It all started in Mamma’s belly for The Brooks Sisters, Caroline and Katherine. There is no denying that these two ladies were born into music, songwriting, and performing.
Raised by two very musical parents in Whitby, Ontario, the girls grew up falling asleep inside guitar cases and heading out on the road with their family band Brookfield to local folk festivals and clubs. In 2002, after years of singing backup for their parents, Caroline and Katherine decided to start performing their originals as a folk-pop duo. They settled on the name The Brooks Sisters, paying homage to their family roots and folk traditions.
The girls then spent a few years polishing their live act and writing originals reflective of their experiences, their disappointments, their lost causes, their broken hearts, their new loves, and their favourite greenspaces. They developed their “playful and airy sound” in University dorm rooms, on European street corners, in Provincial Parks, and most often in their parent’s Carport.
In the spring of 2005, with the friendship and production of Graeme Cornies and financial assistance from FACTOR, The Brooks Sisters released their freshman album, The Carport Sessions. The album was a huge success for the sisters, and helped them meet some amazing new people and land some great shows. Their album, songwriting and vocals have been described as “soulful folk-pop”, and “clear and pure with an innocence that’s refreshing”. Since releasing the album, Katherine and Caroline have headlined at various clubs across Ontario, Hugh’s Room in Toronto, the Vital Spark in Brooklin ON, Windsor Folk, Greenbank Folk Society, and Barrie Folk Festival to name a few.
Katherine welcomed her first child in December 2006, to the great delight of her entire family. As she settles into her new role as a mom, she and Caroline have begun production of their second album with their good friend Scott Cooper (MoFo Lab).
You can expect to see the little one at upcoming live shows, perhaps falling asleep in Caroline’s guitar case. They hope that you’ll come meet him, and listen to a few songs.
Some Reviews of The Carport Sessions:
“"For lovers of pure and soulful pop/folk, this CD is akin to finding a giant keg of chilled Molson."
- Indie-Music.com
THE CARPORT SESSIONS positively overflows with soaring harmonies and vivid imagery, bringing a refreshingly unique artistry to the table that flies in the face of most debut recordings.
-Rismix Live
“Akin to Dala or the Wreckers, Katherine and Caroline share lead vocals and often sing simultaneously for that classic folk sound. And that’s the charm of The Carport Sessions: It’s not trying too hard, and it’s not too serious. With their playful and airy sound, the Brooks Sisters will no doubt do well in the Folk Fest scene, and if it should be, beyond.”
Soulshine Magazine
"These ladies have burst on to the scene in a big way.this one's an A++!"
-Jim Marino, Freewheelin’ Folk Show, 93.3 CFMU
"Fresh and stunning.THE CARPORT SESSIONS positively overflows with soaring harmonies and vivid imagery, bringing a refreshingly unique artistry to the table that flies in the face of most debut recordings."
-Shael Risman, Rismix Live – Totally Folked up Radio
