Christy & Emily

Christy Edwards and Emily Manzo, performing together as Christy & Emily, came together in early-2000s Brooklyn as a self-taught indie rocker and a classically trained pianist, shaping a brooding, spare, atmospheric mix of indie rock and alternative country-rock. Manzo had already studied at the Oberlin Conservatory and begun establishing herself in New York’s classical scene through her work with video artist Paul Rowley on an interpretation of John Cage’s pieces when she joined Edwards. Edwards, who grew up in California and learned guitar on her own, had previously performed with New York groups including L'il Fighters, the Totallys, and Brute Force both before and alongside the duo. Their twangy, slightly ragged style drew comparisons to the Velvet Underground, the Carter Family, and Galaxie 500, prompting an early signing with the rootsy, Brooklyn-based Social Registry label. The pair issued their debut album, Gueen's Head, in 2007.