Two Nice Girls
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas , United States |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Two Nice Girls identified themselves as a "dyke rock" ensemble originating from Austin, Texas, prominently featuring singer-songwriter Gretchen Phillips. Active between 1985 and 1992, the band produced three albums under the Rough Trade Records label.
History
The group began in 1985 as a duo with Gretchen Phillips and Kathy Korniloff and achieved recognition by winning the Austin "Sweet Jane" festival. Their 1989 single "Sweet Jane (With Affection)" creatively merged elements from Lou Reed's original track and Joan Armatrading's "Love and Affection."
Within a year, the band expanded to include Laurie Freelove alongside Phillips (handling guitar, bass, mandolin, and vocals), Korniloff (guitar, bass, violin, percussion, vocals), and Freelove (guitar, bass, percussion, vocals). Each member contributed songwriting and alternated playing various instruments. Their first album, 2 Nice Girls (1989), featured the track "Sweet Jane," a rendition of Jane Siberry's "Follow Me," plus eight original compositions. After this release, Freelove departed to embark on a solo path and was succeeded by Meg Hentges. Drummer Pam Barger joined the group for their subsequent tour.
In 1990, they issued Like a Version, a mini-album predominantly consisting of cover songs, followed by their 1991 release Chloe Liked Olivia. Their sound is commonly categorized as folk rock, with lyrics often exploring lesbian themes through satire and wit.
The band received a GLAAD Media Award in 1991 before disbanding the following year.
Following the breakup, Meg Hentges released an EP along with two albums; Gretchen Phillips self-produced several albums and formed additional bands; Kathy Korniloff transitioned into sound design and composing for film in Los Angeles; Pam Barger became a member of The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet based in Seattle.
Laurie Freelove passed away on January 22, 2017.
Albums
- 2 Nice Girls (1989), Rough Trade
- Like a Version (1990), Rough Trade
- Chloe Liked Olivia (1991), Rough Trade
Singles
- "Sweet Jane (With Affection)" (1989), Rough Trade