SONiA — aka, the independent singer/songwriter Sonia Rutstein — once compared her musical stylings to “a bird jumping off a window ledge. It’s in that split second of trust and light and talent and God.”
For nearly four decades, Baltimore area music lovers and fans around the world have relished “that split second” and the eclectic sounds of SONiA and disappear fear. On Saturday night, Dec. 14, she and the band will come together once again and perform at Pikesville’s Beth El Congregation, 8101 Park Heights Avenue.
Writing and performing in genres ranging from the Blues and Folk to World Music, SONiA has appeared at concerts around the globe and performed with such luminaries as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, the Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow, Arlo Guthrie, and Peter Paul and Mary. Her latest recording is “Album 23.”
Jmore recently caught up with the Baltimore-born-and-bred SONiA to talk about her upcoming concert, music and the state of the world.
Jmore: How did this concert at Beth El come about?
SONiA: This is where it all began. I first decided to pursue music as a career right in the very spot where I’m performing now. Andrew Braun, who was the synagogue administrator at Beth El (and later became my stepfather), booked me and my sister Cindy [Frank] to perform at the Purim party in the Offit Auditorium. We were introduced as ‘The Rutstein Sisters.’
We were slated to play for 30 minutes. But as things often go when you’re just starting out, no one was paying attention. We ended up only playing for about 10 minutes.
I was working at the Beef Inn on Smith Avenue at the time, earning $1.40 an hour (while the guys were making $1.65), and we got paid $50 for that short set. I did the math in my head: $1.40 for an hour of work or $50 for 10 minutes of playing music. It was clear: making music was way more profitable than filling ketchup bottles and burning pizzas!
So this concert isn’t just a show. It’s a full-circle moment for me. I’m so grateful to be coming home to Beth El and have the opportunity to perform with my incredible band, including Cindy, Pete [Strobl], Marc [Lawrence], Howard [Markman], Brian Simms, Tobias [Hurwitz] and the rest of the talented musicians who will be joining us.
I’m just so excited to share this moment with my hometown audience. We’ll have beer, snacks and extra security — because we’re going big!
What should your local fans and others expect at the show?
You can expect an absolutely epic show, folks! For those who have been with me from the start, they know this is going to be a reunion of sorts. Not only will I have my amazing band with me — including Seth Kibel, the klezmer virtuoso, on sax and flute — but my sister Cindy, co-founder of disappear fear, will be joining us onstage to sing her heart out!
We’ll be playing a mix of our classic disappear fear hits with newer tracks that showcase how our sound has evolved. It’s going to be a high-energy, deeply emotional and joyous celebration of music, family and community.
How do you characterize your music?
I’ve found the best way to answer that question is to ask people what kind of music they like, and then I pull from my catalog to find something that resonates with that. For example, my latest album is a smorgasbord of sounds. The title track ‘23’ is a mix of Joni Mitchell, Yes and ELP, while ‘Ride This Ride’ is much more Garth Brooks. ‘Me Too’ brings to mind John Prine, and ‘Box of Tissue’” is very Mavis Staples.
Some songs have a soulful, folk-rock feel like the Indigo Girls (‘Deep Soul Diver’), and others are very much in the Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen tradition, like ‘Washington Work Song’ and ‘Moment of Glory.’ It’s a bit of everything, depending on the song and where the muse takes me.
What direction do you see popular music going in?
There’s a lot of amazing indie music out there right now — so much variety and creativity. Platforms like Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon give us access to incredible artists, but there’s always that big fish/little fish dynamic, right?
Back in the ‘90s, when disappear fear was hitting our stride, we were selling out venues in D.C. and Baltimore, but we didn’t have the tools to broadcast that success to a wider audience. Today, an indie artist can get their music out there faster than ever, but the major labels still hold a lot of sway. And it’s still a pyramid pay scale where the biggest names get the most money.
I do believe real music made with heart and soul will continue to survive and thrive. People need it. It’s how we breathe, like swimming or playing sports — it’s something we do intentionally, with purpose. That will never go out of style.
You’re a longtime activist for human rights and LGBTQ+ issues. How are you feeling in the wake of the recent elections?
I’m deeply disheartened by the direction our country is heading. I’ve always believed in the idealism of America — the hope that we can make things better — but it’s hard to keep that faith when I see people I love voting for policies that go against the values I hold dear. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights feels like it’s being undone, and the freedoms we’ve fought for over the last 50 years are under attack. It’s a frightening time, especially for the younger generation.
