Lara Parks: lead vocals/guitar Lisa Wexler: drums

Shelly Prior: lead guitar/vocals Desiree Williams: bass

Jen Leigh: lead guitar/vocals Denise Parent: drums/vocals

 

 

Meet Big Sister, an all-female, six-piece rock band from Woodstock, New York, coming at you with So Hi How Are You, their first album for Capricorn Records (and their fourth overall). The album, produced by John Siket (Dave Matthews, Phish), is an infectious blend of soulful vocals, intelligent lyrics, and power-filled riffs fueled by three lead guitars and two drummers. So Hi How Are You is a well-rounded collection of original tunes that fully display the band's myriad of influences, from blues to funk to straight-ahead rock.

Big Sister's roots go back to 1989, when drummer Lisa Wexler and guitarist Shelly Prior met, began jamming, and eventually put together a blues band. Lead vocalist and guitarist Lara Parks joined in 1990. By 1992, they were on the road as Big Sister. Monster bassist Desiree Williams, whose fans include renowned bassists Gail Ann Dorsey (Bowie) and Sara Lee (Indigo Girls, Any Durance), joined in the summer of '94. Intrigued by the concept of two drummers, Big Sister tapped singer/percussionist Denise Parent in 1998. That same year, longtime friend guitarist/vocalist Jen Leigh, who had toured with Merl Saunders, joined on a permanent basis to complete the line-up that is now Big Sister.

Big Sister's musical direction has naturally seen some changes over the years. "We used to turn all the lights off and play blues songs for three hours," says Shelly. "That was a great growth experience. But we've just grown naturally into our own thing, which definitely couldn't be considered blues at this point."

The band credits Lara Parks’ songwriting and playing with influencing their gradual shift from blues to rock and pop – not to mention her powerful lead vocals. From the opening track "Pocket," an out-and-out pop song co-written by Jen and Shelly, to "Disconnected," a Chili Pepper-esque number written by Lara, each of the album’s 13 songs display the many facets of this multi-talented band. "Talk Down To Me," co-written by Lara and Desiree, is a moving rock ballad featuring some stinging guitar. "Dawn," co-written by Lisa, Shelly, and Jen, is a soulful rocker, fully keeping with Lisa's desire to "write songs about hope instead of the old heartbreak." Then there are songs such as "Around," with upbeat funky grooves destined to get you moving. Co-written by Lisa, Desiree, and Todd Giudice, "Around" is a live favorite that invariably packs the dance floor.

In support of the release of the album (July 2000), Big Sister will continue their dedication to the road. Over the last decade the band has shared the stage with an impressive, diverse list of performers, including Bo Diddley, Joe Walsh, The Ramones, Spin Doctors, and Etta James. Their resume includes a performance at The Woodstock Festival in 1994. Their live show is as eclectic as the member's influences, appealing to a wide variety of audiences.

Big Sister's presence is unmistakable, as is the friendly warmth conveyed by the album's title: So Hi How Are You.

Selection #

252 314 542 725

Discography

Soulful Stride

Live At The Lake 1992 (self-released)

Why My Mind Just Up & Left 1995 (self-released)

Some Songs 1998 (self-released)

So Hi How Are You 7/18/00 (Capricorn)