In case you’ve somehow missed our oodles of coverage through the years, SistaStrings—which consists of classically-trained siblings Monique and Chauntee Ross—had been a fixture in Milwaukee music for the better part of the past decade before relocating to Nashville a few years ago. Since then, the Ross sisters have quickly found their careers reaching unimaginable heights.
In recent years, they’ve played arenas and massive music festivals all over North America while supporting world-renowned talents like Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, and Jason Isbell. Along the way, they’ve performed with Joni Mitchell at the Grammys, played late night talk shows and SNL, shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli during the Oscars, and released a dual album with Peter Mulvey on Ani DiFranco’s label. At this point, pretty much the only thing the Milwaukee ex-pats haven’t done is play with, like, Metallica or something. Oh wait, they actually just did that too.
On December 13, SistaStrings had the opportunity to open for the legendary metal band at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles as part of a benefit show that also featured Sammy Hagar. But there’s more! The Ross sisters didn’t just get to perform on the same bill as Metallica. They also played part of the headliner’s set with them!
For the last two songs of Metallica’s stripped-down acoustic set, SistaStrings came on stage to add some string accompaniment to “If Darkness Had A Son” and “Nothing Else Matters.” According to SistaStrings, the full show (which was a benefit for Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation) will premiere on YouTube on Thursday, December 19.
As you wait for that career-defining show to be posted in full, feel free to watch SistaStrings’ installment of our “Public Domain” music video series.