Back in the Spring of 2001, when the world was descending into chaos, there was this neat little hang-out that Art students from the Gold Coast would frequent on a Friday night. Called the ARC, it was at best a ramshackle yet cosy establishment where beer was served straight from an esky and the furnishings were pilfered from people's lounges. This made sense as the entire place was no bigger than a decent lounge room. Performers would range from spoken word poets to amateurish rappers to singer songwriters grateful that someone was interested in listening to original material instead of Matchbox 20 covers.

One such act was a sister duo called Lani & Sheri. At the time the girls looked barely out of junior high (and probably weren't but it is rude to speculate on a lady's age) but they exuded such confidence that it was a shame no A&R guy ever knew about them or the place. What would you tell him anyway? Yeah it is the small room above the Fish & Chip shop!

While the ARC is now just a warm memory and the A&R departments at major labels have had more turnovers than Saddam's regime, Lani & Sheri continued to develop their song writing including a stint at the Queensland Conservatorium Of Music and this debut 'mini album' is the result of their perseverance.

Thankfully they stay true to their live sound they have developed over the years with the only change being the added presence of Brent Quirk on the skins. Their self-titled release highlights the sister's strengths of beautiful harmonies (not unlike those of the brothers Finn and the sisters Simpson) and gorgeous dreamlike lyrics that will carry the listener to a better place, at least in their mind.

Though a half dozen tracks doesn't really allow oneself to get attached to any one song, both 'Ant' and 'Find Me' seem to be the songs that best capture what Ladybird are on about. Sung by Lani, 'Ant' is a song that deals with the blurry rush of the modern day world and the relationships that are created within it (We become friends, in a hasty environment. We become friends and a hug meant everything"). With a killer guitar solo by guest Lecia McPhail-Bell, 'Ant' is a solid tilt at radio play across many formats.

Sister Sheri only takes the lead on 'Find Me' but with a completely different yet complimentary voice to Lani's, it is hoped that when the album proper comes around that she has a crack at a few more tunes. On 'Find Me' Sheri confesses the comfort found in her love. It is a sweet lilting song that speaks from the heart.

Ladybird is a quality debut for a duo that has so much to give the music world. Get into this before everyone knows about them.

For more info, check out: www.ladybirdlive.com