The Roadside Daisies feature the skillfully crafted melodies of singer songwriters: Sophia Ferrera (vocals, guitar), Alyx Benham (vocals, piano), and Jason Ferrera (vocals, guitar). The solid grooves are provided by John Paul McLean (bass), and Jack Spirit (drums).  Together, this intriguing ensemble creates a soundscape reminiscent of the rich harmonies of Zap Mama combined with the musical genius of REM. 

Inside scoop:

With Sophia and Alyx, formerly of Copper Wimmin it is no wonder that the Roadside Daisies sounds never fail to captivate their listeners.  As semi-finalists at the Lilith Fair competition, these women are not new to the music scene.  Together, they have already met success in the NORBAYs, and in the San Francisco Bay Area Harmony Sweepstakes – where they took home a silver metal.  Most recently, their work has earned them the prestigious 2006 Isadora Duncan Dance Award for best musical score, and has been featured on the Showtime series The L Word.  They have shared the stage with the Indigo Girls, Jason Moraz, and Ani Difranco, and have trained under renowned vocal artists, Rhiannon and Linda Tillery. 

If Sophia and Alyx are the heart of the Daisies, then Jason, John Paul, and Jack are definitely the soul.  Singer/songwriter Jason refers to himself as the “closet case musician.”  Self-taught, he recalls playing guitar in his bedroom behind closed doors.  “(Music) was my therapy,” he remembers.  Friends and family heard his amazing aptitude for composition, and encouraged him to perform.  Influenced by Jefferson Airplane and Hendrix, Jason built upon this to create a versatile energetic sound which rapidly gained him respect in the local music scene. 

 Another well respected musician, Jack studied music with composer and percussionist George Mark at Sonoma State University.  Fondly known as the “Tantric Tapper,” Jack’s creativity has been heard with local favorites JoAnne Rand, and Pack of Wolves.  He thrives off of connecting with the audience, especially in live performances. Bassist John Paul completes this talented group of musicians.  A graduate of Berklee College of Music, John Paul creates profound grooves which continue to enthrall listeners.  Influenced by such greats as Motown’s James Jamerson and legendary Paul McCartney, John Paul’s groves and arrangements are simply captivating.  

So, how did this path unfold?  Jason and Sophia were scheduled to perform with another musician, when a minor disaster struck – the other musician fell ill at the last minute.  Alyx jumped into action and joined the two.  Together, the three friends put on an electrifying and completely spontaneous performance.  They knew that they had discovered something unique and magical.  Almost immediately, they began collaborating with Jack.  Jack enthusiastically introduced bassist John Paul to the group – and the Roadside Daisies were born.

Roadside Daisies are amazingly persistent miracles of nature, which sprout their beauty in the most unlikely places – they represent hope and determination, as does this band.  Their strong friendship is apparent in their performances. Together they intertwine their talents and fuse intricate melodies and trademark harmonies that have their listeners dancing one minute, and spellbound the next.