Photo copyright by Charlotte Fiorito wearefamilyphoto.com

Sister was formed in November 1997 by neophyte DJs Annie Shaw (XJS), Kristin Vincent (Siren) and Linzee Butta (MC Linzee), with established DJs Polywog and Charlotte the Baroness lending their star power.

The idea behind Sister is to showcase female DJs and provide a supportive, knowledge-sharing platform for up and coming DJs and MCs to perform.

Sister is the continuation of an itinerant women's collective that ran from 1993 to 1995 called Your Sisters' House, While DJs were definitely a focus of YSH, social activism, inspiration and the celebration of woman as powerful creative beings were equally important - part of their belief was that all aspects of throwing an event could be managed by women. This is just one of the ethics Sister also holds true. Liz Roberts, the Baroness, DRC, Polywog, Shana Kleyman, Susan 28 and Dani were among the people actively involved in YSH.

While Sister is not the same as YSH, some of the original members of YSH perpetuate the spirit of that club within Sister, and the new generation of performers brought their influences to play to create a whole new thing... We named Sister as a nod to YSH, and mention them here to show respect for their work in paving the way for Sister to have become as successful as it has.

Current residents are DJs Polywog, Amber, Melyss, Samira, Forest Green, Queen Agnes B, Seraphim and J-Fi, with MC Audio Angel on the mic. Also, Sisters' intern policy continues to welcome new DJs to the crew - this year Carolyn and J-Fi joined us: J-Fi went on to become a resident and we really appreciated Carolyn's tireless work and enthusiasm while she was with us.

Our web site gets well over 11,000 unique visitors per month and has become a vast and celebrated resource for male and female DJs alike, where advice and support, tips and tricks, free contracts and discussion forums are always available.

Not content to provide support to the DJing community alone, Sister has performed at, and produced, events that have generated donations to charities including Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, San Francisco Late Night Coalition, Breast Cancer Action and Planned Parenthood.

Sister has expanded to include crews in New York and Portland, with new crews in cities across America and the world waiting for their turn to join the family.

(Photo above shows the current cast of members: Top row, L-R: Forest Green, Melyss, Samira. Middle row: Audio Angel, Carolyn, Amber, XJS. Bottom row: J-Fi, Queen Agnes B, Seraphim. Not shown: Polywog)