DianaCatherine

“You know things are good when you’re working with a new artist and every song they show you Sounds like it could be a hit record you’ve heard before. And then you realize... NO, THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, THAT YOU'RE HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME!! Diana Catherine Rocks, Tweets and Thrusts! And her band completes her. What more could you ask for!! What more could a producer ask for or a listener!! ”
-Bud Snyder , Producer/Engineer (GREGG ALLMAN BAND, DICKEY BETTS BAND, ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, JEFF BUCKLEY,TOLER TOWNSEND BAND,GOV'T MULE, FROGWINGS)
- Bud Snyder-Producer/Engineer

“Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters, Canada’s gift to Folk Rock. The perfect blend of soul, relatable lyrics, and sold rhythms.”
-Donnie Miller – Radio X 88.5 FM Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- Donnie Miller – Radio X 88.5 FM Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

“Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters have the right mix of country folk, rock and twang backing up the excellent song writing and passionate vocals by Diana. For a Canadian band they sure do have a lot of Southern Soul. It’s “Our Kind of Music”.
-Tim Little, Host of Routes and Branches, KRVM 91.9 FM Eugene, Oregon.
- Tim Little, Host of Routes and Branches, KRVM 91.9 FM Eugene, Oregon.

“Diana Catherine may be small in stature but even with an energetic technically strong and soulfully driven band she commands a stunning voice that seems to come at you from eight different direction. There repatuor represents a true appreciation of good music, not restricting itself to the confines of genera, style or artist. They meet each song with their own flare while always being sensitive to our historical attachments to each one. Diana Catherine keeps the game acoustically simple and still leaves their audiences screaming for more and wondering how they packed so much talent into so slight and delicate a frame”
- Stan Seaforth Manager Rose & Crown Live Music Emporium Banff AB

"One of the most original yet familiar sounds you'll hear comes from the stellar folk/blues collection of Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters. During the first ever Music on the Mountain festival they stunned and amazed the audience with their fine sense of timing, humour and high energy rockin' folk. Smart and sexy, Diana leads the boys like a puppet master and the boys don't disappoint. The funnest and most genuine group to come along for some time, Diana, Blackie, Mark and Kevin will surely keep you movin' and groovin' with their fresh and crisp delivery. Get on the band's wagon and ride with the Tweeters!"

- Lionel Conant - Chair, Cottonwood Music Festival & Artistic Director, Music on the Mountain

"One of the most original yet familiar sounds you'll hear comes from the stellar folk/blues collection of Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters. During the first ever Music on the Mountain festival they stunned and amazed the audience with their fine sense of timing, humour and high energy rockin' folk. Smart and sexy, Diana leads the boys like a puppet master and the boys don't disappoint. The funnest and most genuine group to come along for some time, Diana, Blackie, Mark and Kevin will surely keep you movin' and groovin' with their fresh and crisp delivery. Get on the band's wagon and ride with the Tweeters!"

- Lionel Conant - Chair, Cottonwood Music Festival & Artistic Director, Music on the Mountain

DIANA CATHERINE AND THE THRUSTY TWEETERS
The Spirit Ranch Sessions
(Indiepool)

Don't let the name Thrusty Tweeters throw you off. This isn't some jokey traditional Country & Western throwback from Memphis, Tennessee. This album is a heaping helping of alt-country, blues, and a smattering of new and old female pop vocal sensibilities. Diana Catherine is the focal point of this release...and with good reason. She offers up a sweet alternative country charm without the trappings of Neko Case angst or snoozy Margo Timmins (Cowboy Junkies) blandness. She's been compared, vocally, to Stevie Nicks and Chrissy Hynde but has neither the monotone gargling glass harshness of the former or the nasal mid-western flatness of the latter.

The first three songs out of the gate are rollicking fast shuffles - "Walk" showcases a Carl Perkins guitar feast (presumed to be played by guitarist Kevin Robinson); "Blueberry Eyes" gives one of the few 'Canadian' sounding tracks which recalls Lightfoot, Murray MacLaughlin or even Bruce Cockburn's earlier work; and "Sober (Is Too Hard To Stay)" is a lyrical bed of confessional drinking-gone-wrong.

Just when you think drummer Matt Blackie is stuck in a rolling steam-train rut, along comes a change-up with a more traditional blues number called "Travelin' Man" where Blackie and bassist Nic DiSanto lock step for a sultry 12-bar showcase. They take another stab at the 1-4-5 with a sassy bump-and-grind number called "Train Song" later on the album.

