Who would have thought that a girl from the dry desert of Temecula and a field hockey player from Canada would connect in the windy city of Chicago? Sherri-Anne and Sam met at an open mic called “The Globe” and decided their musical talents could only be better by joining forces. Their name was chosen when the girls misheard the lyrics to a U2 song and “cease to speak” became “Sister Speak”.
Singing songs inspired by love, friendship, and the state of the world, the two have turned their musical outlet into an actual dream come true career. Well, that’s because they live in sunny San Diego now instead of freezing ass cold Chicago. Let’s see what they have to say about it though.
Are there lots of good open mic venues in Chicago?
(Sher) Yes there is an open mic every single night in the city, and always a fun one to go to! Some of our favourites are ‘Underground Wonderbar’ and the ones a woman named “Stolie” hosts, like the ‘Globe.’ Sometimes when I was feeling really emotional I would just call up a cab or get on the train with my guitar and go to an open mic and play my heart out. I LOVE Chicago for that!
How did you muster up the courage to drag your guitars out of the house during the winter? That must take a lot of motivation?! That city is cold.
(Sam) Yeah, it does get cold there! Because it’s so cold, you kinda do what you gotta do as far as work goes, and then stay inside as much as you can. Most of the musicians and artist I know in Chicago, write and create the most during the winter. When it’s sunny and beautiful outside, it’s difficult to make yourself sit down and write. So it’s actually pretty easy to get the courage to still make it out to open mics and gigs, even when its 10 degrees and snowing. You want to share what you’re creating.
(Sher) Even in the winter the passion takes over. In the cold life can get lonely and almost depressing, and writing music and playing live is my solice. We have both probably written more songs in the winter (in Chicago/British Columbia) than in any other season.
How long had you known each other before touring the country for that long? Was it hard ever, did you ever bicker being on the road that long?
(Sher) We’d known each other for about 2 years before the 11,000 mile North America tour. Sometimes we were traveling 8-10 hours then playing that night as soon as we pulled up to the venue. We definitely got in some good fights, but once we got on stage it was easy to forget why we were ever arguing, and just play. We have a powerful connection, so even if we bicker, we are quick to forgive. Music is about reaching people, powerfully, and we have to get over our own frustrations and let the music speak if we really want to do that.
How did you guys get into playing music in the first place?
(Sam) - I grew up in the church and played on our worship team. I learned guitar and after a couple years started singing. I learned how to work with a band and other musicians. After a while of doing that, I started writing my own songs and playing them at open mics and doing small gigs here and there. I was living in Temecula at that time and was still in High School. I planned after graduating to move to Chicago. I still don’t really know why I went. In hindsight, it was not the wisest thing to do, but I did and am glad I had the experience. Living in Chicago was where I made the decision to really give my music a chance.
(Sher) - When I was in high school in Canada my brother and I would write and play a lot together, and my family would have jams at gatherings. This is where I learned to harmonize. My brother really helped me to get up the confidence to sing in front of people and start writing. It was really the open mics in BC(Canada) and Chicago that got me out playing in front of people and with other musicians, and helped me break out of my shell. Once I got to Chicago, the music scene was so vibrant I couldn’t help but start to really share my songs and experiences through the music.
Was it hard to leave your passion for field hockey for music?
(Sher) When I was in University, music was my outlet. I had a very tumultuous journey at Northwestern as a student and varsity athlete (my first album sums it up pretty well). Once I graduated, I worked in Chicago for little while. I saw Missy Higgins play and it inspired me so much that I took a life shift and just started playing music and threw myself in to it almost overnight. It was a natural evolution but it was tough in some aspects to make the shift, when I was obsessed with field hockey for about 7 years. My purpose called though and I had no choice internally to do anything but play music. Playing with Sam has made the change very easy. It’s amazing playing with her!
Any musicians you get compared to?
(Sam) Yes, and we have heard some bizarre comparisons too. We hear Indigo Girls and Teagen & Sara quite often (probably simply because we are a female duo). Just the other day someone (who was drunk) told me I sounded “exactly” like Katy Perry, which is a bit far fetched. And one of my favorites for Sher was in Sonoma when a friend in the crowd overheard a man yell, “This is like Jewel on acid.”
What’s your favorite place you have played in SD and where do you still WANT to play?
We’ve played quite a few venues in San Diego, and have had really mixed feelings about certain places. My personal favorite shows have been at the more intimate venues where people are really there to listen. Java Jones was surprisingly one of our favorite gigs in the city, and we’re stoked for Humphrey’s, IndieFest 2011 and H.O.B. We are keeping our eyes on Belly Up. That room is awesome!
Check out SISTER SPEAK this Tuesday night at HOUSE OF BLUES!
By Tracy Petrucci
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