| | "As an activist, I've always felt guilty about my inability to write a good campaign song or a folky political sing along. I've kept my collection of sad country songs close to my heart. Inspired by the end of an epoch in my life, and the rapid decay of my mistreated vocal chords, I set out to record them all in one big outburst. Love and fire have been the disastrous and magical driving forces of my life--I've often wondered if I love to sing because I need to process the inspiring highs and lows of love, or if I fall in love just to have inspiring experiences to sing about. For the bitter and for the beautiful, here are the love songs of the past six years, love for family, friends, lovers and the earth. Thanks for listening." ~Sonia A |
Once upon a time in 2006, Sonia and I traveled around the country together in a van with a rag-tag crew of other motley progressives - what many would probably call "hippies". We cooked over the fire and traded songs almost every night for about three months. I spent countless hours listening to her voice, passionate and yearning as she rendered versions of Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash songs that made the originals seem dull by comparison. I was pleasantly startled each time she told me she had just played an original song; I couldn't tell it wasn't another cover from classic country radio. Her vocal style is along the lines of Lucinda Williams or Gillian Welsh, with flavors of the Natalie Merchant and Ani DiFranco she grew up singing, mixed together into something that is entirely her own.
"The Pies are Burning" is one of my favorite songs ever. Funny and true, it is the tongue-in-cheek recounting of trying to keep a relationship together by ignoring obvious problems. When I get to see her in person, I always request "All the Way Down" so I can hear her powerful, wailing style. Some of the tracks are missing, and due to the limits of technology they may never be recovered. Unfortunately the one we wrote together, "Circle The Room" is one of the casualties. Maybe we'll get around to recording another version, but right now she's busy raising a newborn, so it will probably have to wait. And you won't see her performing anywhere, but do feel free to show your support and pay for a download.
If you love banjos and/or beautiful female vocals, dig into this.
"The Pies are Burning" is one of my favorite songs ever. Funny and true, it is the tongue-in-cheek recounting of trying to keep a relationship together by ignoring obvious problems. When I get to see her in person, I always request "All the Way Down" so I can hear her powerful, wailing style. Some of the tracks are missing, and due to the limits of technology they may never be recovered. Unfortunately the one we wrote together, "Circle The Room" is one of the casualties. Maybe we'll get around to recording another version, but right now she's busy raising a newborn, so it will probably have to wait. And you won't see her performing anywhere, but do feel free to show your support and pay for a download.
If you love banjos and/or beautiful female vocals, dig into this.
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