Sisters 3
| Company type | Indie folk band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Annachristie Sadler, Beatrice Sadler, Cassandra Sadler |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Sisters 3 was a Philadelphia-based American indie folk ensemble formed in 2005 by the Sadler siblings: Annachristie, Beatrice, and Cassandra. The trio issued two albums, Star Spangled (2008) and Coruscate at the Meadow Gate (2011), earning regional acclaim through collaborations with artists such as Hoots & Hellmouth, Sharon Little, and American Babies. Their performances included appearances at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and venues like the Mann Center and Madison Square Garden. Subsequently, Annachristie Sadler embarked on a solo career under the name AC Sapphire.
Beginnings (2005–2008)
Raised in Downingtown, the Sadler family comprised eight siblings who were homeschooled with a curriculum that included Shakespearean literature and poetry, which inspired Annachristie to compose her first song at age 15. Their father, Dennis Sadler—a fine art and antique dealer as well as a record collector—introduced them to doo-wop and R&B legends like The Ravens and The Drifters. From an early age, Annachristie, Beatrice, and Cassandra performed together.
Prior to forming Sisters 3, Annachristie, then 20 years old, released a solo album titled Elixir for the Human Heart (2005), featuring vocal harmonies from her sisters. While Cassandra pursued classical composition, Beatrice had experience singing with Naughty Naughty Nurses. The sisters performed under the name Sisters Three at the Singer-Songwriter Conspiracy showcase in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. The group officially formed during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland under the moniker The Sapphires. They toured regionally alongside Philadelphia bands such as The Extraordinaires.
Sisters 3 provided backing vocals on Hoots & Hellmouth's 2007 debut album released by MAD Dragon Records and joined them on tour. They also supported Sharon Little during her 2008 tour with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
Professional Development (2008–2013)
Their debut album, Star Spangled, was recorded in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with producers Glen Marshall (known for work with Broken Social Scene, Feist, and Kaki King) and Michael Keire inside a church where Feist had recorded earlier projects. Marshall remarked that Annachristie's vocal performance gave him "goosebumps," a sensation he compared only to collaborating with Feist. The album was released on February 29, 2008 through Marshall's Vibewrangler label. That year, Sisters 3 appeared on NBC 10's The 10! Show and performed at events including Joy Rose's Mamapalooza and the Philadelphia Folk Festival alongside artists like Espers and Matt Duke.
In early 2011, Sisters 3 lent their vocals to Hezekiah Jones' Have You Seen Our Fort (Yer Bird Records) as well as American Babies' Flawed Logic (Engine Room Recordings). Annachristie also performed solo with The Loom at Danger Danger Gallery. Their sophomore album, Coruscate at the Meadow Gate, was released on June 7, 2011 via Modern Vintage Recordings; it was co-produced by Eshy Gazit and engineered by Mike Bardzik of The Boils, with part of the recording taking place at Manhattan’s The Cutting Room Studios. A music video for "Wolfmother" was released in October of that year. The band received airplay on WXPN alongside acts such as The War on Drugs and Hop Along.
Around 2013, Sisters 3 dissolved following the departure of one member. Annachristie briefly explored a solo project named Murchant before finding greater success performing solo as AC Sapphire.
Musical style
Sisters3 was chiefly recognized as a group blending folk, indie folk, indie pop, and country genres, distinguished by their unique three-part vocal harmonys. Cassandra Sadler described their music as "mutant folk music," reflecting a fusion of varied inspirations such as Erik Satie, Frédéric Chopin, Ramones, Minor Threat, Jeff Buckley, Patsy Cline, The Shirelles, The Ravens, Lead Belly, and grunge. Kiley Bense from WXPN portrayed their sound as "energetic, lively tracks with lyrics and vocals reminiscent of Neko Case in her most roots-oriented form."
Their initial release, Star Spangled, combined synthesizer textures with soul and girl group elements set within a folk context. The follow-up album, Coruscate at the Meadow Gate, presented a broader musical palette, incorporating piano, ukulele, and influences ranging from alternative and indie rock to pop, classical, jazz, 1950s doo-wop, and garage rock. Jeremy Lukens of Glide Magazine noted the album’s deviation from the folk-pop revival scene, emphasizing its heartfelt intensity and dynamic contrasts anchored by the sisters' tight harmonies. According to the Philadelphia City Paper, their vocal synergy empowered them to venture into innovative musical directions successfully.
Members
- Annachristie Sadler – lead vocals, guitar
- Cassandra Sadler – vocals, piano, synthesizer
- Beatrice Sadler – vocals, percussion
Studio albums
- Star Spangled (2008; Vibewrangler)
- Coruscate at the Meadow Gate (2011; Modern Vintage Recordings)
Singles
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Pleased To Meet You" | Coruscate at the Meadow Gate |
| "Pleiades" | ||
| "Wolfmother" |
Music videos
- "Wolfmother" (2011)
Compilation appearances
- Philly Comp One: How To Make An Arrow (2010) – "Star Spangled"
Featured on
- Hoots & Hellmouth, Hoots & Hellmouth (2007; MAD Dragon) – vocals
- American Babies, Flawed Logic (2011; Engine Room) – backing vocals
External links
- Sisters 3 on Spotify
- Sisters 3 (Live at WXPN's Key Studio), August 10, 2011