Much of the album rests on variations of the alt-country feel with the likes of a Dylanesque "Come With Me Baby" complete with harmonica which gives it a peppering of Tom Petty's "You Don't Know How It Feels"; "4 Leaf Clover" walks a more 'Americana' route and could be the book end to "Blueberry Eyes"; and "Lucinda" takes the power of "Train Song", and wraps it in a Linda Barry -- of 4 Non-Blonde fame -- scorching vocal treatment.

Between and amongst all of the band's bread and butter tracks comes a few welcome curve-balls when they move away from Country all together. For instance, they're quite adept at modern pop courtesy of "Long Road" which not only shows Diana Catherine can out-sing Sheryl Crow, but writes a better song (at least compared to Crows last few albums worth of output); "Last Dance" has the most dynamic arrangement as it recalls some of the best of the 1970s A.M. Top40 radio chanteuses like Maria Muldaur, Rita Coolidge and even Chi Coltrane.

Without a ballad on the album to lull the listener into a false sense of relaxation, the proceedings cool down effectively at the very end with what used to be called an 'album track'; "Drifting" is aptly named as it doesn't rely on a traditional hook and chorus arrangement to engage the listener, but instead develops from a rolling wave of moody guitar and dreamy vocals as though the band were wandering off into the sunset. The album ends before you know it...and you end up wanting to hear it again.
http://www.myspace.com/dianassound

? ? ? ? 1/2 out of 5
- GWntertainment Magazine

Album: The Spirit Ranch Sessions / Band: Diana Catharine and The Thrusty Tweeters / Americana - Folk Rock



A funny thing happened on the way to the Kate Voegele concert a couple of weeks ago, one of the opening acts was a terrific group, the Sarah Burton Band and over on the right hand side of the stage playing the harmonica and shakers, was a very good singer by the name of Diana Catharine who was providing background vocals. Well as fate would have it, after Kate Voegele’s gig was over and as I was leaving the music venue, I stopped outside to talk to members of the Sarah Burton Band, and Diana Catharine held out her brand new CD The Spirit Ranch Sessions, and asked me if our magazine would consider reviewing it. I said sure and since it was a long drive home, I popped it into the car’s stereo system. Since that time not too many days have passed by when Diana Catharine’s CD has not been played. She is a very gifted singer and musician, who also penned the music and words for all eleven tracks which were recorded and mixed at The Spirit Ranch in Sarasota Florida. Catharine’s songs are for the most part a good blend of up-tempo and slower Canadiana (Americana) numbers with strong folk rock influences.



Diana Catherine’s harmonica introduces us to the scintillating album opener “Walk,” a song that defines the rest of this fine record, as Catharine’s earthy, sassy and soulful vocals have you singing along to the catchy melody and lyrics. This is a song about two lovers going in opposite directions, one due to their music career and the other is staying behind, but this is an upbeat song, not a downer. The guitars courtesy of Kevin Robinson and Catharine, with bass guitar by Nic DiSanto, are spirited and get your feet tapping and your hips moving. Matt Blackie is on drums and percussion, and provides backup vocals. Collectively they are known as Diana Catharine and The Thrusty Tweeters. “Walk,” is a fabulous song that deserves a lot of radio play.



Musically The Spirit Ranch Sessions is strong vocally and instrumentally, and most of the room for improvement will simply come with life experiences that will add to the evocative nature of Catharine’s vocal performance. Overall, this is a band that should not do a lot of tinkering; because once radio stations get hold of The Spirit Ranch Sessions the songs should climb the charts rapidly.



The magic continues with the second track “Blueberry Eyes,” which features more splendid guitar riffs, this time serving as the intro. This is another relationship song with references to St Clair West, an avenue in Toronto and that is in part what makes this album work so well, because Diana Catharine is a Canadian singing about landmarks and places with which she is familiar rather than referring to the American Midwest or the bayou of Louisiana as some Canadian artists are prone to do. Think of what it would be like for someone who had lived all their life in San Antonio Texas to be singing about the streets of New York City. After all, Gordon Lightfoot made a career of painting Canadian images against a canvass of well crafted songs and Diana Catharine is doing the same thing.



