Chapin Sisters
Encyclopedia
The Chapin Sisters are an American folk pop musical group consisting of sisters Abigail Chapin and Lily Chapin, and formerly their half-sister Jessica Craven. Abigail and Lily are daughters of folk singer Tom Chapin
and nieces of the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin
. Their half-sister Jessica Craven's father is director Wes Craven
.
, but in 2004 all three had relocated to Los Angeles
that they began their band, at the urging of their half-brother Jonathan Craven
. Before they had ever played a show together or considered themselves a band, their slow, acoustic version of Britney Spears
' song "Toxic" gained attention and radio play around the country.
records, but was soon placed on compact disc
.
Many of the music critics were positive, as "they haunt the interstices of folk, pop, and blues, and play seductive games with the knife-edge of heartache. Their soft harmonies and dark sidelong lyrics fit perfectly into a new folk aesthetic that is more twisted than freaky." according to popmatters.com, and "their music blends the harmonies of traditional sister-acts with a modern lyrical sensibility." FLAVORPILL of San Francisco wrote "The one virtue the Chapin Sisters shares with classic sister acts of old becomes apparent when they sing together: that shiver of spotless, familial unity that makes every syllable woundingly poignant."
, consisting of M. Ward
and actress Zooey Deschanel
, singing back-up vocals, and opening many of the shows as well.
On September 14, 2010, Abigail and Lily released their second full-length album "Two" on their own label, Lake Bottom Records. It was co-produced by Louie Stephens of Rooney
and Jesse Lee of Gang Gang Dance
.
Tom Chapin
Tom Chapin is a Grammy Award-winning American musician, entertainer, singer-songwriter and storyteller.-Biography:Chapin attended State University of New York at Plattsburgh and graduated in 1966. From 1971-1976, he hosted a TV show called Make a Wish...
and nieces of the late singer-songwriter Harry Chapin
Harry Chapin
Harry Forster Chapin was an American singer-songwriter best known in particular for his folk rock songs including "Taxi", "W*O*L*D", and the number-one hit "Cat's in the Cradle". Chapin was also a dedicated humanitarian who fought to end world hunger; he was a key player in the creation of the...
. Their half-sister Jessica Craven's father is director Wes Craven
Wes Craven
Wesley Earl "Wes" Craven is an American actor, film director, writer, producer, perhaps best known as the director of many horror films, particularly slasher films, including the famed A Nightmare on Elm Street and Wes Craven's New Nightmare, featuring the iconic Freddy Krueger character, the...
.
Early career
The sisters grew up in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, but in 2004 all three had relocated to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
that they began their band, at the urging of their half-brother Jonathan Craven
Jonathan Craven
Jonathan Craven , son of renowned horror director Wes Craven and ex-wife Bonnie Broecker , is a writer and director with a number of credits to his name. Aside from his lineage, he is probably most noteworthy for his co-writing credit on The Hills Have Eyes 2 and his work on the short-lived NBC...
. Before they had ever played a show together or considered themselves a band, their slow, acoustic version of Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
' song "Toxic" gained attention and radio play around the country.
The Lake Bottom LP
Spurred by the sudden interest in their singing abilities, they put a collection of songs and on March 18, 2008 they released their debut full-length album Lake Bottom LP on the Plain Recordings label. Initially it only released on vinylGramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
records, but was soon placed on compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
.
Many of the music critics were positive, as "they haunt the interstices of folk, pop, and blues, and play seductive games with the knife-edge of heartache. Their soft harmonies and dark sidelong lyrics fit perfectly into a new folk aesthetic that is more twisted than freaky." according to popmatters.com, and "their music blends the harmonies of traditional sister-acts with a modern lyrical sensibility." FLAVORPILL of San Francisco wrote "The one virtue the Chapin Sisters shares with classic sister acts of old becomes apparent when they sing together: that shiver of spotless, familial unity that makes every syllable woundingly poignant."
2010, the departure of Jessica, and 'Two'
In early 2010 Jessica took a "leave of absence" and left the band to spend time with her newborn baby, and Lily and Abigail, now a duo, set out on tour with the folk pop duo She & HimShe & Him
She & Him is an American indie pop duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward . The band's first album, Volume One, was released on Merge Records in March 2008...
, consisting of M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
and actress Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Deschanel
Zooey Claire Deschanel is an American actress, musician, and singer-songwriter. In 1999, Deschanel made her film debut in Mumford, followed by her breakout role as young protagonist William Miller's troubled older sister Anita in Cameron Crowe's 2000 semi-autobiographical film Almost Famous...
, singing back-up vocals, and opening many of the shows as well.
On September 14, 2010, Abigail and Lily released their second full-length album "Two" on their own label, Lake Bottom Records. It was co-produced by Louie Stephens of Rooney
Rooney (band)
Rooney is an American rock band from Los Angeles, currently self-produced and formerly signed to Geffen Records. The band is now composed of Robert Schwartzman , Louie Stephens , Taylor Locke , Ned Brower , and Brandon Schwartzel...
and Jesse Lee of Gang Gang Dance
Gang Gang Dance
Gang Gang Dance is an American experimental music band based in Manhattan, New York City. The band is known for its distinctive sound which features synthesized electronics and percussion, plus the varied vocal styles of singer Lizzi Bougatsos...
.
External links
- The Chapin Sisters official web site
- The Chapin Sisters EP (CD)
- The Chapin Sisters/Winter Flowers split LP
- MySpace page
- http://thechapinsisters.com/site/index.php?/ongoing/bio/