Sisters Katryna and Nerissa Nields have been performing together since 1991. They have performed with the likes of Dar Williams, Moxy Fruvous and Catie Curtis. They first appeared on The Barns' stage on February 17, 1996 and also played with Eddie From Ohio and Pat McGee Band at the Filene Center in 1998. They were kind enough to take time away from being full-time musicians, mothers, writers, and more to answer a few questions for us.
You formed in McLean, VA. What was your first Wolf Trap experience?
Nerissa: Playing "Twinkle" variations on violin, age 8 on the outside stage in 1976. I was thrilled!
You’ve performed at the Filene Center and The Barns. What do you like best about each venue?
Nerissa: I love being in the indoor/outdoor space, where there is that magical combination of focused, seated listeners and then the loungers with their picnics under the stars. Our performance at the Filene Center was one of the high points of my performing career. I also love to come see shows there! But the Barns is incredibly special. Both venues are so gorgeous, and the audiences are so intelligent and excellent singers-along.
What is it like making music as sisters? Is there ever sibling rivalry?
Nerissa: We get asked this a lot. We've been singing together all our lives and together as professionals for 21 years. So it would seem stranger NOT to sing together. We had tons of sibling rivalry before the band. Sometimes I think forming the band was some kind of therapeutic venture. We work very hard at making things fair between us. Katryna lobbied me for years (age 2-16) to get me to play with her. I lobbied Katryna for years (age 16-22), trying to convince her to "go for it" musically. She finally said, "Yes, as long as no one ever thinks I'm your Art Garfunkel." If one of us feels she isn't getting to sing enough songs per show, or per album, she speaks up and we rectify it. She's the visionary; I am the workhorse. She is the muse; I am the poet.
In what ways are you most different? In what ways are you most similar?
Nerissa: Well, we're both worriers. The big difference is in how we manage our worry. When she gets anxious, she hibernates. When I get anxious, I get frantically busy. We used to confuse each other that way. Now we speak each others' language.
What do you admire the most about the other?
Katryna (laughing): Nerissa wishes she could hibernate more, and I wish I could frantically get more things done! But seriously, I admire her wisdom and intellect and ability to guide and energize me.
Nerissa: She is really present for spontaneous joy. She knows how to make things fun. She has such a big, warm heart and so much empathy. Plus she is a really excellent reader/listener.
Nerissa published a young adult novel, Plastic Angel, and the band released an accompanying soundtrack This Town Is Wrong. Tell us about how this artistic process was different than simply recording and releasing an album.
Nerissa: It's hard to write a novel! You have to keep track of so much in your head, and you have to constantly be reading and re-reading what you have written, making sure it's consistent. John Gardner in his famous The Art of Fiction said that a novel should be like a seamless dream, and in order to do that, one has to be extremely careful not to let the seams show. That was hard for me. I am much more of a poet than a storyteller, where I project a tableau, or bring the listener through a series of snapshots. Writing a novel (and I have written 2 1/2 now) requires much more concentration. The characters need to evolve but not lose what makes them themselves. On the other hand, I could do the work anywhere in the world. I wrote on planes, boats, cars, vans, my bed, the dining room table, other peoples' couches. Making a record marries us to the studio. I am glad I get to do both kinds of work.
What’s on heavy rotation on your ipods right now?
Katryna: The Decemberists, and songs my children pick, which sometimes I like (Adele) and some I don't (Maroon 5)
Nerissa: Dar Williams' new CD, In the Time of the Gods!
Any pre-show rituals that will be taking place at The Barns?
Katryna: Vocal warm up and making the set list. We always do a unique set list for every show. I am the writer of the set list. It's bad luck if Nerissa does it!
Nerissa: Freeze dance in the dressing room! And one sun salutation.
Did you ever consider a band name besides The Nields? What else was on the short list?
Katryna: Atticus, The Wheel, Cartoon Kids (UGH!), Sam, Bangs & Moonshine, Odd Man Out, Katryna and The Daves, The Blister Sisters. See why we had to name ourselves the Nields?
In an arm wrestling match, who would win?
Nerissa, but only because Katryna would let her.
What didn’t we ask you that you wish we had?
