MEET THE ARTISTS
BRANDY CLARK
A GRAMMY and CMA Award-winner, Brandy Clark is one of her generation’s most esteemed songwriters and musicians. In the midst of yet another landmark year, Clark won Best Americana Performance at this year’s 66th GRAMMY Awards for her song “Dear Insecurity,” featuring 11x GRAMMY-winner Brandi Carlile — Clark’s first GRAMMY win. The song is from Clark’s self-titled album, which was produced by Carlile and features her most personal songwriting to date.
Released to overwhelming critical acclaim, Brandy Clark landed on several “Best of 2023” lists including NPR Music, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Variety, Los Angeles Times and Forbes, who calls the album “an Americana Masterpiece.” Additionally, Variety praises, “further clarifies that she’s one of America’s treasures” and Billboard declares, “Clark continues to convey her inexorable talents as both a song-crafter and vocal interpreter.”
In addition to her work as a solo artist, Clark has written songs such as “A Beautiful Noise,” the GRAMMY-nominated duet performed by Brandi Carlile and Alicia Keys, and Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow.” She also composed the music and lyrics for the hit musical comedy Shucked, alongside her longtime collaborator, Shane McAnally. With the show, Clark won Outstanding Music at the 67th Drama Desk Awards and was nominated for Best Original Score at the 76th Tony Awards, with Shucked receiving nine Tony nominations overall last year.
SISTASTRINGS
We’re used to hearing about the power and sonic majesty that comes when two siblings sing in harmony: but what about when they string in harmony? That’s the beautiful alchemy that SistaStrings, the musical duo comprising sisters Chauntee and Monique Ross, create every time they bring their unique blend of classical training, soulful melodies, and contemporary sounds to the stage. With Chauntee on violin and Monique on cello, their virtuoso talents and thrilling live show have found them sharing the stage with Brandi Carlile and Joni Mitchell in just a few years’ time, already making a profound impact on the musical scene that shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to SistaStrings, you’ll never look at classical instruments the same way again.
In one performance, SistaStrings can cover a classical arrangement, create a mashup of beloved pop songs and spin their own surprising originals that defy any easy genre categorization. It’s that fluidity and sheer talent that have secured them spots in Brandi Carlile’s touring band, as well as supporting Ed Sheeran, Maggie Rogers, Margo Price, Allison Russell and Jason Isbell. When they appear on stage, they aren’t just backing players – they become stars of the show.
Recently appearing with legendary Joni Mitchell at the Grammy Awards, Andrea Bocelli at the 2024 Oscars and with Elton John, Annie Lennox, Garth Brooks, and Charlie Puth at the 2024 Gershwin Honors, SistaStrings have also performed at Madison Square Garden, The Kennedy Center, Newport Folk Festival, and on Saturday Night Live. In September, they took home the title of “best instrumentalist” for the Americana Music Associations 2023 honors.
Their eagerly anticipated debut record, produced by friend and collaborator Brandi Carlile, is currently in the works.