T Sisters: Sibling Songs in a New Era
There is perhaps nothing we love more here at COjam than original music. Sure, we've got our tastes in style and in genre but make no mistake – originality often makes or breaks an artist in our eyes. So when we first gave listen to the T Sisters, we couldn't help but swoon at the sweet sounds emanating from the speakers. Sounds of laughter, sounds of sorrow, sounds of the past and of tomorrow.
The T Sisters are a genuine sister-singing group based in Oakland, CA. The group's subtle throwback aesthetic calls to mind classic trios of yesteryear, from the Andrews Sisters of the 1940’s and popular girl-groups of the ‘60s, to the haunting sirens from the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? Anchored by influences in folk, country, gospel, traditional klezmer music and early-90's R&B, each sister brings a unique vocal and lyrical style to a sound that is at once modern and timeless. Rachel (vocals, guitar, banjo), Chloe (vocals, percussion) and Erika Tietjen (vocals, guitar) are all songwriters in their own right and handle lead vocal duties at different times.
While their voices blend seamlessly, their singing and writing styles remain decidedly distinct from one another. We discussed these differences in approach along with the group’s inspirations, tribulations and just what it is that makes them so uniquely, the T Sisters.
COjam: When did you first perform together as a group for a public audience?
T Sisters: We first performed as a group for our family when we were kids. We would dress up in costumes from our grandparents' attic and stage impromptu fashion shows and plays. Erika (the eldest sister) was usually the director of these performances. Most notable was our performance of 'Murder on Mystery Street' which included a cameo by our baby cousin.
COjam: What is your writing process, and how does each individual voice (literally and figuratively) contribute to the song as a whole?
T Sisters: We tend to write music separately and arrange songs together. So each sister brings the lyrics and melody and we create the harmonies and vocal arrangement as a group. We're constantly switching which harmonic part each of us will sing depending on the song, where the melody sits, and to create different effects in the music. Because we each have different styles of singing, the song will sound completely different depending on which sister is singing which harmonic part.
COjam: What are each sisters' vocal range? (i.e. who tends to sing what parts?)
T Sisters: Rachel sings low the most frequently, but Erika sings the low parts as well. Chloe tends to sing the high parts, though Erika sings high on a few songs and Rachel does as well. Each sister tends to sing the melody on the song that she wrote and we arrange the other parts around the melody.
COjam: How does emotion factor into your music?
T Sisters: Emotion is a constant in our music. Every song comes from a certain emotion, real or imagined. Then, sometimes you're feeling an entirely different emotion when you're performing a song. We're emotional beings and thus emotion permeates everything that we do, say or sing.
COjam: What do your lyrics mean to you?
T Sisters: Sometimes our lyrics are serious and at least partially autobiographical. Sometimes they're whimsical or poetic. Sometimes they're based upon an imagined experience. Occasionally we write more saucy or provocative lyrics – those are the most fun!
COjam: Have your guest musicians changed how you perceive your own music? Have they contributed to your musical outlook and/or writing style?
T Sisters: We've been lucky to play with some very talented folks over the years. Our band members Steve Height and Andy Allen-Fahlander support each of our songs very well and they add their own stylings to each song to help create a deeper piece of music. Having this kind of support allows us to imagine richer arrangements and add more depth to our music. Steve comes from a jazz and swing background and Andy from the world of bluegrass, so each of their musical experiences has added to our ability to give each song the life and style it wants.
Catch the T Sisters in Colorado!
Thursday, October 15 - Cervantes' Other Side w/ Shook Twins and The Sweet Lillies (Denver, CO)
Friday, October 16 - Ivywild School w/ Brothers Comatose (Colorado Springs)
Saturday, October 17 - Steve's Guitars (Carbondale, CO)