Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters

Artist Information

Biography

Are You Feeling Thrusty?

Definition: Thrusty – To have Attitude, Confidence and Swagger.


“They may well be contenders for the title of Canada's hardest working party band. True road dogs they are” Barbara Bruederlin-Bad Tempered Zombie. With a live show that will leave you wanting more, they have been known to steal hearts with their ballsy bluesy sound. An eclictic mix of tunes best described as Americana, these Tweeters will Thrust their way into your heart. Comprised of Drummer Matt Blackie, Guitarist Kevin Robinson, Bassist Mark Wilson with unofficial member on Keys Matt Frost and lead by the cutting intensity of Diana Catherine. What they create together inspires a journey that's both soul-stirring and exhilarating. Accompanied by confident vocals, splashes of harmonica, tight rhythm and tasty guitar, the Tweeters provide you a countrified jaunt. These are fetching songs evoking the spirit of the heartland.

Diana paired with her boys in late 2008. They have played many live shows including various summer festivals such as Arts |Wells, Music on the Mountain, Come Together and the Mariposa after party. They have had successful tours across Canada and the southern United States, Including a Canadian Showcase in Nashville, TN where Diana and Matt accompanied the great Colin Linden, Linda McRae and Andrea Ramolo (name a few) for a great night of music at 3rd and Lindsley. “We are very much a travelin’ band, we love to tour and meet new people. It’s my favourite part of being a musician, the ability to meet so many great people all over the continent and one day the world” explains Diana. But in between travels they continue to grow their fan base in the place they call home, Toronto.

Diana and the Tweeters traveled down to Sarasota, Florida to record their first album The Spirit Ranch Sessions, with Bud Snyder, studio experienced engineer/ producer who has worked with such legendary greats as Tom Dowd. Producer/Engineer Credits Include The Allman Brothers, Greg Allman, Dickey Betts, Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule, Jeff Buckley, Derek Trucks and the list goes on. They will be returning to the Ranch in January 2012 to record their second album. The band is currently in pre production, the album will see the return of Producer Bud Snyder. “ It’s gonna be bigger and better” Says Diana. “We are excited to work with Bud again and have lots of plans in the works with a little something sweet up our sleeve.”

Notable achievements include being featured on CBC's Fresh Air with Mark Rheaume in 2009 and chosen as #5 of Marks TOP 8 Ontario Bands of 2009. They were Editor’s Pick of 2010 in RivetingRiffs.com, calling us a band "we feel will make a big splash on the music scene" in 2010. World Vision Canada has dubbed us Official Artist Ambassadors. They were selected to showcase their talents this year at CANADIAN MUSIC WEEK 2010 and Toronto Exclusive Magazine awarded them best AC Album 2010. 2011 saw the band through a very successful American tour, they will be in pre production for their highly anticipated second release through 2011.

Instrumentation

Diana Catherine - Vocals, Guitars, Harmonica, Mandolin
Matt Blackie - Drums, vocals
Nic Disanto - Bass
Kevin Robinson - Guitars

Discography

EP - Diana Catherine - The Great Catastrophe of the Sixth Sign

LP- Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters - The Spirit Ranch Sessions

Links

• Twitter
• Our Site
• Facebook
• MySpace

Audio

• Walk
  Listen   Download
• Blueberry Eyes
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• Sober (is too hard to stay)
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• Travelin' Man
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• Long Road
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• Come With Me Baby
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• Last Dance
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• 4 Leaf Clover
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• Lucinda
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• Train Song
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• Drifting
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Lyrics

• Walk
• Tavelin Man
• Sober(is too hard to stay)
• Lucinda

Video

Walk -Live at the Spirit Ranch, Sarasota Florida

Photo Gallery

Press

• AmericanaRoots.com Review [+ Show ]
  

  Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters Posted by Don Zelazny | Missed this one last year,...
  Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters
  
  Posted by Don Zelazny |
  
  Missed this one last year, but better late…. The Spirit Ranch Sessions by Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters; now this disc I flat out love! Many things fall under our Americana umbrella, but this is my favorite combination of ingredients. Great songwriting, killer voice, and some great energetic music with an electric touch (and killer band name!) I love tons of great acoustic music, but there is just something about a plugged in electric guitar!
  
  You may not have heard of this bunch, as they just got together in 2008 as “a family of travelin’ misfit, musical gypsies who always bring a party to town.” In their short existence the Toronto bunch have toured extensively across their native Canada playing what has been described as “Northern” Americana. (I like the term Canadiana better myself!) The band consists of Diana (Catherine) DiGiovanni) who wrote the tunes and provides lead vocals, guitars and harmonica; Matt Blackie, drums; Nic DiSanto, bass; and Kevin Robinson, guitars.
  
