Folk-pop duo featuring sisters SONiA Rutstein (guitar / vocals / harmonica ex-exibit A), and CiNDY Frank (vocals / tambourine). Signed to Carlin Publishing in London shortly after forming. Their debut album released in 1988 “Echo My Call” featured the duo along with John Grant (keys, guitar), Mark Young (bass -Red Tape), Mike Collins (drums), and Patricia Celentano (cello). The set was produced by John Grant at his Secret Sound Studios.
The group toured nationally and abroad developing a following with the college radio scene. They released two more independent albums on their Disappear label “Deep Soul Diver” (WCVT radio’s #1 most played album for 1989), and “Live at the Bottom Line” (1991).
In 1994 they signed with Rounder / Philo Records and released the album “disappear fear” to critical acclaim. The album won the GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Award for Best Album, a GLAMA (Gay and Lesbian American Music Award), and was named Top Release of the Year by Mix Magazine.
The next album “Seed in the Sahara” (1996) was produced by Roy Bittan (Bruce Springsteen’s piano player) and won the GLAMA for Best Band.
With CiNDY on a hiatus in 1998 as a full-time mom, SONiA released her first solo CD “Almost Chocolate.” She toured Europe and Australia and earned the GLAMA for Female Artist of the Year. SONiA’s 1999 release “Me, Too” earned her another GLAMA for Best Acoustic Album. The title track was chosen by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for their compilation CD that also included tracks by U2 and others. “Me Too” was also chosen by the Philadelphia Folk Festival for their 40th Anniversary CD.
SONiA produced the first CD “Charmed” by Baltimore’s Sarah Pinsker in 2000.
SONiA released a live album, followed by the critically acclaimed “No Bomb Is Smart” that earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Contemporary Folk.
In 2005 SONiA decided it was time to bring back the harmonies that disappear fear was known for and added Laura Cerulli (vocals, percussion, drums). The new duo, along with backing musicians, released the album “DF05 LiVE.” Their 2007 release “t a n g o” culminated in worldwide tours. Their label disappear Records donated 18% of proceeds for every song downloaded from the internet to the United Nations World Food Programme. SONiA also created “Guitars for Peace,” a program that donated acoustic guitars to children in war torn countries.
In addition to recording and performing, SONiA wrote the soundtrack for the documentary “Autumn’s Harvest” directed by Dave Marshall. She also produced commissioned artworks including paintings and large murals.
Local backing musicians for disappear fear have included Howard Markman (guitar), Dominic Vigliotti (bass), Brian Simms (vocals, keyboards), Chris Sellman (bass), Mike Alexander (electric and upright bass), Marc Lawrence (drums, vocals), Steve Raskin (percussion), John Suchy (keyboards, guitar), John Thomakos (drums), Jason (drums), John Grant (guitar, keys and various electronic instruments), Helen Hausman (violin), Jared Denhard (tin whistles, recorder, trombone), Troy Engle (pedal steel), Rabi Elizabeth Bolton (vocals)…
In addition to the GLAMA and GRAMMY acknowledgements, SONiA and disappear fear have earned accolades for Best Baltimore Songwriter (City Paper), Best Baltimore Band (Baltimore Magazine), Best Female Vocalist (WAMA). Musician Magazine has honored SONiA and the group in various years for categories of songwriter, duo, harmonica player, female guitarist, and female vocalist…
Locally the group performed at Buddy’s Max’s on Broadway, Baltimore Museum of Art, Johns Hopkins University Rathskeller, Loyola College, College of Notre Dame, University of Baltimore, Hammerjacks, Eight by Ten, Towson University, Oddfellows Lodge in Towson, Mike’s Crab House, First Presbyterian Church Folk Series, Krashauer Auditorium at Goucher College, Johns Hopkins Spring Fair, Maryland State Fair, Baltimore City Fair, Fat Tuesday, PBS TV, 98 Rock, Mark Steiner Show, WCVT, WJHU, WBAL, WJZ-TV, WBAL TV, Baltimore Pride Festivals, Cafe Tattoo, Depot, Cat Club, Hippo, Bubbles, Catonsville, Essex, Baltimore and Carroll Community Colleges, Bibelots, Border’s Towson, Baltimore Arts Festival, Fells Point Festival
The disappear fear name comes from the credo “whether in the bomb shelters ‘Miklats’ in Israel or summer camps in Palestine, Human Rights Events, Colleges, Festivals or Venues around the world SONiA is always striving to disappear fear and spread her message of Peace.”
Album releases include:
1988(LP) Refined 1002 Echo My Call
1989(LP) disappear 1004 Deep Soul Diver
1991(LP) disappear 1005 Live at The Bottom Line
1994(CD) Philo 1171 disappear fear
1995(CD) Philo 1172 Live at The Bottom Line (re-release)
1995(CD) Philo 1173 Deep Soul Diver (re-release)
1996(CD) Philo 1180 Seed in The Sahara
2011(CD) Disappear 1015 Get Your Phil
2013(CD) Disappear 1017 Broken Film
As SONiA:
1998(CD) PHILO 1207 Almost Chocolate
1999(CD) disappear 1007 Me, Too
2001(CD) Winthrop 2201 Live at The Down Home
2004(CD) disappear 1009 No Bomb Is Smart
As SONiA & disappear fear:
2005(CD) disappear 1010 DF05 LiVE
2006(CD) disappear 1011 No Bomb Is Smart Dance Mix Singles
2007(CD) t a n g o
2009(CD) Splash
2010(CD) Blood, Bones and Baltimore
As SONiA disappear fear:
2016(CD) Disappear 1018 Live at Maximal
2019(CD) Disappear Be My Silence
