Thursday, January 28, 1999
Versatile artist SONiA carries intimacy home through songs
MUSIC: Folk-rock singer, painter goes solo with lyric croons on
life, love
By Michael Rosen-Molina
Daily Bruin Contributor
The first thing to notice about rock-folk artist SONiA is the
novel way she spells her name. One might occasionally meet a
musician who uses all capital letters, but who ever heard of using
only one lowercase vowel?
"That’s how I used to spell it as a child," she explains when
asked her name’s significance. "You could say it shows how I’m
still growing, learning to walk, learning to write."
Best known for her honest, uncompromising lyrics, innovative
melodies and frequently scathing critiques of mainstream America,
the Baltimore woman behind Disappear Fear also has a warm sense of
humor and a unique perspective on her life and her art. She will be
sharing both tonight in her show at Genghis Cohen on Fairfax.
Formed in 1989 by sisters SONiA and Cindy Frank, Disappear Fear
has enjoyed a fruitful career on the folk scene. The group released
three albums on its own label ("Echo My Call," "Deep Soul Diver"
and "Live at The Bottom Line") before being picked up by Rounder
Records. Disappear Fear won the award for Best OUT Band at the 1998
Gay & Lesbian American Music Awards for its fifth album, "Seed
in the Sahara." Although Cindy left the group in the early ’90s to
concentrate on her family, she will rejoin her sister for a special
concert at her sister’s hometown in February. Currently, SONiA is
touring solo for the first time.
SONiA’s most recent release, "Almost Chocolate," leans more
toward rock, but still concentrates on flowing guitar melodies and
lush vocals. The album title alludes to the similarity between the
chemical released in the brain while eating chocolate and that
released while falling in love.
From the earnest title, SONiA’s ultimate message is not
surprising: Love is love. Beyond that, there is no blanket
statement that can be made.
"When you disappear the fear between two people, what you get is
love," says SONiA.
True to her name, SONiA continues to grow and experiment with
new sounds and styles. She welcomes the challenge of the solo
concert series, taking the opportunity to work with different
guitarists, violinists and flutists.
"Is it flootist or flautist?" she wonders aloud, speaking of a
San Francisco trip where she played with jazz flutist Larry Kassin.
The experience gave her "the opportunity to be spontaneous. And
that’s the true essence of folk music."
Even with her shift to heavier rock beats, SONiA remains true to
her roots in the folk scene. The versatile performer recently
traveled to the Blue Mountains of Australia for the annual Woodford
Folk Festival.
"It attracts some 1,000 performers and 90,000 people," she says
of the venture. "It’s amazing; there are fire eaters, singers,
jugglers, digeridoo players – everything."
She was so popular that she was asked to return again for next
year’s festival.
Despite her busy schedule, SONiA is also an avid painter. Her
work abounds in surreal, dreamlike images, full of meshing colors
and slightly askew figures. "Blue Lobster Dancer" pictures a clawed
man twirling to an unheard tune; "Fig Leaf Guitar" features a naked
musician with a conveniently placed instrument.
Choosing ideas for her projects, SONiA follows the time-tested
method of simply painting whatever she feels compelled to put on
canvas.
Although perhaps less accessible than her music, her art still
expresses the same goals.
"It’s different working with images than with words, but my
inspiration comes from the same source," SONiA admits. "I would
never advocate something that isn’t good or healthy for people. My
music isn’t poisonous and neither are my paintings."
In any medium, SONiA is more interested in expressing her
personal thoughts than in exposing any divine, immutable truth. Her
music contains some serious thoughts, but SONiA herself does not
take life too seriously.
Asked if she has any profound insights to share, she thinks a
moment before sagely pronouncing, "It doesn’t get any better than
chocolate chip cookies and the one you love."
Truer words were never spoken.
CONCERT: SONiA will perform at the Genghis Cohen, 740 Fairfax
Ave. tonight.In Your Face Promotions
SONiA of Disappear Fear brings folk-rock to Genghis Cohen on
Fairfax tonight.
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