  The disc is full of great lively stuff, no snoozers here. Highlights include the opener, Walk, as well as Travelin‘ Man, Sober (Is Too Hard to Stay) and 4 Leaf Clover. The glue that holds it all together is the powerful Sarah Borges type expressive voice of Diana. Diana and band remind me a bit of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Similarly, Diana is the face of the group but her band was certainly not an afterthought and she relies on them for stellar support. My rating: 5 Molsons!!

• Quote from Sony Music Canada [+ Show ]
  

  "Authentic Americana from a Canadian band. Diana Catherine and The Thrusty Tweeters are tight and ...
  "Authentic Americana from a Canadian band. Diana Catherine and The Thrusty Tweeters are tight and full of southern flavor. I dare you to listen to "Long Road" and not think of John Mellencamp or Lynyrd Skynyrd"
  
  Jason Lawrence - Sony Music Canada

• From the Producer/Engineer of The Allman Brothers [+ Show ]
  

  “You know things are good when you’re working with a new artist and every song they show you Sounds...“You know things are good when you’re working with a new artist and every song they show you Sounds like it could be a hit record you’ve heard before. And then you realize... NO, THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, THAT YOU'RE HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME!! Diana Catherine Rocks, Tweets and Thrusts! And her band completes her. What more could you ask for!! What more could a producer ask for or a listener!! ”
  -Bud Snyder , Producer/Engineer (GREGG ALLMAN BAND, DICKEY BETTS BAND, ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, JEFF BUCKLEY,TOLER TOWNSEND BAND,GOV'T MULE, FROGWINGS)
  

• Quote from Festival Director [+ Show ]
  

  "One of the most original yet familiar sounds you'll hear comes from the stellar folk/blues collecti..."One of the most original yet familiar sounds you'll hear comes from the stellar folk/blues collection of Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters. During the first ever Music on the Mountain festival they stunned and amazed the audience with their fine sense of timing, humour and high energy rockin' folk. Smart and sexy, Diana leads the boys like a puppet master and the boys don't disappoint. The funnest and most genuine group to come along for some time, Diana, Blackie, Mark and Kevin will surely keep you movin' and groovin' with their fresh and crisp delivery. Get on the band's wagon and ride with the Tweeters!"
  
  

• Quote from Venue - The Rose and Crown Banff, AB [+ Show ]
  

  “Diana Catherine may be small in stature but even with an energetic technically strong and soulfully...“Diana Catherine may be small in stature but even with an energetic technically strong and soulfully driven band she commands a stunning voice that seems to come at you from eight different direction. There repatuor represents a true appreciation of good music, not restricting itself to the confines of genera, style or artist. They meet each song with their own flare while always being sensitive to our historical attachments to each one. Diana Catherine keeps the game acoustically simple and still leaves their audiences screaming for more and wondering how they packed so much talent into so slight and delicate a frame”
  

• Qoute from KRVM 91.9 FM Eugene, Oregon [+ Show ]
  

  “Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters have the right mix of country folk, rock and twang backing...“Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters have the right mix of country folk, rock and twang backing up the excellent song writing and passionate vocals by Diana. For a Canadian band they sure do have a lot of Southern Soul. It’s “Our Kind of Music”.
  -Tim Little, Host of Routes and Branches, KRVM 91.9 FM Eugene, Oregon.
  

• Quote from CBC [+ Show ]
  

  "The album is frickin' great! "Walk" is especially wonderful. Best leadoff track I've heard in a lon..."The album is frickin' great! "Walk" is especially wonderful. Best leadoff track I've heard in a long time, maybe all year..."
  - Mark Rheaume, CBC Music Resources (Sep 09, 2009)
  

• Quote from WSLR Radio Gumbo Host [+ Show ]
  

  Wow! This is a debut? It's seems after just one listen that I've loved this album forever! Great s...Wow! This is a debut? It's seems after just one listen that I've loved this album forever! Great songs, a passionate singer with a terrific band equals an album that can't be ignored! I can't believe these guys recorded this right under my nose in my hometown of Sarasota, and I didn't know about it. It's early, but this is now the best new album I've heard this year and it may be some time before anything better comes along!
  
  Charly Lukhardt
  WSLR-LPFM -SARASOTA FLORIDA

• Mark's Best of Ontario Music '09 [+ Show ]
  

  Artist: Heather Dale Album: THE GABRIEL HOUNDS Song: "Fisherman's Boy" Website: www.heatherdale.c...Artist: Heather Dale
  Album: THE GABRIEL HOUNDS
  Song: "Fisherman's Boy"
  Website: www.heatherdale.com
  
  Artist: Flashlight Radio
  Album: FLASHLIGHT RADIO
  Song: " Flashlight Radio "
  Website: www.myspace.com/flashlightradio
  
  Artist: Andrew McPherson
  Album: LEFTY SINGER
  Song: "Phoenix at the Wheel"
  Website: www.andrewmcpherson.ca
  