But as a boomer, I know I have a responsibility to keep fighting, keep speaking out and keep using music to bring people together.
You’ve spent a lot of time in the Middle East. Do you still believe in a two-state solution and peace?
I do believe peace is possible, but I have some ideas on how it could be achieved that go beyond the traditional two-state solution. We need to consider a more inclusive, democratic approach, one that allows all people living in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank to have a voice. I’ve worked with organizations like HungryforMusic.org to bring music and instruments to children in the region, and I’ve seen firsthand the power of art to bridge divides.
If we can unite the global Jewish community to have a voice in Israel’s leadership, we could create a democracy that serves everyone equally. Basically, this means that all Jewish adults could vote in Israeli national elections. The entire diaspora would, for the first time since the destruction of the Second Temple, be included and united in one voice having our choice heard in our ancestral homeland.
Can music help heal at a time many Americans are concerned about our country and the planet?
Absolutely. Music has always been a tool for healing, especially in times of crisis. As kids, Cindy and I found comfort in the songs of the ‘60s, like Crosby, Stills & Nash’s ‘Teach Your Children,’ and that belief in change became the foundation for disappear fear.
In the wake of this recent election, I believe we need music more than ever. Art helps us stay grounded and keeps our spirits alive in the face of fear. Music gives us hope and reminds us that change is possible.
You’ve performed with a lot of musical luminaries over the years. Anyone you were terrified to play with?
The first time I sang ‘Closer to Fine’ with the Indigo Girls at Lilith Fair was scary. Amy [Ray of the Indigo Girls] asked if we could do my song called ‘Who’s So Scared ‘ because she loved it. I was completely prepared to do it, but at the last minute they changed it to their song ‘Closer to Fine,’ and I was the one lesbian guitar player in America that didn’t already know the chords. So I was thinking, ‘Ugh, I’m gonna mess it up!’ But it is an easy great song, and in the end it was “close to fine.’
Then there was the time I was backstage at a festival in Asbury Park, and Bruce Springsteen was there. I had the chance to join the jam session at 3 a.m., but I chickened out. Call it stage fright, call it total exhaustion, but I walked away that night.
But guess what? I’m coming back to Asbury Park this January for the Light of Day Festival, and this time there’s no turning back. I’ll be ready to step into that circle, no hesitation.
Upcoming projects?
The past couple of months have brought an unexpected and deeply emotional shift in my life. My wife, Terry, has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer. Being her full-time caregiver is an all-consuming responsibility, and it often feels like a 40-hour-a-day commitment. The emotional toll is profound, and it has reshaped my perspective on so many things.
Amidst this personal journey, I continue to write and create music, though I’ve found myself doing so in quieter, more reflective ways. New songs and ideas are taking shape in my mind being dragged around by my heart. I’m also working on my autobiography, which is something I’ve been meaning to share for a long time.
In the midst of this, there is also a glimmer of hope for my musical endeavors. My musical, ‘Small House No Secrets,’ has gained some exciting traction and is likely to be performed in Germany soon. The script will be adapted into German, though the songs will remain in English, which is a wonderful bridge between cultures.
Additionally, the Baltimore-Washington area remains rich with musical talent, and I’m eager to collaborate with new musicians here. I’m looking forward to exploring what creative possibilities emerge in the coming months.
If you could perform with any legendary musicians from the past or present, who would you pick?
Ah, Hendrix — what can I say? He was pure electricity. If I had the chance to share the stage with him, I think I’d just stand there, utterly mesmerized, completely speechless. I’d be too busy soaking in the genius of it all to play a note.
Janis, on the other hand, was a force of nature. I don’t think my sound would have added anything to her raw, soulful power. She was an entity unto herself, a rock ‘n’ roll tempest.
As for Phil Ochs — well, he was my hero. His ‘Pleasures of the Harbor’ album? Brilliant.
But if I could have just one magical performance with anyone, it would be Louis Armstrong. The man was pure gold. Imagine standing next to him, feeling the warmth of his brass and the joy in every note he played. Just the thought of sharing a stage with Satchmo — riffing on a melody, exchanging a few musical winks — would be enough for me.
Now I know all those legends are no longer with us, but if the universe gives me even half a chance to stand next to Bruce or Elvis or Pink — I’d hit the road, Jack!
Doors at Beth El open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8. Tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets, visit https://bethelbalto.shulcloud.com/form/Sonia-DF-Concert.
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