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Angus and Julia Stone, Chocolates And Cigarettes

by Lauren Hoessly
01/22/2008

Family members always seem to have the best luck with creating beautiful harmonies. Point in case: Angus and Julia Stone, Australian brother-sister duo. With penetrating lyrics and stunning voices, this family band has been releasing brilliant and unique EPs for the past few years.

Categorized as folk or alternative, Chocolates and Cigarettes, Angus and Julia’s first EP - conveniently located on iTunes - offers Angus’ mellow and melodic voice in contrast to Julia’s distinctive and steady voice. It is infused with the pair's individual style and obvious flair for a variety of instruments, including the trumpet, harmonica, guitar and piano. "Babylon" and "Mango Tree" are definite album standouts.

This first EP, revealing raw harmonies and thoughtful lyrics in their songwriting and recording, proves Angus and Julia’s talent. Their second and third EPs, Heart Full of Wine (2006), and The Beast (2007) confirm the Stones' places in an indie-songwriter airplane with fellow passengers like Sam Beam and Rogue Wave.

The Stones' newest album, A Book like This, continues to be inventive and informal. The group’s song, “Wasted,” tells like Julia’s heart spilling in her lover’s hands. The song's transparency is delicate yet powerful, relying on light but touching harmonies. Angus’ songs are acoustic and pitch perfect: playing by ear, Angus’ musical ability is incredibly matched with his sister’s harmony and instrumental talent. Julia’s lyrics are drenched in generous words about love. Both Angus and Julia write and sing their lyrics with passion almost akin to a blues album.

Being featured on Natalie Portman’s “Big Change” album for FINCA (an organization concerned with ending poverty through micro-financing), gave Angus and Julia’s single, “The Beast” an international appeal. With lyrics like, “They brand you with the fire and push you into the sun... they want everyone to be numb” and “kids trading roses for guns,” The Stones' music takes on a new and significant message. The song's amazing music video, which you can find on YouTube, is illustrated and quite beautiful.

The Stones' Myspace page features a picture of the ridiculously good-looking brother and sister with some sort of dingo, which makes them all the more awesome. Listening to the first EP, Chocolates and Cigarettes, offers the best grouping of each sibling’s music and also defines their future – a beautiful flight towards unique tunes telling stories of relationships and the world around us.