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: Sammi Smith is one of those singers who makes me want to sit down and cry. Or stand up and sing. Or just drive down the highway with a cigarette and sigh as I leave town one last time. Other country singers have the whine (think Tammy Wynette), others have the class (Loretta Lynne) or the sass (Wanda Jackson), but Sammi has something else. She was one of the few women to have success in the outlaw-country movement of the ’70s, thanks in large part to Help Me Make it Through The Night, which is simply amazing. Her vocals are honest, heartbreaking and full, the production is great. The title track was a number-one single (written by Kris Kristofferson), but the whole record is stacked with incredible tunes. Check out “Saunder’s Ferry Lane” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”
Videos after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFomOCT71L4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNRzzHtUNi4
