Chrissy Dzioba

Honing their skills around the Milwaukee music scene, Blonde On Blonde’s music reaches out to listeners as a potpourri of folk, rock, pop, jazz, and country. Most noted for their tight harmonies, this acoustic duo brings guitar, keyboard and mandolin to a mix of originals and covers. Blonde On Blonde also performs with their Man Band for a fuller, more rockin’ sound.

Chrissy Dzioba (Joe-buh) began piano training and performance at the age of three, reading music before she could read words. As a music major in college, Chrissy focused on classical piano as well as saxophone, but continued to write songs on guitar and mandolin. She soon began performing weekly as a solo artist around Wisconsin. She writes catchy melodies containing lyrics that are direct, yet introspective. With two albums under her name, In the Making (1999), and the nationally distributed Far From Dreaming (2001 – produced by Joe Puerta), she was ready to move on to the next level of playing and performance. In 2008, Chrissy was nominated for WAMI Female Vocalist of the Year.

While teaching piano and guitar at a music store, Chrissy befriended the girl behind the counter, Jess Hrobar. Over the years, they had known of each other through their mutual jazz piano teacher, and it wasn’t until 2004 that they met face to face and a friendship immediately formed.

Jessica Hrobar began her career at age fourteen as a church organist. One year later she began hitting the local pubs playing blues and folk on saxophone in her father’s group, “The John and Rich Show.” While keeping up with church gigs and late night blues sessions, Jess began studying jazz piano with Carl Mussmann, an established player based in Bay View. Working with Mussmann changed Jess’ direction, musically speaking, and at age 18 she began to play jazz and lounge piano in restaurants and private parties. Her career began to evolve as she became involved in rock/jam bands, North Country Fever and Litmus Vinyl.

It only made sense to combine their talents into a two woman power folk duo – Blonde On Blonde.

Blonde On Blonde plays regularly at venues such as Paddy’s, The Mosaic, Seven Seas, Allegro, and other Milwaukee area bars and restaurants. Recently adding an electric, full band experience, they’ve been joined by Brandon Mathieus on guitar, Peter Carlson on bass, and Brandon Lorenz on drums. Blonde On Blonde and the Man Band play at Points East, BBC, Linneman’s, and the Up & Under. Covers include classic rock tunes such as Beatles and Led Zeppelin, top forty artists such as KT Tunstall, and the more eclectic artists such as Tori Amos and Dresden Dolls. With a slew of originals, Blonde On Blonde released their first album, Folk N’ Soul in February of 2008.