Flow Sisters’ Soaring Harmonies Light Up Every Stage and First EP
Videos courtesy of WMNF and Stephen W. Geddes
The first time I wrote about Alexa and Bella Toro was after a performance at Zenfest 2015 with Endless Flow. I had seen the band and the sisters for the first time just weeks before at Hometeam New Year’s Rally 2014 and was so taken with them. At the time, I scribbled that the two lead singers were “short in stature but very tall in vocal ability.”
I’ll stick with that.
Since then, much has happened. 2016 saw them on stage with the Hometeam All-Stars at Hometeam 2015, leading a massive band and chorus through an incredible version of “Eminence Front.” (Yes, I can still hear it!) They often perform with the Dunedin Brewery House Band and did so at Orange Blossom Jamboree, and I also recall a magical version of “Birds of a Feather” they sang at DunBrew.
Alexa and Bella made their first appearance as Flow Sisters on August 7th, 2016, in a ladies’ night with Shevonne and Ari Chi. They light up the stage anywhere they go, and late last year they released their first EP entitled simply Flow Sisters. Their gorgeous harmonies and flawless vocals are completely captivating.
Also on the album are little sister Arianna Toro on backing vocals; Ben Levison, guitar; Devon Gilbert, bass; George Pennington III (Displace), guitar; Julian Carrington Christian, keyboards; and Natalie Depercola, drums. The album is sonically brilliant thanks to sound engineer Vinny Svoboda (Displace).
Alexa and Bella wrote all of the lyrics and melodies. And they offered this on the cover:
Our music has a soul just like each and every one of us. It speaks and reminds us that we are not alone and no matter how hard the journey, we will make it through! We hope our music brings you a smile and reminds you to keep your chin up just like you all have reminded us to never give up.
The message throughout the five songs is uplifting, soul-embracing, and heart-warming, so loving and beautiful.
“No Light” begins with a variety of great synth effects, sounding like strings and The Hang (a steel drum), then acoustic guitar, followed by bass and drums. It sets a beautiful, serene setting for the ladies’ magnificent harmony vocals. There is a brief synth solo and one on guitar before the ladies reenter, and Alexa’s voice closes the song.
We don’t need the light to see
The light within will set us free
So close your eyes and come with me
We don’t need the light
By contrast, “A Day Gone By” is a bouncy, funky rocker, and it alternates between Alexa solo and then Bella joining in on harmony. Pennington has a great guitar solo.
When you look into the light forget about your fright
Don’t get caught up in the lies you see through the disguise
And you, you’ve opened up your eyes
Don’t worry we’ll be by your side
Their words, wrapped in soaring harmonies, are so soothing.
A chunky, funky wah-wah guitar introduces “Colors of Green” with more superb harmonies. There is a brief acoustic section before the band falls into an almost ska-ish rhythm. The ladies sing a great stutter vocal, especially on the line “Down the right way-ay-ay-ay-ay.”
But if you open your mind
You’ll see there’s so much you hide
And all that full potential can take you down the right way
The mood changes again on “Circle Spells,” a lovely lilt to the melody. This one again alternately has Bella singing, then both sisters, and Pennington has another great solo at the end of the tune. And the lyric is so joyous:
Spin around spin around
Expand the view let light surround
Spin around spin around
Be the groove trace the sound
“Peanut Butter Jam” is delightful pop jazz featuring Marcus Boothe on alto sax, and it works so well, with a great bounce.
This feeling inside
Makes me feel alive
This album stayed in my car CD player for a long time. You owe it to yourself to hear this wonderful EP and to see Flow Sisters live, because that is where the magic happens. They appeared on the WMNF Live Music showcase August 18th, 2017.
FLOW SISTERS & More!
03/14 Dunedin Brewery House Band with Flow Sisters | Dunedin
03/15 Phantom Funk | The Blue Note | Tampa
03/18 Flow Sisters with This is TRC, Pussyfoot | Crowbar | Ybor
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