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The Chapin Sisters
The Chapin Sisters share a microphone during a live performance
The Chapin Sisters, Lily and Abigail (right), perform at Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn in 2013
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresFolk, psychedelic, pop
Years active2004–present
LabelsLake Bottom, Manimal, Loantaka, Plain
MembersAbigail Chapin
Lily Chapin
Past membersJessica Craven
Websitethechapinsisters.com

The Chapin Sisters are an American Folk Pop harmony duo from Brooklyn, New York. The band consists of sisters Abigail and Lily Chapin, and formerly their half-sister Jessica Craven. Known for their blood harmonies, their sound blurs the lines between old-time Appalachian music, Americana, classic country-rock and pop.[1]

They have toured throughout the U.S. and the U.K.[2] and have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, Elle Magazine, Popmatters, NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon, American Songwriter, Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe,The Los Angeles Times, NYT's T Magazine, Washington Post.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Early life

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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,[11] which led to them appearing on other children's records, including the Olsen Twins' "Brother for Sale" and "I Am the Cute One".[1] They frequently appeared onstage with members of their family, including cousin singer/songwriter Jen Chapin and their half-sister Jessica Craven, whose father was the late director Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream); at benefit and tribute concerts honoring their uncle,[11] the late folk icon and activist Harry Chapin, best known for his #1 hit "Cats in the Cradle."

By 2004, Abigail, Lily, and Jessica had relocated to Los Angeles, where Lily Chapin was working on a film directed by Barbara Kopple.[12] 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.[13][14] 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.[15][16]

The Lake Bottom LP

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In 2008, they released Lake Bottom LP on the Plain Recordings label. The album was featured in SPIN,[17][18] The Los Angeles Times [19]and Popmatters, who compared them to labelmate Cat Power, [20][21] "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

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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.[22]

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.[23] Their single "Diggin A Hole" was featured as Today's Top Tune on KCRW.[24]

On September 14, 2010, Abigail and Lily released their second full-length album "Two" on their own label, Lake Bottom Records.[25][26][27][28] The album, produced by the sisters, along with Louie Stephens of Rooney and Jesse Lee of Gang Gang Dance,[29] was featured in The New York Times[30] and on NPR's Mountain Stage.[31]

A Date with the Everly Brothers

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In 2013, they released A Date With the Everly Brothers, which debuted at #2 on iTunes Singer/Sonwriter chart and at #2 on Amazon's Folk Best Seller chart. The full-length album tribute to The Everly Brothers was also featured in Wall Street Journal,[32] Elle Magazine[33] and on NPR's Mountain Stage[34] and NPR's Weekend Edition with Scott Simon.[35][36][37]

Today's Not Yesterday

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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.[38][39]The album was featured in The Boston Globe[40] and Popmatters.[41] Their single "Angeleno" was featured as Today's Top Tune on LA's KCRW.

Ferry Boat

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In 2018, they released Ferry Boat, a 5 song EP. Rolling Stone featured the single "Ferry Boat" on their Ten Best County and Americana Songs of The Week[42] and KCRW featured it on Today's Top Tune.[43] Popmatters premiered the music video for their second single "Bottle of Wine".[44]

Collaborations

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In 2014, The Chapin Sisters lent their voices to a cover version of "Unchained Melody," on She & Him's cover album "Classics". [45][46][47][48] 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.[49][50]

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"[51][52]. 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.[53][54]

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."[55][56][57]

In 2022, they appeared, along with Haim's Danielle Haim, on "Belong to Heaven," Cass McComb's first single off his album "Heartmind." [58][59][60][61] In 2023, they appeared on his children's album "Mr Greg & Cass McCombs Sing & Play New Folk Songs for Children" (Smithsonian Folkways).[62]