Catharine’s gritty vocals make the beer drinking rounder song “Sober (Is Too Hard To Stay),” and Randy Tracy who guests as a vocalist on this song, sounds like his head is hanging low in a western saloon. The songs on this CD invite the listener to sing along and the choruses are simple, not philosophical, heaven knows right now Americans and Canadians just want some relief from the stresses they are facing and they want their music to entertain them. They need music that they can relate to, and that is not to suggest that everyone is going to relate to a beer drinking song, but there are plenty of other good alternatives on this record.



One gets the feeling that perhaps some of these songs were authored while Diana Catharine and The Thrusty Tweeters were touring, as there is a whole lot of traveling on this album with the aforementioned “Walk,” alluding to a musician who is getting ready to hit the road, and “Travelin’ Man,” and “Long Road,” spinning mid-disc.



Catharine’s vocals are softer on “Last Dance,” but on this one she is upstaged by the splendid duo of bassist Nic DiSanto and guitarist Kevin Robinson who are incredibly smooth, as Robinson plays in the pocket.



Diana Catherine’s understanding that to hold the listener’s attention her vocals cannot be the same on every song, is a strength that shines through, both on “Last Dance,” and the eighth track “4 Leaf Clover,” a tune on which her vocals have less grit, and while not quite airy, they certainly are lighter. This is a song about coming to the end of the road in both life and relationships, while realizing that you are mostly responsible for the situation that you are in through the choices that you have made.



The more languid pace that was so evident on “4 Leaf Clove - Riveting Riffs

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http://www.cbc.ca/freshair/2010/01/marks_best_of_09.html - CBC

Wow! This is a debut? It's seems after just one listen that I've loved this album forever! Great songs, a passionate singer with a terrific band equals an album that can't be ignored! I can't believe these guys recorded this right under my nose in my hometown of Sarasota, and I didn't know about it. It's early, but this is now the best new album I've heard this year and it may be some time before anything better comes along!

Charly Lukhardt
WSLR-LPFM -SARASOTA FLORIDA - WSLR - Sarasota, Florida

Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters

Posted by Don Zelazny |

Missed this one last year, but better late…. The Spirit Ranch Sessions by Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters; now this disc I flat out love! Many things fall under our Americana umbrella, but this is my favorite combination of ingredients. Great songwriting, killer voice, and some great energetic music with an electric touch (and killer band name!) I love tons of great acoustic music, but there is just something about a plugged in electric guitar!

You may not have heard of this bunch, as they just got together in 2008 as “a family of travelin’ misfit, musical gypsies who always bring a party to town.” In their short existence the Toronto bunch have toured extensively across their native Canada playing what has been described as “Northern” Americana. (I like the term Canadiana better myself!) The band consists of Diana (Catherine) DiGiovanni) who wrote the tunes and provides lead vocals, guitars and harmonica; Matt Blackie, drums; Nic DiSanto, bass; and Kevin Robinson, guitars.

The disc is full of great lively stuff, no snoozers here. Highlights include the opener, Walk, as well as Travelin‘ Man, Sober (Is Too Hard to Stay) and 4 Leaf Clover. The glue that holds it all together is the powerful Sarah Borges type expressive voice of Diana. Diana and band remind me a bit of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Similarly, Diana is the face of the group but her band was certainly not an afterthought and she relies on them for stellar support. My rating: 5 Molsons!! - Americanaroots.com

Allison Brown, Sarah Burton, Diana Catherine
Ironwood Stage and Grill
Aug 16/09

During the break, Allison and I retired to the urban assault vehicle to chat, so that my Barbie Cub Reporter recorder would be able to record more than just those drunk guys over by the tv. When we returned, Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters were already wailing away on stage, stealing hearts with their ballsy bluesy sound.

As I often do at shows, especially those featuring emerging musicians, I bought a pile of cds at the Ironwood that night, but I regret only buying one copy of Diana Catherine's release, The Spirit Ranch Sessions, because I would love to send each of you a copy. It's that good. It's an album that even manages to capture some of the stage presence that Diana oozes. You may not be able to see that swagger on the disc, but you can sure hear it in her voice and in her insane attack on the harmonica.

