Tune Up Podcast 2008-2009: Episode 12: Stairwell Sisters & John Sikorski

Tune Up Podcast

The very highly regarded US Appalachian Old Time band, the Stairwell Sisters hit the UK for their first full Scottish tour after a remarkable performance with Celtic Connections last year. With a knack for infusing the old music with intoxicating energy and soul, the Stairwell Sisters will play from new release Get Off Your Money and accompanying the music will be a unique step-dancing/clogging collaboration between Evie Landen and Scottish step-dancer JOHN SIKORSKI of the Scottish Step Dance Co. San Francisco's all-gal urban old-time teardown, THE STAIRWELL SISTERS have amassed a rowdy repertoire of timeless tunes plus a solid standing of smart, original material that is winning praise on a international level as counter-culturalists of every generation enjoy their energetic musicianship, tight vocal arrangements and red-hot buckdancing. In the Spring of 2008 they released their third CD, Get Off Your Money, produced by Austin's Lloyd Maines (Dixie Chicks, Waybacks). The Stairwell Sisters have come quite far since founding members Lisa Berman and Sue Sandlin began practicing vocal harmonies in a stairwell at work. Their third release showcases the all-female string band's authentic old-time sound with the band's present-day interpretations and original compositions. The five member band arranges traditional fiddle tunes and old-time standbys by running music through the "Sister Mill". In this way, songs take on new energies and identities. Thus, songs depicting timeless themes such as working class struggles, love, and loss regain their relevancy Line Up: Stephanie Prausnitz (fiddle/vocals), Evie Ladin (banjo/clogging/vocals), Lisa Berman (dobro/vocals). Martha Hawthorne (bass/vocals) and Sue Sandlin (guitar/tiple/vocals)