Brave Irene

Rose Melberg, the indie pop legend known for Tiger Trap, the Softies, Go Sailor, and many fine solo albums, established Brave Irene toward the end of 2009. Drawn together from companions in Vancouver, the city she had come to call home, the five-piece ensemble found inspiration in the swirling pop of New Zealand and the Flying Nun label. Melberg handled guitar and vocals, Caitlin Gilroy played keyboards, guitar, tambourine, and vocals, Jessica Wilkin supplied organ, Amanda Pezzutto took bass and vocals, and Laura Hatfield sat behind the drums; together they tracked their self-titled debut EP with producer John Collins at JC/DC Studios. Slumberland released the EP in March 2011, revealing Melberg in fine songwriting form and the band as ideal support for her wonderful voice. After the sessions ended the group splintered, Hatfield moving to Sweden for school and Wilkin decamping to India, which left the prospects for Brave Irene continuing as a unit in doubt.