Discography

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Studio records

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Year Album Label Peak chart positions
Heatseekers
2004 The Chapin Sisters Sing the Chapin Brothers Sundance Music —
2005 The Chapin Sisters EP Lake Bottom Records —
2007 The Chapin Sisters/The Winter Flowers: Split LP Manimal Vinyl —
2008 Lake Bottom LP Plain Recordings/Lake Bottom Records —
2010 Two Lake Bottom Records —
Oh, Hear the Wind Blow Lake Bottom Records —
2013 A Date with the Everly Brothers Lake Bottom Records 14
2015 Today's Not Yesterday Lake Bottom Records —
2018 Ferry Boat EP Loantaka Records —
[edit]
Year Song Album With Artist
2007 "Borderline" Through The Wilderness: A Tribute To Madonna The Chapin Sisters
2008 "Vagabonds", "Omaha Nights", "Blue Grass", "To Die a Happy Man," "We'll Get By" "She Only Calls Me on Sunday," "I Wanna Get High." "Vagabonds" Gary Louris
2014 "Unchained Melody" Classics She & Him
2018 "The Dolphins" Single[63] Cass McCombs
2020 "We Shall Overcome" Some of These Days Lara Downes & Friends
2022 "Belong To Heaven" Single Cass McCombs
2023 "I'm a Nocturnal Animal" Mr Greg & Cass McCombs Sing & Play New Folk Songs For Children Mr. Greg & Cass McCombs
2023 "Bergen Street" Single The Chapin Sisters
2023 "All Through The Night" Single The Chapin Sisters
2024 "Sweet Ella Jenkins" Single Mr. Greg ft. The Chapin Sisters
2024 "Wasting Your Time" Single The Chapin Sisters

