
The UK-based folk trio, The Staves, has been making a name for itself at a feverish pace. Although the outfit, consisting of sisters Emily, Jessica, and Camilla Staveley-Taylor, has yet to release a full-length album, it has already been signed with Atlantic Records and is currently on tour with the Grammy award winner, Bon Iver. Though it’s a hectic time for the girls, they were kind enough to chat with me about working with legendary producers Ethan and Glyn Johns, touring with the Wisconsin bard, and sibling rivalry.
Katrina Nattress: You girls have garnered a lot of press already, and you haven’t even released a full-length album yet. How long have you been playing music together?
The Staves: Well, being sisters means we’ve grown up singing together. It was always something we did at home for fun, and it was only in the last couple of years that we started touring and playing outside of our hometown.
KN: I’ve read that you used to harmonize to your parents records. Were your parents musicians?
TS: Our parents play a bit of guitar and piano and both have lovely voices but never gigged. They’d always be singing us songs when we were little and would play Paul Simon records and The Beatles all the time.
KN: Do you feel like this exposure to music had an influence in starting the band?
TS: It definitely did, as singing and harmonizing together became second nature to us. Dad taught us to play guitar so then we could play the songs we loved, and this eventually led to song writing.

KN: The media has compared you to ‘70s legends like Joni Mitchell and Sandy Denny. Do you agree with these comparisons? How does it feel to be compared to greats like these?
KN: Camilla, you play the ukulele (which is AWESOME!). How long have you been playing, and what elements do you feel this instrument adds to The Staves sound?
KN: I have read that Ethan Johns was your dream producer. What was your reaction when he said he wanted to produce your debut album?
KN: How did it feel to work with him and his father Glyn?
KN: How is the album coming along? What process are you in?
KN: When can we expect the album to be released?
KN: You are currently touring with Bon Iver. How is that going?
KN: Any interesting stories from the road?
KN: Since you are sisters, is there ever any sibling rivalry in the band?
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