The folk singing sisters Nerissa and Katryna Nields performed a free concert at Alpha Delta Phi last Thursday to an audience of over 100 students. In the dimly lit living room of Alpha Delt, the duo entertained the audience for over an hour with a relaxed and delightful performance.
Prior to their performance, the Nields spoke to a smaller audience of mostly women about the role of women in folk music.
“It was a great opportunity to hear about their lives and the path they took,” said Clara Moskowitz ’05, who helped organize the event.
“It was wonderful to hear them talk before the concert because it gave us an idea of where they’re coming from and their perspectives,” said Ashley Sanford ’06.
The sisters talked about the lack of female singer-songwriters before the 1990s, with the exception of Joni Mitchell. They also explained that Alanis Morissette and Ani Difranco represented a breakthrough for women in music.
“I didn’t think it was possible for a woman to be in this overtly sexual and powerful role,” Nerissa Nields said. “The two things didn’t go together until Ani, Alanis, and Madonna.”
“It was really interesting to get to hear [the Nields’] stories,” said Gwyneth Harrison-Shermoen ’05. “It made it very different to hear their songs, when you knew what they were written about.”
The women talked about their childhood, going to an all-girls’ high school, and the balancing act between getting what you want and being a diva in the music business.
“The worst thing about being a performance artist is learning to fit my identity as a feminist and as a singer into myself as a cohesive human being,” said Katrina Nields.
The Nields also discussed the false allure of “making it big” in the music world.
“Our independent label is such a blessing. We have complete control over our music,” said Katrina.
Both women talked about the joy of making their own decisions, doing something they love, and following their dreams.
“Nobody can take your power away from you. The joy of creation is something which belongs only to you,” Nerissa Nields said.
Although the sisters had intended to perform with the assistance of sound equipment, technical difficulties lead them to serve up an all-acoustic set.
“I think that the concert was more intimate as an acoustic performance,” Moskowitz said. “It felt like the Nields were much more connected to the audience.”
The Nields’ music, which is strongly based in folk tradition with a hint of bluegrass, was whimsical and soulful. They sang songs about heartbreak and love, relationships with family and finding one’s niche.
They also sang songs about the roles of women in society, as well as female adolescence, like “Ash Wednesday,” a song about a pregnant young woman. Much of their music explores female-oriented themes.
The Nields brought tremendous energy and passion into their performance.
Other songs included “Tailspin,” an energetic song about heartbreak; “This Happens Again and Again,” a soft and sorrowful song about teenage relationships; and “Mr. Right Now,” a more laid-back song about wanting someone in one short moment of time.
Katryna Nields sang lead vocals for most of the performance, as well as providing conversational humor and rhythmic foot tapping, while her sister sang backup vocals. Together their voices created a delightful harmonic blend, reminiscent of Arlo Guthrie, Alison Krauss and The Roches. Their voices were supported by Nerissa Nields’ unobtrusive guitar accompaniment.
Wednesday’s evening performance was the Nields’ second appearance at the University. Moskowitz, Harrison-Shermoen, Kate Angell ’06 and Emily Popler ’05 all worked to organize the event.
“We wanted to bring the Nields back to campus because the concert last [spring] went so well, and because we enjoyed it so much,” Moskowitz said. “The Nields also mentioned coming back to Wesleyan to us over the summer. I would do anything to bring them back to campus.”
The concert was funded by several campus organizations, including FemNet, the WSA Speaker Fund, the Good Clean Fund, the Supplemental Fund and Alpha Delta Phi.
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