SisterMonk’s newest album, “Never Give Up” explores the ferocious power of lyrical expression through music and the word. The Seattle band’s songs are written on the edge of a compassionate encounter with our chaotic, globalized, post-industrial world. Danceable and accessible, SisterMonk defies the norm with a totally unique approach to Rock.
“Never give up”, the title track of the album with lyrics by HH The Dalai Lama, spearheads a call for non-violent revolution with an explosive up-tempo funk groove. “The message speaks to me….I need to wake up and remind myself to never give up everyday….you have to remind yourself of the essence of why you do the things you do.” – vocalist Kathy Deane
Jody and Kathy’s three month venture to “Paris” seeded the idea that “it’s a different world today”. They found the “old’’ world of art and literature confined to museums and bookstores. The daunting sense of progress and globalization they felt while playing in front of the Pompidou also inspired the choice of the Seattle Art Museum as the album cover art. Songwriter Jody Rubel says “in the spirit of Proust and The Illiad, “Paris” tells a story of a man ardently following the nebulous path to his true nature...everything about this song was so unexpected and new…I usually write the music and here Kathy comes up with this mean bass lick under “come take a ride” that is so reminiscent of long metro rides…and her out of nowhere French accent is really the shocker here.”
“Grace” is the true life story of a friend,” says Kathy. Set to a rhythmic, Afro-Cuban undercurrent, “Grace” tells of a young girl’s journey down into a world of drugs and prostitution, overcoming addiction, and beginning a new life “…with this broken wing I will take flight…I journey to the bottom before I touch the sky”.
“Sphinx” is a middle-eastern rock re-enactment of the Oedipus riddle. Do we experience vertigo on the edge of a cliff because we are afraid to fall or because we might not resist the urge to leap?
SisterMonk has played notable venues on both east and west coasts: The Knitting Factory NYC, The Open Center, SUNY New Paltz (opened for Michael Franti and Spearhead), Humboldt State College, Evergreen College, NW Folklife Festival and the Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour (opened for Zap Mama).
Compared with: Michael Franti, Ani DiFranco, Dave Matthews
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
“…Band plays well together and the solid groove coupled with the committed vocal sell the songs…impassioned vocal performance…strong imagery…Nice vibe to the band and vocal…seems a solid live act. I bet you do well on the road.” A&R Rep TAXI June 2005
“As the booking agent for our small town club, the two most important qualities I look for in a band are originality and danceability. SisterMonk gets a rating of ten out of ten in both categories.” Aaron Studen, Owner & Manager Twisp River Pub
SONG LIST:
1. Stop Being Afraid
2. Paris
3. Sphinx
4. Birdsong
5. Grace
6. Ledge
7. Tarantula
8. One Fine Summer Day
9. Avalanche
10. Liberate the Form
11. Never Give Up
CONTACT:
Jody Rubel/ Kathleen Deane
POB 165 Langley, WA 98260
360 579 4208
www.sistermonkharem.com
myspace.com/sistermonk