We're going to vote for Obama. We loved paying our taxes this April. We grew up inside the Beltway, and we believe there is no greater love we can show for our country than to pay our taxes with joy and gratitude.
The Nields will appear at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Saturday, April 28. Tickets are available here.
You formed in McLean, VA. What was your first Wolf Trap experience?
Nerissa: Playing "Twinkle" variations on violin, age 8 on the outside stage in 1976. I was thrilled!
You’ve performed at the Filene Center and The Barns. What do you like best about each venue?
Nerissa: I love being in the indoor/outdoor space, where there is that magical combination of focused, seated listeners and then the loungers with their picnics under the stars. Our performance at the Filene Center was one of the high points of my performing career. I also love to come see shows there! But the Barns is incredibly special. Both venues are so gorgeous, and the audiences are so intelligent and excellent singers-along.
What is it like making music as sisters? Is there ever sibling rivalry?
Nerissa: We get asked this a lot. We've been singing together all our lives and together as professionals for 21 years. So it would seem stranger NOT to sing together. We had tons of sibling rivalry before the band. Sometimes I think forming the band was some kind of therapeutic venture. We work very hard at making things fair between us. Katryna lobbied me for years (age 2-16) to get me to play with her. I lobbied Katryna for years (age 16-22), trying to convince her to "go for it" musically. She finally said, "Yes, as long as no one ever thinks I'm your Art Garfunkel." If one of us feels she isn't getting to sing enough songs per show, or per album, she speaks up and we rectify it. She's the visionary; I am the workhorse. She is the muse; I am the poet.
In what ways are you most different? In what ways are you most similar?
Nerissa: Well, we're both worriers. The big difference is in how we manage our worry. When she gets anxious, she hibernates. When I get anxious, I get frantically busy. We used to confuse each other that way. Now we speak each others' language.
What do you admire the most about the other?
Katryna (laughing): Nerissa wishes she could hibernate more, and I wish I could frantically get more things done! But seriously, I admire her wisdom and intellect and ability to guide and energize me.
Nerissa: She is really present for spontaneous joy. She knows how to make things fun. She has such a big, warm heart and so much empathy. Plus she is a really excellent reader/listener.
Nerissa published a young adult novel, Plastic Angel, and the band released an accompanying soundtrack This Town Is Wrong. Tell us about how this artistic process was different than simply recording and releasing an album.
Nerissa: It's hard to write a novel! You have to keep track of so much in your head, and you have to constantly be reading and re-reading what you have written, making sure it's consistent. John Gardner in his famous The Art of Fiction said that a novel should be like a seamless dream, and in order to do that, one has to be extremely careful not to let the seams show. That was hard for me. I am much more of a poet than a storyteller, where I project a tableau, or bring the listener through a series of snapshots. Writing a novel (and I have written 2 1/2 now) requires much more concentration. The characters need to evolve but not lose what makes them themselves. On the other hand, I could do the work anywhere in the world. I wrote on planes, boats, cars, vans, my bed, the dining room table, other peoples' couches. Making a record marries us to the studio. I am glad I get to do both kinds of work.
What’s on heavy rotation on your ipods right now?
Katryna: The Decemberists, and songs my children pick, which sometimes I like (Adele) and some I don't (Maroon 5)
Nerissa: Dar Williams' new CD, In the Time of the Gods!
Any pre-show rituals that will be taking place at The Barns?
Katryna: Vocal warm up and making the set list. We always do a unique set list for every show. I am the writer of the set list. It's bad luck if Nerissa does it!
Nerissa: Freeze dance in the dressing room! And one sun salutation.
Did you ever consider a band name besides The Nields? What else was on the short list?
Katryna: Atticus, The Wheel, Cartoon Kids (UGH!), Sam, Bangs & Moonshine, Odd Man Out, Katryna and The Daves, The Blister Sisters. See why we had to name ourselves the Nields?
In an arm wrestling match, who would win?
Nerissa, but only because Katryna would let her.
What didn’t we ask you that you wish we had?
We're going to vote for Obama. We loved paying our taxes this April. We grew up inside the Beltway, and we believe there is no greater love we can show for our country than to pay our taxes with joy and gratitude.
The Nields will appear at The Barns at Wolf Trap on Saturday, April 28. Tickets are available here.
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