My advice to you is if you get the chance to see any of these incredible musicians while they are touring the country, just do it. Better yet, see them all on one playbill. I guarantee you will have one memorable night to tuck away into your mental scrapbook, and I am willing to bet you'll have a few new cds as well. - BAD TEMPERED ZOMBIE

First off, I wanted to get the inside scoop on Diana Catherine and these Thrusty Tweeters—just who they are really? Well, if you’re going to go strictly by the definitions of thrust & tweeters then they would be a band pushing or driving their music with force through a small loudspeaker. The first part maybe correct, but the latter not so much. This Canadian group is definitely making a push forcefully, but there is nothing small or small-sounding about the new album, The Spirit Ranch Sessions.

This bunch of thrust-worthy, tweeter-heads is made up of: Diana Catherine on lead vocals, guitar & harmonica—Nic DiSanto on bass & backing vocals—Matt Blackie on drums, percussion & backing vocals—and Kevin Robinson on guitar. This record offers an array of musical genres from folk to southern rock to country to roots rock to straight rock to even elements of blues. I, myself, would label this album Rustic Rock because of its countryesque charm. The CD has a real down-on-the-range, country-prairie type vibe. The sound is very rootsy, rugged and earthy while also rockin’ at the same time.

One major factor on this new record is the voice of singer/songwriter, Diana Catherine. She sings with such passion and conviction through every line and note. Her heartfelt and soulful approach to singing is without a doubt one of the shining moments on the record. You can really feel her emotions just by the way she vocalizes on The Spirit Ranch Sessions. I also loved the kick-ass guitar solos that were simply just sweeet & thrusty!

Catherine adds a nice touch of the harmonica to some of these tracks. The harmonica playing really gives that train-keeps-a-rollin’ tone and perfectly matched up on the bluesy number, “Train Song”. One of my favorite tracks on the record is “Sober (is too hard to stay)” because of its fun, carefree attitude displayed by Catherine & company. The song offers some real cool energy that could even be coined as a rebel-rousing anthem with a joking punch. I’d dedicate this one to all you barflies out there who like to have a good time.

Overall, Diana Catherine and The Thrusting Tweeters are bringin’ the heat with this one. Turn up your tweeters and get ready to thrust full range ahead. For more on this Canadian foursome and their latest release, The Spirit Ranch Sessions, SKOPE out www.dianacatherine.com.

By Jimmy Rae

Rating: ★★★★☆ - SKOPE Magazine

CD Review: Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters - The Spirit Ranch Sessions

By: Sheena Lyonnais
September 15, 2009

Every woman has a little bit of country in her, which is why I am grateful for Diana Catherine and the Thrusty Tweeters debut album The Spirit Ranch Sessions. She harbours the female integrity of Shania Twain, but with a folkier, bluegrass feel and less pent up poppy sexuality. Recorded in Florida and produced by Bud Snyder (The Allman Brothers) and drummer Matt Blackie, the Spirit Ranch Sessions grabs harmonicas and charm by the horns and tosses them in a paddock with some old school blues influences and Stevie Nicks’ storytelling.

While the majority of the tracks have a chill vibe, Diana Catherine embraces a little bit of rockabilly flare in standouts “Walk,” “Sober (It’s Too Hard To Stay)” and “Lucinda.” In a city of rock’n’roll, I sometimes forget about the talented Toronto musicians who dare to experiment and defy conventions. This record puts me back to when I was 18 and I’d wear a torn mini skirt, a leopard print cowboy hat and use fake IDs to get into Nashville North (now West 7) to drink Whisky Sours just outside the town where I grew up.

This is a stylistic debut that is original and different yet manages to draw from notable classic influences such as Tom Petty. Lyrically, it is a ton of fun, though I admit when “Blueberry Eyes” mentions St. Clair West it kind of threw me off. Really, we have this kind of kickass country in Toronto? Don’t believe me? Give the Spirit Ranch Sessions a spin and it won’t be long before you grab your girlfriends and head to Dakota Tavern.

TTTT (out of 5)
- Toronto Music Scene-Sheena Lyonnais

"The album is frickin' great! "Walk" is especially wonderful. Best leadoff track I've heard in a long time, maybe all year..."
- Mark Rheaume, CBC Music Resources (Sep 09, 2009)
- Mark Rheaume, CBC Music Resources (Sep 09, 2009)

"Authentic Americana from a Canadian band. Diana Catherine and The Thrusty Tweeters are tight and full of southern flavor. I dare you to listen to "Long Road" and not think of John Mellencamp or Lynyrd Skynyrd"

Jason Lawrence - Sony Music Canada - Jason Lawrence