Music
Press
January 5, 2007
When you hear the Sweetback Sisters sing, the first thing you won't believe is that they're from New York City.
The second thing you won't believe is that they're from the 21st century.
But despite the seemingly dusty time travel voyage back to the old country of the 1950s, both are indeed true.
The sound of this recently formed group is a Nashville throwback of vintage honky tonk.
It's the Opry era of living legend Kitty Wells' heyday resurrected, thanks to the harmonies of leading ladies Emily Miller and Zara Bode (whose vocal resume includes work with Amos Lee and Northern Harmony), which shine with an almost theatrical precision.
Backed by a swinging quintet, the duo yodels, croons, and swoons through yesteryear favorites like Roger Miller's "Kansas City Star."
The group's first disc of its revitalized cowboy songs came out last year in the form of its first EP, "Bang."
While the big city and surrounding areas have grown quite fond of the Sweetbacks' rollicking, dance-happy live shows, the band is now starting to get out a little farther south.
By Jed Ferris - Daily Progress, Charlottesvile, VA
Discography
Bang! (EP), Released January 2007
Photos
Bio
This young group of seasoned performers plays a broad array of traditional old-time & honky-tonk music reminiscent of the 1940s & 50s. With their hot licks and sweet girl-on-girl harmonies, they’re sure to warm the heart of any of you modern day cowboys and girls.
The Sweetback line-up features Zara Bode and Emily Miller on lead and (surrogate) sister harmony vocals. They are joined by an all-star cast of instrumentalists, including West Virginian triple threat Jesse Milnes on fiddle, guitar, and low brother harmonies; Stefan “da guns” Amidon on drums; Philly’s little rolling thunder Ross Bellenoit on rippin’ Telecaster and lap steel; and a slew of incredible bass players including the sweet slappin’ Joseph DeJarnette (of the WIYOS), Corey Dimario (Crooked Still), and our newest addition Miss Amanda Kowalski (The April Verch Band).
Though they have just released their first record (a short and sweet 6-song EP entitled "BANG!") the wild bunch is taking the country scene by storm! They have two successful tours under their belts and are honored to have been finalists on A Prairie Home Companion's 2007 People In Their Twenties Talent Show!
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