Artist Interviews

Q&A: Sister Sledge

By | Published on Friday 7 August 2009

Sister Sledge, I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you, are legends of 70s disco. Formed in 1971 by sisters Kim, Debbie, Joni and Kathy Sledge (they are sisters and their surname is Sledge, geddit?) they are best known for the singles ‘We Are Family’, ‘Lost In Music’ and ‘He’s The Greatest Dancer’, all taken from their 1979 album ‘We Are Family’. Still going strong, the group are currently in the middle of a run of shows at the Carwash night at El Divino in Ibiza, where you can catch them every Saturday until 18 Sep. Tomorrow they will also be joined by UK disco diva Shena, who will be launching her new album, ‘One Man Woman’. For those not heading to the White Isle this summer, they will play two UK shows in London and Brighton later this month. We spoke to Joni Sledge.

Q1 How did you start out making music?
Our grandmother [Viola Williams] was a graduate of Julliard School Of Music. She was the one who taught us and got us started, giving us a keen appreciation for all kinds of music. She was an opera singer.

Q2 What inspired your music?
We consider ourselves to be extremely musically ambitious, and have been lucky enough to have an unusual number of big hits, and are thankful for all the blessings we continue to receive. We are thankful for the many people that still appreciate our music.

Q3 What process did you go through in creating your music?
Working with dream musicians to find a hook, which works internationally, after that it is all heart and soul.

Q4 Which artists have influenced your work?
So many. Stevie Wonder, Nile Rogers, Chic, Aretha, Ce Ce Winans, a gospel artist, and we love Kiri Takanawa. Traveling gives a lot of influence.

Q5 What would you say to someone experiencing your music for the first time?
Leave your inhibitions at the door, listen from the heart, be prepared to have a great time.

Q6 What are your ambitions for your Ibiza shows?
I have been all over the world, but we wanted to come here for a long time. We left our inhibitions at the door!

MORE>> www.myspace.com/sistersledge71



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