SONiA brings world music to Thomas
By Michelle Wolford
She’s been likened to Bruce Springsteen and Melissa Etheridge, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.
Her name is Sonia and she performs as SONiA, explaining that “people of the world see things through small eyes”.
Her backing group is called disappear fear. SONiA’s explanation of the title:
When you disappear fear; what remains is love.
The Maryland-based singer/songwriter, who performs Friday at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, has released 11 albums and is at work on a 12th.
The latest, due out in September, will be a bit different from her previous rock-folk works.
“What’s different is it’s a world CD,” she said. “Seven of the songs are sung in Spanish, two in Hebrew and one in Arabic. The other three are sort of combinations of those languages—English and Spanish, English and Hebrew, English and Arabic.
“It really broadens our thinking parameters, when you try to take an experience in the language you think in and put it in another language. It helps me understand why people live the lives they do and helps me one to one be more respectful of that.
“It really gives you a more direct experience of standing in someone else’s shoes, bringing other parts of the world to people in America, to deal with others in a closer way.”
SONiA’s quest to make the world a better place through her music has earned her fans from all walks of life.
My fanbase reaches across demographics of age and those who resonate to the idea of disappear fear,” she said. “Some of them are young and it’s my voice that sends them. For my fans who have cerebral palsy, it makes them scream with joy and dance.”
She said her fans include peace activists and veterans, young and old.
“It’s where you plant, “ she said. “I play at oflk festivals, colleges. A variety of people that like my work because of the issues I speak about. Some are attracted to the element of being outspoken or even using some Jewish philosophy in my writing. And that I’m a female guitar player.”
Though she’s no stranger to large festival, the well-traveled musician also likes the intimacy of smaller venues—like the Purple Fiddle.
“I like the realness. When you’re playing the big festivals, people are just like ants. While the sound systems are great, the equipement and the vibe…at the smaller venues you really feel the vibrance and it’s more real. The Purple Fiddle…Its’ just got its own really good vibe”.
“There are moments when it’s just right.”
To hear SONiA’s music, go to disappearfear.com