Ipso Facto

All-female foursome Ipso Facto are nearly as well known for their fashion sense as for their music -- they exclusively favor vintage monochrome outfits and sport hairdos that split the difference between Louise Brooks and Brian Jones -- though their stylish fusion of indie pop, garage rock, early goth sounds and psychedelia has certainly earned them a loyal following. Ipso Facto was formed in 2007 by lead singer/guitarist Rosalie Cunningham and keyboard player/backing vocalist Cherish Kaya; Cunningham, who had been playing with a band called Theoretical Girls (not to be confused with the New York no wave pioneers), decided the group had taken their electronic approach as far as it would go, and she and Kaya decided to start something fresh. While in Theoretical Girls, Cunningham had shared several bills with a group featuring bassist Samantha Valentine, and she was asked to join Cunningham and Kaya's new act. Ipso Facto became a quartet when Cunningham struck up a conversation with Victoria Smith at a bus stop; after finding out she'd accidentally burned down her house, Cunningham learned Smith played the drums, and she was soon extended an invitation to join. In May 2007, Ipso Facto made their live debut opening for the Violets, and their first single, "Harmonise" b/w "Balderdash," was released by the independent Disc Error label six months later. Thanks in part to a striking music video and plenty of enthusiastic press, the single quickly sold out its press run, and Ipso Facto began receiving international coverage as they began work on their debut album in 2008. ~ Mark Deming, All Music Guide