  Artist: Kate Beneteau
  Album: THE THING WITH FEATHERS
  Song: "Crash"
  Website: www.thethingwithfeathers.com
  
  Artist: Diana Catherine
  Album: THE SPIRIT RANCH SESSIONS
  Song: "Walk"
  Website: www.myspace.com/dianassound
  
  Artist: Jane's Party
  Album: THE GARAGE SESSIONS
  Song: "No Good For Me"
  Website: www.myspace.com/janespartyband
  
  Artist: Ainsley McNeaney
  Album: TRUE STORY ORCHESTRA
  Song: "Old And Grey"
  Website: www.ainsleymcneaney.com
  
  Artist: Alex Ernewein
  Album: ALEX ERNEWEIN
  Song: “Take the ‘A’ Train”
  Website: : www.alexernewein.com
  
  
  http://www.cbc.ca/freshair/2010/01/marks_best_of_09.html

• Quote from Radio X 88.5 FM Ft. Lauderdale, Florida [+ Show ]
  

  “Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters, Canada’s gift to Folk Rock. The perfect blend of soul, r...“Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters, Canada’s gift to Folk Rock. The perfect blend of soul, relatable lyrics, and sold rhythms.”
  -Donnie Miller – Radio X 88.5 FM Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
  

• Toronto Music Scene - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  CD Review: Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters - The Spirit Ranch Sessions By: Sheena L...CD Review: Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters - The Spirit Ranch Sessions
  
  By: Sheena Lyonnais
  September 15, 2009
  
  Every woman has a little bit of country in her, which is why I am grateful for Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters debut album The Spirit Ranch Sessions. She harbours the female integrity of Shania Twain, but with a folkier, bluegrass feel and less pent up poppy sexuality. Recorded in Florida and produced by Bud Snyder (The Allman Brothers) and drummer Matt Blackie, the Spirit Ranch Sessions grabs harmonicas and charm by the horns and tosses them in a paddock with some old school blues influences and Stevie Nicks’ storytelling.
  
  While the majority of the tracks have a chill vibe, Diana Catherine embraces a little bit of rockabilly flare in standouts “Walk,” “Sober (It’s Too Hard To Stay)” and “Lucinda.” In a city of rock’n’roll, I sometimes forget about the talented Toronto musicians who dare to experiment and defy conventions. This record puts me back to when I was 18 and I’d wear a torn mini skirt, a leopard print cowboy hat and use fake IDs to get into Nashville North (now West 7) to drink Whisky Sours just outside the town where I grew up.
  
  This is a stylistic debut that is original and different yet manages to draw from notable classic influences such as Tom Petty. Lyrically, it is a ton of fun, though I admit when “Blueberry Eyes” mentions St. Clair West it kind of threw me off. Really, we have this kind of kickass country in Toronto? Don’t believe me? Give the Spirit Ranch Sessions a spin and it won’t be long before you grab your girlfriends and head to Dakota Tavern.
  
  TTTT (out of 5)
  

• Now the Girls Sing [+ Show ]
  

  Allison Brown, Sarah Burton, Diana Catherine Ironwood Stage and Grill Aug 16/09 During the brea...Allison Brown, Sarah Burton, Diana Catherine
  Ironwood Stage and Grill
  Aug 16/09
  
  During the break, Allison and I retired to the urban assault vehicle to chat, so that my Barbie Cub Reporter recorder would be able to record more than just those drunk guys over by the tv. When we returned, Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters were already wailing away on stage, stealing hearts with their ballsy bluesy sound.
  
  As I often do at shows, especially those featuring emerging musicians, I bought a pile of cds at the Ironwood that night, but I regret only buying one copy of Diana Catherine's release, The Spirit Ranch Sessions, because I would love to send each of you a copy. It's that good. It's an album that even manages to capture some of the stage presence that Diana oozes. You may not be able to see that swagger on the disc, but you can sure hear it in her voice and in her insane attack on the harmonica.
  
  My advice to you is if you get the chance to see any of these incredible musicians while they are touring the country, just do it. Better yet, see them all on one playbill. I guarantee you will have one memorable night to tuck away into your mental scrapbook, and I am willing to bet you'll have a few new cds as well.

Setlist

We can do 1-4 45min sets

We have 25 Originals and growing
and we have a catalog of 40-50 covers That we rotate

Example of Common Covers:

Free Fallin' Tom Petty
Last Dance with Mary Jane -Tom Petty
7 Months 39 Days - Hank III
Heart of Gold - Neil Young
Dear Mr. Fantasy - Traffic
Midnight Rider- The Allman Brothers
Gold Dust Woman - Fleetwood Mac
Long Train Runnin' - Doobie Brothers
Folsom Prison - Johnny Cash
etc

Basic Requirements

Calendar