Rising Stars: Meet Sisterbot

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sisterbot.

Hello Sisterbot, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
As a kid, I was mesmerized by outer space. I was sure that I was going to be an astronaut, so much so that I begged my mom to let me go to Space Camp 6 times (the one from all the commercials in Huntsville, Alabama). At the same time that my space obsession began, I also started playing the cello, which I frequently refer to as my first love (besides my amazing parents and sisters!). My love for music was very deeply rooted, with a very musical mom who always played piano, and guitar, and sang harmonies with me, a dad with an ear for hit melodies and great albums, and a stepdad with mega rock guitar skills. And of course, I had some of the greatest and most supportive music educators I could ask for.

Fast-forward to high school- I was still on the path of becoming something within the field of astronomy, engineering, robotics, or science in general. But then, my world turned upside down when I got the chance to see the world-renowned cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, in concert with the Kansas City Symphony at the brand new, state-of-the-art Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. It was an experience that I truly will never forget. I remember being so completely engaged and involved in the performance, watching Yo-Yo Ma play the Dvorâk Cello Concerto. I had a truly out-of-body experience for the first and only time in my life, and I awakened in the middle of the piece with tears streaming down my face and the resounding, undeniable calling in my mind and heart: I have to pursue music!

From that moment forward, I changed my entire career path, switched all of my engineering classes to music classes, and went on to pursue music in college. I have a background in both classical cello and classical voice, with a degree in cello and an enthusiasm/private study of the other. I realized towards the end of my Bachelor’s degree that classical music was a love of mine, but not an avenue I wanted to truly pursue. My first few years of college were extremely difficult, with an unforgiving private teacher, being in the closet, experiencing the death of a person I loved, and a general feeling of inadequacy as a classical cellist. I realized through music directing my first musical that I had a passion for theater and popular music, and it brought me to write my own music!

I officially began the venture of my own musical project, which was originally called “Adee Rocket Dancy.” I picked this name as a tribute to my childhood dreams- astronomy and rocket science have always been fascinating and mesmerizing to me, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate those themes into my musical journey. I released 3 singles under that name until I realized at a coffee shop with my bandmates that “Sisterbot” had a great ring to it. It was originally a joke that we laughed really hard about, but then it stuck! Two weeks before my first album, “Truth House” came out into the world, my mom, stepdad, and I were all sitting together finalizing album artwork, and we decided at that moment to make the change.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been hearing some really great quotes recently, about artistic practice. One that I heard is “The thing that makes people the most uncomfortable about your art is what you should lean into,” and I, unfortunately, can’t remember who said it! But a big difficulty that I’ve faced is putting this group that I’ve been dreaming up in my mind together.

With such a deep background in theater, symphony orchestra, and rock music, I knew that I wanted my sound to be huge and orchestrated.

People have a lot of opinions about how music should be, and there have been many people that think my music is too busy or my band is too big. But this is my vision! I remember at the album release having everything come together, and having both the audience AND my band finally understand the full picture.

It’s still difficult to get everyone in the room and to pay everyone fairly, but I believe in this project with my whole heart, so I know it will continue coming together.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Sisterbot, as I mentioned, is a really big project. At any given time, we’ve had 7-14 members on stage. Many times, I’ve called it a “pop punk chamber orchestra,” complete with a full rhythm section (drums, bass, electric guitar, keyboard), background vocalists, and a string section (violin, viola, cello). It’s still a rock band- but with elements of all genres and disciplines. It is such an exciting ensemble to work with and write for because there are endless possibilities. I find my mind writing orchestrations all the time for this group. We make a blend of theatrical, orchestral, singer-songwriter, story-telling pop rock.

I am so proud of what it’s become and how it continues to grow. With the music that I write, I try to be as truthful and honest as possible, with a central theme of authenticity, self-love, and awareness. I have very few true love songs, but I write of my deep feelings and thoughts. I want to encourage audiences to love themselves fully, wherever they’re at.

I’ve experienced a lot of trauma that I try to process through music, with empowering messages that I say for myself but also that I hope people can find within themselves. I hope to inspire and meet people where they’re at when they hear my music- I hope that people of all age ranges and backgrounds can relate to my words.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I see that as artists, most of our true audiences and biggest fans will be found online. I think that TikTok has drastically changed the scene even in the last year, and I think there are pros and cons to it.

It can be challenging to attract physical audiences sometimes, but I do think that there is great support and love to be found on the internet. I think genres and categories are growing and expanding at such a fascinating pace, and it’s really exciting to hear what people make these days! I feel so lucky to be surrounded by outrageously talented people both here in KC and out in the multiverse. The possibilities are endless and I am so excited to be a part of the music world!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sisterbotmusic.com/
• Instagram: @sisterbotmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sisterbot
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/27TOiclGv72RZUF7IIG7bU?si=ll60Id9qQOOKFDXyPek8iA

Image Credits
Miki P. Nicholaus, James No, Divide KC, and Vaughan W. Harrison