Laurie & John

Twin siblings Laurie and John Stirratt grew up in 1970s New Orleans in a musical family, with parents who were both musicians. Both went on to carve out successful careers in music, though the two did not release a CD together until the autumn of 2004. Relocating to Mississippi in the late '80s, the Stirratts played together in John's band the Hilltops until its breakup in 1991, at which point Laurie and Hilltops guitarist Cary Hudson formed Blue Mountain. That same year John released a solo record under the name the Gimmecaps, then joined old friends Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar in Uncle Tupelo in 1993. After Uncle Tupelo's breakup John continued with Jeff Tweedy to form Wilco in 1994. Blue Mountain, after six albums and ten years of successful touring and side projects, dissolved in 2001. Laurie spent the next year touring and recording with Tyler Keith & the Preacher's Kids. Meanwhile in 1999, while still a core member of the increasingly popular Wilco, John formed the Autumn Defense, his collaboration with Pat Sansone, and they released their first album in 2001, followed by a second in 2003. That year Laurie relocated again from Mississippi to Chicago, where she and John were finally able to reunite and overcome the forces of geography and tour schedules to complete their long-awaited first record together, Arabella. ~ Lisa M. Smith, All Music Guide