Inspired by Phil Ochs, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Van Gogh and all that her world conveys, Baltimore-born SONiA has emerged above the fog as one truly gifted acoustic singer-songwriter. Currently writing more bluesy tunes with "beats and depth," her music is the likely result of having grown up listening to artists as wildly diverse as Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas and the Grateful Dead. SONiA has also established herself as a visual artist, exhibiting and selling paintings reminiscent of early Degas and late Matisse.
In the late 80's, sisters SONiA (Rutstein) and CiNDY (Frank) began a musical partnership that continues to this day as disappear fear, an acoustic folk duo, and disappear records, their own indie label on which they released their first three albums before being signed to Rounder. After releasing two more albums together, CiNDY chose full-time motherhood and SONiA began to experiment with an expanded palette of musical influences, including blues, world, rock and country.
Now touring as a solo artist, SONiA sings with a voice that is raspy yet pure and pens clever, touching lyrics that shine with sincere honesty and unforgettable emotion. Her live
performances are deeply passionate and refreshingly energetic to the last encore.
SONiA regularly appears at Phil Ochs tribute concerts alongside folk legends Tom Prasada-Rao, Greg Greenway, Magpie and Pat Humphries. Folk music is "so accessible and real… [just one of the] ways I've learned to articulate my being," notes SONiA. The Lilith Fair alum has also shared the stage with the Indigo Girls, themselves long time fans of disappear fear, as well as 90's pop icons Sarah McLachlan and Jewel.
SONiA has performed at major festivals and folk clubs, colleges and rock venues, and at Peace marches long before the first Bush sat in the White House. Criss-crossing the USA and Canada, and hitting venues in Italy, The Netherlands, Israel, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Australia, SONiA has logged hundreds of miles on the road and has won over a fiercely loyal fan base thousands strong.
SONiA's first live solo album, SONiA: LiVE at the Down Home, received a glowing review in Billboard Magazine upon its release in 2001. In 2002, the Santa Cruz Guitar Company created the SONiA model in her honor. Fans will have to wait until 2004 for SONiA's highly anticipated ninth release, her fourth as a solo artist.
SONiA has won numerous awards including the GLAMA Award for Best Female Artist of the Year (Almost Chocolate, 1999; Rounder) and for Best Acoustic Album (Me, Too, 2001; disappear records), and the GLAAD Media Award for Best Album (disappear fear, 1994; Rounder). Her songs are featured in the teen movie, Frog and Wombat, and in the independent film, Wave Babes.
Santa Cruz Guitar Company has just named a guitar after her and rightfully so it is called the SONiA model.
Whether performing as a solo acoustic artist or with her sister, CiNDY - SONiA has become one of the most important troubadours of our time.
SONiA will be supported in Adelaide by the incredible Australian performer, Penelope Swales (of Totally Gourdeous).