Published: Sept. 15, 2016
WhiskeyBelles bring an attitude of fun to the stage
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
Whiskey has been at the heart of the WhiskeyBelles for nearly a decade.
Oh, so is the music.
The trio of Chrissy Dzioba, Sara Moilanen and Kimmy Unger make up the
country music trio, who play at 3 p.m. Friday at Cedarburg’s Art Museum
to start the two-day Cedarburg Wine and Harvest Festival.
On Aug. 18, they played at West Bend’s Music on Main series and have also performed at the Washington County Fair.
“Our motto is either, depending on your mood, ‘Three chords and the
truth’ or “Three shots and the truth,’” Moilanen said. “We are really
just all about having fun.”
The fun is playing music, something close to each member’s heart, and
doing it in front of thousands of fans. This year, the group will play
about 70 shows.
Moilanen started writing music as a teenager and later learned to play
guitar. Her mom was a singer and her dad was a keyboard player and piano
tuner.
In 2011, she
won the Wisconsin Area Music Industry’s award for Best Female Vocalist.
Also that year, performing with her husband, Tim Suchocki, in West of
East, they won the WAMI for Americana Artist of the Year.
“It was kind of a no-brainer,” said Moilanen when asked when she
realized music was something she wanted to pursue. “I really love to
sing, it’s always been a part of my life. Music is a great creative
release and therapy. It’s just a part of who I am. Growing into
songwriting has really pushed me forward as a lasting mark to leave on
the world.”
It was at West of East where she also met Dzioba, who sang backup vocals.
Dzioba met Unger through separate projects that came together one
night for a jam session — with whiskey — at a cabin with Anjl Rodee.
In 2009, Dzioba and Rodee were in a classic-rock cover band called The
Radio Doctors. After rehearsals, they’d often go see an Irish rock band
called Reilly perform. Unger was with Reilly, playing fiddle.
“The three of us quickly became close friends and after a weekend at
Kimmy’s cabin and late night whiskey-infused jam sessions, we formed The
WhiskeyBelles,” Dzioba said.
Later, Dzioba and Moilanen crossed paths at the perfect time because
Rodee moved to Seattle and there was an opening in the trio.
However, there was an obstacle.
While an accomplished guitarist, Moilanen learned bass to join the group.
About two years later, the trio as it is today had their first gig.
“From there we had our sound, incorporated more originals, have
released three albums and play about 70 gigs a year,” Dzioba said.
So how’d they come up with their sound, which, according to their
website, has been compared to The Dixie Chicks, but also an energetic
stage performance similar to Dolly Parton?
Well, they originally had thought to become a punk band, Unger said.
Then came their realization.
“We stumbled across the ‘Trio’ album by Linda Rondstadt, Emmy Lou
Harris and Dolly Parton, and we were immediately taken by that sound,”
Unger said. “We were all choir geeks in high school and for that reason I
think were drawn to their incredible harmonies.”
Their following quickly grew, playing with some of the top acts in the country, including country music superstar duo Montgomery Gentry.
“Montgomery Gentry was our first national opener we’d worked with,”
Unger said. “It felt very surreal to be backstage and here we are
rolling up in our minivan and parking next to these elaborate tour
buses.
“Stepping onto that stage looking out at the vast expanse of the audience ... it’s an incredible rush.”
In August, they opened for Charlie Daniels at the Ozaukee County Fair.
“We strive to be a light-hearted band that has fun on stage and with
the crowd,” Dzioba said. “The original songs I bring to the ‘Belles’
are all based on my personal experiences, which aren’t always that
light, but with our three very different personalities, we’ve got something for everyone in the audience.
“We try to relate to everyone and keep them laughing and smiling.”
In 2013, they were named WAMI’s Americana/Bluegrass Artist of the Year.
They stay busy outside of their performances. Each have day or
full-time jobs, including Unger, who has played violin with the Racine
Symphony Orchestra since 1999.
“Music has been a huge part of my life since I was very young,” she
said. “When I was 10, I had the chance to be a part of a high school
production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ The moment I heard the violin at
that first rehearsal, I knew I wanted to play.
“That summer following the musical, my folks allowed me to start
playing in the orchestra program and I’ve been playing ever since.”
After Cedarburg, they have a show Sunday at Waukesha Eagles Club, then
head to Indiana and Kentucky for a string of shows before coming back
to Wisconsin — Dec. 2 at Cedarburg’s Cultural Center. They’ve also got
shows scheduled for Oshkosh, Grafton and Oconomowoc.
As for a goal, each dreams of touring nationally and quitting their day jobs.
“I really just want to connect with our audiences, play great shows,
release new original material and have a lot of laughs along the way,”
Moilanen said.
“Also, if we could get our own brand of whiskey, what whiskey woman wouldn’t love that?” Dzioba said.
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