Chapin Sisters

Abigail and Lily were born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the Hudson Valley. They got their start at ages 6 and 8, lending their signature harmonies to their Grammy-winning father Tom Chapin's children's records, which led to them appearing on other children's records, including the Olsen Twins' "Brother for Sale" and "I Am the Cute One". They formed a band at the urging of Jessica’s filmmaker brother Jonathan Craven (the Chapins’ half-brother) who arranged for them to record at the home studio of Michael Fitzpatrick (Fitz and the Tantrums). Before they ever played a live show, a demo of their slow, acoustic version of Britney Spears's song "Toxic" gained attention and radio play around the country. Following their unexpected success, The Chapin Sisters started to play live concerts in Los Angeles, and began writing music together—songs that would eventually become Lake Bottom LP, their debut full-length album. == The Lake Bottom LP ==

In 2008, they released Lake Bottom LP on the Plain Recordings label. The album was featured in SPIN, The Los Angeles Times "Like Ms. Marshall, 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," and "their music blends the harmonies of traditional sister-acts with a modern lyrical sensibility." == 2010, the departure of Jessica, Oh Hear The Wind Blow and Two ==

In early 2010, Jessica took a "leave of absence" from the band to spend time with her newborn baby. Lily and Abigail, now a duo, set out as touring band members for the folk pop duo She & Him (M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel) singing back-up vocals and opening many of the shows as well. In April 2010, The Chapin Sisters released "Oh Hear the Wind Blow," a 5 song EP, recorded live in the studio with musician/engineer Dan Horne (Grateful Shred) on bass, and Aaron Sperske (Beachwood Sparks) on drums. On September 14, 2010, Abigail and Lily released their second full-length album "Two" on their own label, Lake Bottom Records. The album, produced by the sisters, along with Louie Stephens of Rooney and Jesse Lee of Gang Gang Dance, was featured in The New York Times and on NPR's Mountain Stage. == A Date with the Everly Brothers ==

In 2013, they released A Date With the Everly Brothers, which debuted at #2 on iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart and at #2 on Amazon's Folk Best Seller chart. The full-length album tribute to The Everly Brothers was produced by The Chapin Sisters and Evan Taylor and was featured in Wall Street Journal, Elle Magazine and NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon. == ''Today's Not Yesterday'' ==

In 2015, the band released ''Today's Not Yesterday'', the 12-song album was recorded in Los Angeles at Jonathan Wilson's Five Star studio with the help of Dan Horne and Jesse Lee. The album was featured in The Boston Globe and Popmatters. Their single "Angeleno" was featured as Today's Top Tune on LA's KCRW. == Ferry Boat ==

In 2018, they released Ferry Boat, a 5 song EP. Rolling Stone featured the single "Ferry Boat" on their Ten Best Country and Americana Songs of The Week The EP was produced by Evan Taylor and The Chapin Sisters. Popmatters premiered the music video for their second single "Bottle of Wine". == "Bergen Street," "All Through The Night," "Wasting Your Time" ==

In 2023 and 2024, The Chapin Sisters released three singles of new material. "Bergen Street," an ode to Brooklyn, premiered on KLOF magazine and was featured in The Bluegrass Situation. "All Through The Night," which was produced by Rusty Santos and featured Noah Kittenger (Bedroom), and was originally written as a lulliby to Abigail's eldest child, premiered on Popmatters and KCRW featured it as Today's Top Tune. "Wasting Your Time," an "anticapatalist love song," was produced by J.J. Blair and featured Benmont Tench (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers), on piano and Chad Cromwell, Neil Young's drummer, on drums. The song premiered on Americana UK and was featured in Relix. == Collaborations ==

In 2014, The Chapin Sisters lent their voices to a cover version of "Unchained Melody," on She & Him's cover album "Classics". That same year, along with Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul and Mary), and singer/songwriter Cass McCombs, they led ''The People's Climate March Bloc'' for the People's Climate March in New York. The Chapin Sisters and Cass McCombs have frequently collaborated. In 2018, as 'Cass McCombs and The Chapin Sisters', they released a cover of Fred Neil's song""The Dolphins". That same year, they recorded a cover of Woody Guthrie's "Deportee" for Songs for Swing Left, a compilation which raised awareness about the importance of voting. The album also included songs from Jackson Browne, The Nation's Matt Berninger, My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Warpaint and Andrew Bird. In 2020, The Chapin Sisters and classical pianist Lara Downes recorded a cover of "We Shall Overcome," for Downes's album of spirituals and freedom songs"Some of These Days." In 2022, they appeared, along with Haim's Danielle Haim, on "Belong to Heaven," Cass McComb's first single off his album "Heartmind." In 2023, they appeared on his children's album "Mr Greg & Cass McCombs Sing & Play New Folk Songs for Children" (Smithsonian Folkways). ==Discography==

Studio records Featured appearances & singles == References ==