Biography
Sydney pop duo Jess Dunbar and Matt Price, partners both personally and professionally, captured widespread attention during the 2015 edition of Australia’s X Factor. They placed third overall yet quickly secured a Sony contract that led to the release of their first album that same year. Raised in Sydney’s suburbs, the pair first crossed paths as students at the JMC Academy, where they began a relationship but initially pursued separate solo paths rather than collaborating musically. Dunbar explored indie folk on her own, drawing notice for her distinctive “maple syrup” tone and earning comparisons to Tori Amos and Feist, while Price developed a soulful indie-rock approach and, still in his early twenties, had already logged close to a thousand live performances. In 2014 the two began performing together at intimate Sydney venues before earning a spot on The X Factor the next year.
Although producers urged them to leverage their romance for viewer appeal, Dunbar and Price declined, voicing surprise that audiences would care about their private affairs. Focusing strictly on the music proved effective, turning them into audience favorites who advanced to the finale with their original composition “Nothing Matters.” The third-place finish did not prevent the Sony deal, and their first single for the label was the same piano-driven epic, whose sweeping pop style echoed Sara Bareilles. Their self-titled debut album appeared later in 2015 and consisted mainly of covers, following the typical X Factor pattern. The duo shifted further from their earlier indie leanings the following year with the electropop single “Bones.”
Although producers urged them to leverage their romance for viewer appeal, Dunbar and Price declined, voicing surprise that audiences would care about their private affairs. Focusing strictly on the music proved effective, turning them into audience favorites who advanced to the finale with their original composition “Nothing Matters.” The third-place finish did not prevent the Sony deal, and their first single for the label was the same piano-driven epic, whose sweeping pop style echoed Sara Bareilles. Their self-titled debut album appeared later in 2015 and consisted mainly of covers, following the typical X Factor pattern. The duo shifted further from their earlier indie leanings the following year with the electropop single “Bones.”
Albums
Singles
