNAPP HOLLOW MUSIC)
Zara: verse intros and harmony vocals; Emily: lead vocals and chorus intros; Ross: electric guitar, baritone guitar, triangle; Jesse: acoustic guitar, fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: organ, piano, percussion
This song was initially inspired by the Hank Williams song Youre Gonna Change, or Im Gonna Leave, which we performed a few times many years ago. I liked the quick rhymes and tried to emulate them. My songs about wishing your antagonist would poke his head up like a mole for you to whack. Jesse
*5. RUN HOME AND CRY
Emily Miller (KNAPP HOLLOW MUSIC)
Emily: lead vocals; Zara: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar, banjo; Jesse: acoustic guitar, fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums, harmony vocals on chorus; Devin Greenwood: harmony vocals on intro
After a lifetime of happily singing other peoples songs, I had that proverbial strike of inspiration right before a long car ride from Nashville to New York. I had been listening to a lot of Hank Williams and shaped the whole chorus around a Hank-inspired yodel on the word cry. --Emily
*6. THE MYSTERY OF YOU
Ross Bellenoit
Zara: lead vocals; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar, classical guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Andy Keenan: pedal steel; Devin Greenwood: organ, harmony vocals, percussion
"This song was written partially as a challenge to write a song with an incredibly long title. Fortunately, the song was renamed at the end. I had been listening to a lot of Willie Nelson's "Teatro" record and was inspired to write a song that his voice could sink right into. Thankfully, I had the next best thing at my disposal" Ross
7. DONT PUT HER DOWN, YOU HELPED PUT HER THERE
Hazel Dickens (HAPPY VALLEY MUSIC)
Zara: lead vocals; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar, fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: Wurlitzer, piano, harmony vocals
We have several female country role models. Of course, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson loom large in our consciousness. A less well known but equally badass female singer and songwriter is Hazel Dickens. She is originally from West Virginia and writes powerful, image-filled country and gospel songs. This is a straight-talking feminist ballad about the plight of the working girl.
*8. THANK YOU
Emily: lead vocals (verse 1); Zara: lead vocals (verse 2) and harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar, fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: piano, harmony vocals
I wrote this in fits and starts over a period of years. It got its start while I was driving home to West Virginia late one night from Nashville, and I finished the last verse while I was driving home to Nashville from West Virginia. I wrote the words to the chorus when I got lost driving out of Philadelphia and ended up on I-95 instead of I-76. The line walk chalk chicken was inspired by Roger Millers nonsense, but its also the name of a fiddle tune. When your song sags, and youre wondering where to go, always aim for assonance and alliteration. Jesse
*9. THE HEART OF MY MIND
Zara: lead vocals; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar, classical guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: piano, harmony vocals; Andy Keenan: pedal steel
"The lyrics to this song were written in a quiet moment of desperation while riding in the back of the van during one of our tours. It explores the light and dark sides of the saying absence makes the heart grow fonder." Ross
10. RATTLED
Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison (EMI APRIL MUSIC, INC./ EMI BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC.)
Zara: lead vocals; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar, baritone guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: piano, harmony vocals
The Traveling Wilburys tape (a $1 thrifting score) was a solid staple in the van this year. Originally enchanted by the slap-back bass in this recording, before too long we just couldnt get enough of the whole darn thing. While we forgot to record Zaras Roy Orbison kitten purrs, we did capture some more intergalactic meowings.
Zaras crazy spaceship impression in the middle of the song is the single best second on this record Emily
*11. HOME
Zara Bode (BIG CITY GIRL RECORDS)
Zara: lead vocals, classical guitar; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: organ, harmony vocals
One of several Zara Bode originals that the band performs, Zara first introduced it to the band when we had a few afternoon hours alone in the Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe, PA. She sat down at the grand piano and floored the rest of the band with the darkness and beauty of this one. It went through a second birth in a late-night studio session to become the vibey lullaby ballad that it always wanted to be.
*12. TOO MANY EXPERTS
Emily: lead vocals, occasional harmony vocals and heckling; Zara: lead vocals (verse 2), harmony vocals, impersonations; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: fingerstyle acoustic guitar, fiddle; Peter: bass; Stefan: drums; Devin Greenwood: harmony vocals
Jesse did not write this with the band in mind. He thought it was too silly for us, but Emily cajoled him into singing it at a rehearsal and the band adopted it right away. Its been a perennial favorite at our shows. It also gives Zara an outlet for the vast musical theater talents that she has cultivated over the years.
13. COWBOY HAM AND EGGS
Tim Spencer (GAVIOTA MUSIC/MANNA MUSIC, INC.)
Stefan: lead vocals, drums; Zara: harmony vocals, hand claps; Emily: harmony vocals; Ross: electric guitar; Jesse: acoustic guitar, harmony vocals; Peter: bass; Devin Greenwood: harmony vocals
Jack Bellenoit, Rosss dad, unearthed this gem from Roy Rogers and the Sons of the Pioneers. Enchanted by Roy Rogers as a kid, Jack had recently been reminiscing through the wonders of YouTube and found this little ditty that was featured in the movie "Home in Oklahoma". The early western swing stylings, infallibly chipper attitudes and complex vocal harmonies had our heartstrings strumming and were honored that he thought to send it to us. Stefan transcribed all the parts and sings lead and harmony vocals in our version. We dream of someday making a music video at our favorite donut shop in West Virginia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfp-5n7kc4s
*indicates a Sweetback Sisters band original
We are honored to be among the 2011 Iguana Award recipients! Thanks so much to Club Passim and the Iguana Music Fund.
West Coast Tour!
Feb 16 - San Francisco, CA -Cafe Du Nord
Feb 17 - Caspar, CA - Caspar Inn
Feb 18 - Petaluma, CA - Lagunitas Brewing Co
Feb 19 - Felton, CA - Don Quixote's
Feb 20 - San Francisco, CA - Amnesia
Feb 21 - Arcata, CA - Arcata Playhouse
Feb 22 - Eugene, OR - Sam Bond's Garage
Feb 23 - Portland, OR - Duff's Garage
Feb 24-25 - Bellevue, WA - Wintergrass
THE NEW RECORD
IS OUT NOW!
we prefer tin cans & cb radios but if we must resort to other means, you can keep in the know of our latest adventures via:
P
