Get Off Your Money

The Stairwell Sisters' third album was mixed by Lloyd Maines, acclaimed Americana music producer (and father to Dixie Chick upstart Natalie Maines) who has also worked with Wilco, David Byrne, Uncle Tupelo, and of course The Dixie Chicks, among others. Get Off Your Money blends equal parts traditional covers and originals. All five band members sing close harmonies, mostly performed in duets. After the chipper instrumental "Kentucky Winder" gets the album rolling, a spooky update of the traditional "Hangman Tree" sets the stage for a steam-powered cover of "Boat's Up The River," where you can really hear the braided vocal harmonies pop out of the mix. Banjo player (and clog dancer) Evie Ladin's self-penned and beautifully sung "Cinderella" waltzes a heartbreaking narrative through bittersweet melodies that float on watery pedal steel notes, courtesy of Mr. Lloyd Maines. Get Off Your Money is the sound of intoxicating musical chemistry set to Appalachian mountain music played with both dexterous finesse and a punk-schooled gusto.