by Meaghan Paulosky
It may seem as if beautiful, well-written music should just come naturally to the Chapin Sisters. The sisters, Abigail and Lily, were practically born into it. As children, they were able to play music with their uncles and dad who just so happened to be professional musicians (ever hear of Grammy-winning Tom Chapin? Yeah, he’s their dad). After two studio albums and a tour with She & Him, though, it’s pretty clear they’re not just relying on good genes.
The signature of a Chapin Sisters song is the perfectly arranged and executed harmonies. Each song on their growing collection of albums seems to taunt you with how strong their voices are individually then absolutely obliterate you when they harmonize. It’s so delicate, yet so precise, that you’re ashamed of what you call your best shower singing.
It’s their sister relationship that makes this sort of remarkable synchronization possible. Says Lily, “[Abigail] brings things out of me that I wouldn’t find otherwise. [We] know each other better than anyone else and can speak without words in a way that only sisters can.” Having this special working relationship has a caveat. Lily shares the importance of knowing how to separate work with their personal relationship with each other. “Drawing arbitrary lines in the sand become sacred. Being onstage is a different world from when we hang out.”
And this system is clearly working. They began in 2004 and put out their first record in 2008. Since then, they’ve adapted and experimented with their sound, while always maintaining vocal strength. “We’ve gone through phases evolving as singers. We started as a trio, three part driven… Now we made our first record as a duo and explored the ideas of authorship, layering a lot of vocals.” Their sound has gone through everything from 60s pop, country, to R&B influence, and a noteworthy cover of ‘Toxic’ originally by Britney Spears.
Most recently they’ve completed an album of Everly Brothers covers. These covers and more can be heard at their weekly show at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn every Thursday in January. In addition, you’ll be able to hear a collection of their favorite honky-tonk, blues, folk, rockabilly, and crooner pop songs from sibling singers of past. And if you simply can’t get enough of them, the pair will soon be back in the studio to work on another full-length album.
