The Plain Janes
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The Plain Janes

Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada | SELF | AFM

Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada | SELF | AFM
Band Americana Bluegrass

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Manager, Corporate Communications, ATCO I-Tek , November 2006"

“The first time I saw the Vissia Sisters was during the 2005 Canadian Finals Rodeo media launch at Northlands in Edmonton, Alberta. I was so taken with their performance and vocal abilities that I immediately booked them for a future hosting opportunity with ATCO I-Tek’s clients. Alexandra, Aleisha, and Andrea performed for the ATCO Group of Companies at a reception hosted by our company prior to the opening ceremony of the Canadian Finals Rodeo in November 2006. The girls delivered strong vocals and a compelling performance to our clients, impressing everyone in attendance with their musical talent. I was also pleased with their professional conduct during setup and breakdown as well as during the show.”
- Colleen Foster


"Anchor Advertiser, Edson, AB, October 24, 2005"

“The Vissia Sisters wowed the crowd with great vocal harmonies, emerging but solid musicianship and a very developed stage presence for such a young collection of performers. Andrea at 12 years old was the youngest and sang lead and harmonies while playing mandolin. Aleisha, the 15 year old of the group played guitar, banjo and also sang lead and harmonies. Her vocal development was stunning and shows where her younger sister is headed. Speaking of stunning, Alexandra at 16 played very solid lead and rhythm guitar and displayed a great ear for slide on the dobro. She led the band in every way, holding down the front person spot like a seasoned pro and like her sisters sang with a warm pure voice.
The magic of vocal harmonies can be at their best when put together by siblings and these three girls nailed ‘em up.”
- Leigh Friesen


"Edmonton Journal, August 5, 2006"

“The Axe Music Songwriters Workshop Tent filled in a hurry Friday as a cloudburst had everyone running for cover on the Jamboree midway.
Not only did the 400 or so in attendance save themselves a soaking, they got a glimpse of what is on the horizon of Alberta's country music scene.
Continuing to impress are the three young Vissia sisters, who combine bluegrass instrumentation and sweet harmonies with endearing original tunes, largely written by the oldest sister Alex, who is all of 17 years old. Her 13-year-old mandolin-playing sister, Andrea, sang the lead on Little Bo-Peep, a song dealing with the cliquish nature of girls in public schools.”
- Peter North


"Entertainment Coordinator,Vancouver Island Exhibition, Nanaimo, BC, August 2006"

“I hired the Vissia Sisters as an opening act for our Friday Night Headliner “Adam Gregory” on August 18th, 2006. I must say they more than fulfilled on stage what I was hoping for. From their lyrical genius, musical diversity and vocal harmonies these three young women wooed the crowd with applause that was endless. Their natural country charm comes from their souls with a freshness that leaves one to feel graced after working with them. Amazing, Simply Amazing. They are stars in their own light.”
- Karen L. Clevette


"Edmonton Sun, August 11, 2008 "

The Vissia Sisters are like a folk version of the Dixie Chicks, a smooth sound for such young performers. Fifteen-year-old Andrea is the youngest of the alliterated sisters (the other two are Alex and Aleisha), barely old enough to remember the ‘90s let alone sing about heartbreak and sorrow. But it works and the three are surely going places.”
-Justin Bell, Edmonton Sun, August 11, 2008 - Justin Bell


Discography

2009 The Plain Janes - full-length album

2007 Chrysalis - EP (3 songs)

2006 Blue Sky - single
Released to Canadian Country Radio August 2006

2005 Bend in the Road - EP (5 songs)


2003 Vissia Sisters - EP
(5 songs)

Photos

Bio

The Plain Janes (formerly the Vissia Sisters) are quite the opposite of what the name suggests. Drawing on the influences of bluegrass, country, rock and folk, The Plain Janes' sound can be best described as a derivative of the Americana genre. Alex (the band's primary songwriter and guitarist) pens songs about real-life stories and emotions. Paired with the right melody, these songs are brought to life with the added instrumentation of Andi (mandolin) and Aleisha (banjo). The experience would not be complete without the richness of the trio's trademark harmony vocals– a powerful blend that can only be explained by the fact that these young ladies are in fact sisters.

The Plain Janes literally grew up on the stage, and their musicianship has grown right along with them. They have been nominated twice at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and were also granted a Canadian Country Music Week showcase. Having played such nationally and internationally acclaimed events as the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, and the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the Plain Janes have been gathering recognition everywhere they go. In Canada, they have played as far west as Vancouver Island and as far east as Ottawa. Out-of-country opportunities have included locations south of the border in Arizona and Tennessee, and even more memorably, a trip across the Pacific Ocean in 2006 for a tour in Japan.

The Plain Janes released their highly anticipated first full-length album in the fall of 2009 with the immense help of a $10,000 Rawlco Radio Grant. The album consists of completely original material, all of which has been written by one or more of the ladies. Recorded in Edmonton, AB with Mike Lent (Jann Arden), the album resonates with earthy warmth that can only be captured with recording in a live-off-the-floor style. The compilation is essentially acoustic (but for two arrangements) with the Plain Janes’ incredible harmonies front and center on every track. From upbeat folk-pop tunes like 8 Feet of Brown Paper to rootsy ballads like Letting Go, the self-titled album will capture any listener regardless of genre preference. A little bit folk, a little bit country, the Plain Janes are definitely a little something you don’t want to miss.