Music Scene
The women of Zoey's Trip rock to the vibes of life

By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer

"I speak without reservation from what I know and who I am." — Ani DiFranco, songwriter/performer

Zoey's Trip – pictured are Deblyn Palella and Connie Misen - is ready to rock the Hard Rock Cafe tomorrow night. Zoey's Trip With Missing Dave • 9 p.m. Saturday • Hard Rock Cafe, 1837 Kapi'olani Blvd. • $5 • 955-7383 or www.zoeystrip.com • All ages welcome

But they all share its meaning: A fervor for life.

"Zoey's the Greek word for life," explained vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player Deblyn Palella, 30, during a speaker-phone conversation with the band from Long Beach, Calif. "So it's 'Life's Trip.' It's a trip everyone should be on."

It's a kick-ass attitude that has gotten the band to where it is today, basking in rave reviews about its sophomore album "Crowning" and gearing up for a possible world tour to promote it.

"'Crowning' sort of meant breaking through with all three of us," said rhythm guitarist/vocalist Connie Misen, 33. "This is really the cherry on top of the sundae to work with these wonderful women all together and to add music. It was the crowning glory for me."

The alterna-rock trio will launch its tour Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe.

And for fans of live shows, this is one not to miss, as critics have praised the band for its high-energy, crowd-pleasing live performances.

"People really like our live performances," confirmed 34-year-old drummer Dana Martin. "We have a good time."

"It's unpredictable," added Palella.

Part of their music is the experience of it. And live shows give the band the opportunity to charge the lyrics and sounds with in-your-face emotion.

And their fans appreciate that.

"They're extremely emotional," Misen said, with Martin quickly adding, "I guess we'd have to call them open-minded, music-loving, fun people."

Critics have compared their sound to the likes of Janis Joplin, Ani DiFranco and Melissa Etheridge, a rock vibe laced with a folk feel.

"I think we're straight-ahead rock," Misen said firmly. "I love all those connotations to those singers, those are great compliments. But I think people tend to think of us that way because we're all women and we sing. But we're a sound unto ourselves."

Added Palella: "It's kind of a cross between Kurt Cobain and The Carpenters."

"That's really good," Martin responded with a laugh.

Sometimes dark, often beautiful, Zoey's Trip's distinct vocals and funky sound are delivered with the technical precision only a band that's been together for two straight years can achieve. They take their cues from '70s music, Joplin's loose rock and more contemporary punky, edgy bands such as the Violent Femmes.

Their second album is a little more edgy than their debut, which, in their words, seemed a bit Lilith Fair.

"This is a lot more rock with a harder edge," Palella said.

What they wanted to capture with this album was that live energy they're known for in Southern California.

"It was deadly important," Palella said. "Paramount. That's one of our greatest assets. We haven't been able to capture it, but this is close."

And while they're in town, they plan to capture something else: waves.

Both Palella and Misen are avid surfers, hitting the beach whenever their schedules permit. Which isn't easy when the band practices at least four times a week, playing three to four shows a week.

Martin, however, isn't going near the water.

"I've made a small attempt, and after a brief skirt with death, I chose that to be my last," she said. "I'm a sand-grazer ... Deblyn was in triathlons, Connie's the surfer girl. And I was like, 'I can make you a drink after that strenuous workout.' I'm a bad influence."