The World Is Ready For disappear fear What do Bonnie Raitt, Johnette Napolitano, Patti Smith and SONiA Rutstein have in common? They're all panelists at Seattle's Rockrgrl Conference, held November 10-12. At the conference SONiA shared her 14 years of experience as a touring musician with her band disappear fear while mingling with musicians, journalists, label founders and marketing execs ? all female. "Patti Smith and Bonnie Raitt are two women in music who have made great contributions so this is really an opportunity to honor them and speak with them," said SONiA, by phone from the conference. "Women from, really, all over the world are attending it." SONiA and disappear fear are touring to release their new CD, DF05 Live, 20 tracks meandering through folk, blues and rock territory. Recorded live at huge festivals and small listening rooms throughout the country, DF05 Live includes both originals and classic protest songs (Phil Och's "Is There Anybody Here," for instance). The band is celebrating a strong new lineup too. Laura Cerulli both drums and sings, while Angela Edge adds bass and trumpet to SONiA's lead vocals, guitar, harmonica and piano. With her long blond dreadlocks, ripped jeans and gentle-but-tough activist ethic, SONiA and the band continue to inspire audiences the world over, urging them to take pride in who they are, stay strong, and never stop pointing out injustice. SONiA and disappear fear play 8 pm, Thursday, Nov. 17 at Sam's Place. Vanessa Salvia |