+ SUPPORT FROM EMILY BARKER

The Waifs hail from western Australia and have crafted folk-rock to its finest. The band formed in 1992 by talented sisters, Vikki Thorn on harmonica, vocals and guitar, and Donna Simpson on guitar and vocals. With the addition of their friend Josh Cunningham Vocals & Guitar, their line-up became complete. With their sweetly melodic lyrics and laid-back instrumentation, The Waifs can easily be compared to The Weepies, Dar Williams, and Kris Delmhorst.

After a 2-year break, The Waifs returned to the spotlight and have toured with the likes of Keith Urban which followed with a national tour of their own. Their current release ‘ Sun Dirt Water’ earned the outfit a number 2 spot on the ARIA charts on the week of release, as well as numerous television appearances and magazine covers.

The band started out by gigging consistently in their hometown whilst devising a demo cassette. Once said tape was completed. The trio decided to re-locate to the Mecca of Australian music, Melbourne, and since, the band released a number of albums including: their 1996 debut ‘The Waifs’; ‘Shelter Me’ in 1998; and ‘Sink or Swim’ in 2000. Folk festivals across the United States and Canada have fallen in love with their sweet harmonies and self-described "whole meal" music. They have also shared the stage with such artists as Kasey Chambers and Michelle Shocked.

Their 2003 album, ‘Up all Night’ which once again captures their musical honesty, reached double platinum status in their native Australia, and a top 5 spot on the Australian album charts. The band also won 4 ARIA awards in October of 2003 and toured with much success. In fact, The Waifs impressed Bob Dylan so much when they supported his Australian Tour; he asked them to join him on his North American Tour that included the Newport Folk Festival.

A live retrospective, ‘A Brief History’, was another multi-platinum success in 2005. It was also a mini-hiatus of sorts, as Donna and Vikki concentrated on motherhood in their respective homes in Minnesota and Utah. After a final show in New York in August, Josh joined the band, Missy Higgins. Two years later, the band re-joined to work on their 2007 release of ‘Sun Dirt Water’ and have once again, taken to the road.

I guess every record signals a new phase," says Josh. "Our focus has shifted a lot in the last few years – not that we were ever hugely focused on our career as such; it was always just about playing music – but the band was always the biggest part of our lives. Now that the girls have got families and the like, music is something that we do in between times, rather than all the time. It really makes you appreciate what you have and what you do. It feels like a time of positivity. We're happy with the record we've made and we're looking forward to getting on the road and showing everyone what it's all about." The Waifs will stop at Manchester’s Club Academy on Monday 12th May.