Housewarming

With sweet three-part harmonies and instrumental chops to burn, Melbourne's Mae Trio have become a favourite on the Aussie folk scene in recent times, and are also starting to make inroads across the big water. Made up of sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby – who began performing as teenagers with their Australian folkie parents Jane Thompson and James Rigby in the family band The Rainmakers – the trio is completed by cellist/bassist Anita Hillman. Citing influences as diverse as Kate Rusby, Gillian Welch and Joni Mitchell, the young group are all still in their early 20s; they won the 2013 Folk Alliance Australia Youth Award. Housewarming is their debut album, and was originally released in 2013, produced by Shooglenifty mandolin wiz Luke Plumb, who also plays guitar, organ and mandolin on this recording. The Aussie/Scots/Celtic vibe sits easily and delightfully throughout, with additional percussive contributions from guesting Shooglenifty drummer James Mackintosh. The sisters swap ukulele roles on various tracks, with Elsie also displaying her fiddling talent and Maggie adding some tasty banjo.

It's difficult to choose standout tracks from this album, as it works best when heard as a whole, but the title-track is a must, as are the reflective ‘Back to the Shore’, Hillman's only composition ‘Yours for the Keeping’ and the lovely closing a capella version of Kate Rusby's ‘Lately’. Definitely a trio to keep an eye and an ear (or two) out for.