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Chapin Sisters | SPIN". May 28, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  2. ^ "The Chapin Sisters UK Tour 2022". KLOF Mag. July 15, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  3. ^ Waterman, Lauren (April 16, 2013). "Sister Act | Chapin Sisters". T Magazine. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  4. ^ Caramanica, Jon (August 3, 2010). "That Old-Timey Sound (It's Good Enough for Them)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  5. ^ Scannell, Jon Freeman,Joseph Hudak,Sara (May 18, 2018). "10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week: Sam Hunt, Clare Dunn". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 27, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ "The Chapin Sisters - 'Today's Not Yesterday' (album stream) (premiere) » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. October 16, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Staff, N. P. R. (April 27, 2013). "The Chapin Sisters Reconsider The Everly Brothers". NPR. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  8. ^ Zollo, Paul (April 12, 2020). "Tom Chapin & The Chapin Sisters Create a Daily "Shout Out for Shut-Ins"". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  9. ^ "Listen Up: The Chapin Sisters". ELLE. March 5, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  10. ^ Farrar, Frank; Bronson, Kevin (March 13, 2008). "BUZZ BANDS". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  11. ^ a b Hendrickson, Tad. "A Lifetime of Harmonies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  12. ^ Indiewire. "Kopple and the Women of Woods Hole Film Festival". Indiewire. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  13. ^ "The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers". Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  14. ^ "The Chapin Sisters - Artist Profile". eventseeker.com. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  15. ^ "PAPERMAG: Beautiful People 2006: The Chapin Sisters". www.papermag.com. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
  16. ^ N; P; R (September 15, 2011). "The Chapin Sisters On Mountain Stage". NPR. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  17. ^ Petrusich, Amanda (May 15, 2008). "The Chapin Sisters, 'Lake Bottom LP' (Plain Recordings)". SPIN. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  18. ^ Wood, Mikael (May 28, 2008). "The Chapin Sisters". SPIN. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  19. ^ Farrar, Frank; Bronson, Kevin (March 13, 2008). "BUZZ BANDS". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  20. ^ "The Chapin Sisters: Lake Bottom, PopMatters". April 28, 2008.
  21. ^ "The Chapin Sisters: Lake Bottom » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. April 28, 2008. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  22. ^ "Chapin Sisters: Not Your Father's Folk". PBS News. July 14, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  23. ^ "Chapin Sisters: Not Your Father's Folk". PBS News. July 14, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  24. ^ "The Chapin Sisters: Digging a Hole | Today's Top Tune". KCRW. July 14, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  25. ^ N; P; R (September 15, 2011). "The Chapin Sisters On Mountain Stage". NPR. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  26. ^ Chiu • •, David (October 7, 2010). "The Chapin Sisters Return Home to Brooklyn". NBC New York. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  27. ^ "Chapin Sisters: Not Your Father's Folk". PBS News. July 14, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  28. ^ Sentinel, Wallace Baine | Santa Cruz (December 2, 2010). "The Chapin Sisters living up to their family name". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  29. ^ "Q&A with The Chapin Sisters". Magnet Magazine. November 8, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  30. ^ Caramanica, Jon (August 3, 2010). "That Old-Timey Sound (It's Good Enough for Them)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  31. ^ N; P; R (September 15, 2011). "The Chapin Sisters On Mountain Stage". NPR. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  32. ^ Hendrickson, Tad (January 17, 2013). "A Lifetime of Harmonies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  33. ^ "Listen Up: The Chapin Sisters". ELLE. March 5, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  34. ^ N; P; R (April 24, 2013). "The Chapin Sisters On Mountain Stage". NPR. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  35. ^ Staff, N. P. R. (April 27, 2013). "The Chapin Sisters Reconsider The Everly Brothers". NPR. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  36. ^ Anderl, Timothy (October 12, 2015). "From The Horse's Mouth: Abigail Chapin (The Chapin Sisters) on Today's Not Yesterday". Ghettoblaster Magazine. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  37. ^ "The Chapin Sisters | WFUV". wfuv.org. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  38. ^ "Today's Not Yesterday on Kickstarter". Kickstarter. September 21, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  39. ^ "Chapin Sisters: Today's Not Yesterday » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. November 9, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  40. ^ Comments, View. "The Chapin Sisters, 'Today's Not Yesterday' - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  41. ^ "The Chapin Sisters - 'Today's Not Yesterday' (album stream) (premiere) » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. October 16, 2015. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  42. ^ Scannell, Jon Freeman,Joseph Hudak,Sara (May 18, 2018). "10 Best Country and Americana Songs of the Week: Sam Hunt, Clare Dunn". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 27, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  43. ^ "The Chapin Sisters: Ferry Boat | Today's Top Tune". KCRW. May 4, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  44. ^ "The Chapin Sisters Lament a Damaged Relationship on "Bottle of Wine" (premiere) » PopMatters". www.popmatters.com. August 30, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  45. ^ Bauder, David. "She & Him: Duo's classic sound". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  46. ^ News, A. B. C. "Music Reviews: The Latest From She & Him, Wu-Tang Clan, AC/DC, Mary J. Blige and More". ABC News. Retrieved June 29, 2025. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  47. ^ Hilleary, Mike. "She & Him Share More Details of "Classics"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  48. ^ "Album Review: She & Him - Classics". DrownedInSound. December 1, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  49. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (September 18, 2014). "Cass McCombs Writes Song for People's Climate March, Leads Group of Musician Marchers". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  50. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (September 18, 2014). "Cass McCombs Writes Song for People's Climate March, Leads Group of Musician Marchers". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  51. ^ "Cass McCombs & The Chapin Sisters – "Dolphins" (Fred Neil Cover)". Stereogum. October 1, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  52. ^ Staff, BrooklynVegan. "12 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  53. ^ Sodomsky, Sam (October 24, 2018). "The National's Matt Berninger, Kurt Vile, More on New Swing Left Benefit Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  54. ^ Daly, Rhian (October 24, 2018). "The National's Matt Berninger, Kurt Vile, Warpaint, and more to feature on new voting awareness compilation". NME. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  55. ^ "Lara Downes Explores the Many Resonances in Roots Music". www.sfcv.org. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  56. ^ "Pianist Lara Downes' Special Gift From Her Mom". WRTI. May 6, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  57. ^ "A Classical and Jazz Tribute Honoring the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on WRTI". WRTI. January 15, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  58. ^ "Cass McCombs Shares New Single \"Belong To Heaven\": Listen". Stereogum. April 26, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  59. ^ Potter, Jordan (April 27, 2022). "Cass McCombs shares new single 'Belong to Heaven'". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  60. ^ Arnone, Joey. "Cass McCombs Shares New Single "Belong to Heaven"". Under the Radar Magazine. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  61. ^ Sodomsky, Sam. "Cass McCombs: Heartmind". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  62. ^ Sing & Play New Folk Songs for Children - Mr. ... | AllMusic, retrieved June 28, 2025
  63. ^ "Cass McCombs & The Chapin Sisters – "Dolphins" (Fred Neil Cover) | Stereogum". October 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
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