It’s no real surprise that the Chapin Sisters—Abigail and Lily—ended up playing music professionally. They come from a impressive family of musicians, including their father (Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Tom Chapin), uncle (late singer/songwriter Harry “Cat’s In The Cradle” Chapin) and grandfather (late jazz drummer Jim Chapin). In 2008, Abigail and Lily, along with half-sister Jessica Craven (daughter of horror director Wes Craven), released their debut, Lake Bottom LP, which came on the heels of the success the trio garnered with their cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” Late last year, Craven left the band to care for her newborn daughter, so Abigail and Lily continued on as a duo, touring this summer as members of She & Him and, more importantly, recording their second Chapin Sisters album. Two (Lake Bottom) was cut at a family farm in New Jersey by Abigail and Lily with co-producers Jesse Lee (Gang Gang Dance) and Louie Stephens (Rooney), and it adds layers of electric guitars, keyboards, percussion and more to the duo’s patented acoustic, vocal-harmony-driven sound. The duo is currently in the middle of a U.S. tour supporting Two. The Chapin Sisters will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our Q&A with them.
Lily: Bill Fay‘s Time Of The Last Persecution is incredible from start to finish. Supposedly, it was inspired by the biblical books of Daniel and Revelations and in direct response to the killings at Kent State, though I didn’t know this when I first heard the record, and I think in some ways it takes away from the poetic majesty of the writing, which stands on its own as a haunting and enigmatic text. The subject matter is darker and moodier than other music from the psychedelic era, and the album was not well-received when it came out in 1971. Sometimes universal, sometimes hauntingly specific and strange, this is one of those records I come back to time and time again, and each time it seems to take me back in and grab me anew. The songs are all very intimate and stark, but there is a spiritual longing embedded in the lyrics and melodies. The production is sweeping, while Fay’s voice is sweet at times, raspy at others, and rich and deep when he sings low, seeming to get to the depths of the matter. “I Hear You Callin’” is one of the most beautiful songs.
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNDeDSgtpvk
