This Australian duo, built around a creative core of Tom Kristensen (guitar) and Madeleine King (vocals), formed in 1995 after both partners had experienced varying degrees of success in other bands. As Kristensen told the press, ”We were sitting in our lounge playing songs together when a friend suggested we should get out and do them in public.” Writing principally in a melodic country blues vein, the group signed to MDS Records. In addition to Kristensen and King, the group featured other members Barry Turnbull (John Kennedy’s Love Gone Wrong, Widdershins), David Orwell (Golden Rough), Mandy Pearson (Craven Fops, The Jackson Code) and Richard Boxhall with each participant playing at least three different instruments. This helped lend Kristensen’s songs a crisp, eclectic sound quite unlike anything in their genre.
Their self-titled debut mini-album, produced by You Am I guitarist Tim Rogers, was voted album of the year by many Australian roots music critics. The album featured Amanda Brown (ex-Go Betweens) on violin and Chris Abrahams on keyboards. More albums followed: Fuel (1997), Jubilee Park (1999) and Greedy Hen (2002). The band held down a residency for several years at The Sandringham Hotel in Newtown and toured nationally. Mandy Pearson died in 2023.
Members
Barry Turnbull (guitar/bass), David Orwell (pedal steel/guitar/bass), Madeleine King (vocals/harmonica/bass), Mandy Pearson (vocals/drums), Tom Kristensen (vocals/dobro/guitar), Richard Boxhall (guitar),