Purple Pilgrims

Sisters Clementine and Valentine Nixon are great-granddaughters of folk musician Davie Stewart.[1] They were raised itinerantly between Christchurch, New Zealand and Hong Kong, China.[2][3]

Purple Pilgrims' music combines elements of dream pop,[4] noise,[5] lo-fi, folk, and atmospheric jazz.[6] The duo has been frequently likened to Kate Bush, Beach House[7][8] and 1980s dream pop artists.[9] Stuff has referred to the band as "Aotearoa's answer to haze-pop pioneers Dead Can Dance and Cocteau Twins".[10]

The sisters' soprano vocal styles have been compared to Marianne Faithfull, Mary Hopkin,[11] Joni Mitchell,[12] Judy Collins, Sandy Denny,[13] Vashti Bunyan and Linda Perhacs.[10]

Purple Pilgrims utilize a mixture of digital and analog recording techniques in their work, from an early DIY approach using cassette tape collage[14] to analog studio processing in their later work.[15]

Purple Pilgrims released their first recording a self-titled 8" lathe cut record in 2011 via New Zealand underground label Pseudo Arcana.[16] The limited edition release came with a 12 page art zine. The New Zealand Listener called the work "assertively lo-as-fi-can-go ... a good example of gently and deeply moving elegant dream pop."[17]

In 2013 the band released a split LP with American avant-garde musician and frequent Purple Pilgrims collaborator Gary War via London-based label Upset the Rhythm.[18][19]

Purple Pilgrims released their debut LP Eternal Delight in 2016 via Los Angeles based label Not Not Fun Records.[20] The Guardian said that the album "could’ve come direct from golden era 4AD Records when the Cocteau Twins still roamed."[30].[9]

Purple Pilgrims' sophomore album Perfumed Earth was released on August 9 2019 via Flying Nun Records.[21] The Sydney Morning Herald called the album "an alluring combination of hazy soundscape and songwriting finesse…"[11] while Pitchfork noted “...its lush melodies, strands that wind and splay like a carpet of vine”.[6]

Purple Pilgrims have toured with Ariel Pink, Aldous Harding,[22] John Maus,[23] and Weyes Blood.[24]