 Courtesy of the Artist Touring the Midwest since May 2012, the Vogts Sisters -Maggie and Abigail - have gained widespread recognition for their haunting vocals, tight harmonies, and timeless melodies, taking their music wherever they can including festivals, auditoriums, theatres, and more than a few coffee houses. The Vogts Sisters, who count Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch among their influences, have garnered numerous awards in regional and international songwriting competitions and have released a total of three albums with their fourth, Broken Ties, coming in May. Ahead of its release, the sisters kindly took the time to answer their Essential 8 where they spoke about the album's title, life on the road, and much more. Is there a story behind your album’s title? Maggie: Not so much a story as a theme. Abbey and I were writing songs, and we could tell they differed from those we’d put on our previous album, “Homeward.” Maybe we’re too close to the project to judge very well, but something seemed to have shifted. We didn’t intend it during the writing and composing, but these new songs seem to orbit around loss. Varying losses. They are glimpses at brokenness. What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician? Maggie: Relax. You’ll do fine. What’s the best advice to give to a musician just starting out? Maggie: I guess… don’t take yourself too seriously. It’s very healthy to be able to laugh at yourself and to learn from the mistakes you’re going to make. Move right along. What are your “must have” albums for the road? Maggie: Anything from Emmylou Harris! And Gillian Welch! And Socks in the Frying Pan! How do you kill the long hours in the van? Maggie: Read. Sleep. Play word games with Abbey. Abigail: Watercolor painting, coloring, reading, listening to music, and talking.  What’s the most frustrating thing about being on the road?
Maggie: Sitting still for so long. Abbey: Being in such a confined space with your family for very long periods of time. There are times when we all get a little frustrated with each other, though it isn’t anything we don’t have the discipline to suppress. What do you love most about being on the road? Maggie: Getting to see new places, meet new people. I especially like learning about the history of the towns we visit. Abbey: I love the jittery excitement that fills us all – Maggie and I, our parents, and our grandparents. None of us ever know what to expect, so it’s like a shot in the dark; but when gigs go over well with the crowd, and a lovely, glowing feeling blurs the evening into one happy memory . . . that’s a wonderful part of being “on the road.” Do you have a favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended? Maggie: Favorite – We went to a Gillian Welch + David Rawlings show at the Folly Theater in Kansas City. The audience was silent and adoring, and then thunderous with applause. It was magical. Abigail: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings alone playing Welch’s music at the Folly Theatre. What’s your favorite/”go-to” food on the road? Abigail: Gardetto’s original mix. Do you have a favorite thing to do on a day off? Abigail: Watercolor painting, reading, and watching Golden Girls. Do you have a favorite gift from a fan? Abigail: One generous individual gave Maggie and I an amazing Thalia Capo for Christmas that has a wood inlay engraved with “Sisters.” Website/Facebook/Twitter/Purchase
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