Grapevine Music Agency - representing some of the finest roots musicians from the UK and North America. Folk, Blues, Country, Americana.

Chosen by BBC Late Review as their Band of 2010 on the Annual Review show in December

“This is an incredible band that presents its music, lyrics and arrangements in a totally original manner. The balance and range of instrumentation linked with ever so tight vocal work is unsurpassable”. Phil Brown, BBC

“Americana can seem like a language from a forgotten era, but Po’Girl’s sentiment never feels forced, the lyricism never cliché or false. They manage to maintain that traditional and nostalgic sound while breathing fresh life into an old-fashioned genre.” Rolling Stone

“There are many other bands playing similar stuff out there but few manage to capture the emotion and joy that Po' Girl have etched into their soul. This is a great record that the band may find hard to better.” The Music Critic – of Follow Your Bliss 2010

“The lovely Allison Russell …. her soaring, at times ethereal vocals, have so much character and feeling that she took the spellbound audience through the whole gamut of emotions. There are elements of folk, country and blues all played with a strong jazzy feel. All in all a highly accomplished band…world beaters who could even start a new genre” Maverick Magazine July 2009 

“What separates Po’Girl from so many other folky groups with multiple singers is that no matter how sweet their voices are, what really stands out is the mesmerizing groove. They’re fine songwriters, too, but that’s not what first hits you. It’s the lazy sway of Po’ Girl’s music, a hypnotic and humid sway that’s hard to resist.” All Music 

“Po'Girl has the same womanly (not girlish, mind you) croon of the 1920s and '30s blues mamas - yet their music isn't of another era There's depth to this music. . Po' Girl are hauling their music from a deep well of influences and I'd recommend joining them for the ride.” No Depression

“There are things of beauty that light up this increasingly ugly world and one of those is the voice of Allison Russell.”  Bluesbunny 2010 

“Their uplifting take on American folk music, combining it with jazz, roots and a little bit of pretty much everything else, has the ability to put a smile on anyone’s face” Glasgow Americana Festival 2009 

“A sweet gem showcasing some of the finest acoustic musicians Canada currently has to offer.” BBC, Folk and Country Review

“Folk-festival sensations, thrilling audiences with their homespun musicianship and back-porch harmonies.” Nicholas Jennings, Inside Entertainment

“Just seeing Po’Girl is always a treat” Maurice Hope, The Northern Echo

“A band that anyone with a love of American Roots music would happily pay to see several times in a week; which was exactly what I did! All in all, an evening of beautiful uplifting music.” Maverick Magazine 2010

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Po'Girl have become one of the most successful bands ever to emerge from Canada, weaving a blend of musical influences, sweetness, grit & soul. These urban minstrels pen harmony drenched melodies you'll find yourself humming, wowing audiences across the globe with their powerful, passionate and spirited live show.

The beauty and mystery of Po Girl's music - a sound that has beguiled fans the world over - springs from the mesmerizing bond shared by its two lead singers and writers - Allison Russell and Awna Teixeira.  Hailing from Montreal and Toronto respectively, both women left untenable home situations at fourteen, found music instead of bad ends, and lived to sing the tales. The interplay between these two stunning performers is truly something to behold.  You'll hear echoes of speakeasy jazz, the western lament, the accordion-strapped ghosts of European folk accompanied by the wail of the clarinet in the music of Po'Girl-- but it's delivered with a soulful clarity, and depth of feeling that makes it all their own.

It seems almost silly - and not very interesting - to trot out a long, endlessly hyphenated list of the many influences coursing through Po Girl's music. Suffice to say it's 21st Century roots music - North Americana if you will--never derivative, not faithfully aping a beloved tradition. Teixeira and Russell don't re-hash the old forms, they reshape and reinvigorate them for new ears.

Since Po'Girl's birth in Vancouver, BC in 2003- Russell and Teixeira (and an ever revolving cast of stellar musical friends), have averaged over 250 days/year on the road --bringing their inimitable roots revelry to 13 countries, and 4 continents-- winning over new fans and friends everywhere they go. With 5 internationally critically acclaimed studio albums, a live album, a b-sides album, and a DVD to their credit with Po'Girl- Alli and Awna have firmly established themselves as two dynamic, compelling songwriter/singer/multi-instrumentalists with true staying power.

2012 sees them both exploring more facets of their artistry with some exciting new projects.  Awna is getting ready to record her first solo album-- it will be released on Aug 20th, 2012. She's also working on a companion volume to her first book - A Brief History and Introduction to the Gutbucket Bass- and a new series of Children's Books, for more information visit www.hazytales.me

 Alli has teamed up with Chicago songsmith JT Nero ( of JT and the Clouds), they're currently working on their debut duo record Birds of Chicago to be released in summer/fall 2012 for more information visit www.jtandalli.com
She's also involved in a recording project called Sankofa 'The Uptown Strut'  to be released March 27th, 2012 on Kingswood Records- featuring John Sebastian (Loving Spoonful), Dom Flemons (Carolina Chocolate Drops), Ndidi Onukwulu, Sule Greg Wilson, and Professor Louie ( the Band) for more information visit http://soundcloud.com/1888media/sets/sankofa-the-uptown-strut

Po'Girl will be doing one tour and one tour only in 2012, March 21st through April 14th in the Netherlands and the UK joined by Mikey 'Lightning' August on drums and Chris Merrill on bass. These are the only scheduled Po'Girl shows this year, in order for Alli and Awna to have time to record, release, and tour their new albums. They'll be working on the songs for the next Po'Girl record and making guest appearances on each other's new projects too-- you can expect a new Po'Girl album down the line in early 2014.

Genuine gypsies, these two wander and play. They move and move and play and sing. It's quite simple. Always restless, more often than not bone-tired, they write their flashes of sadness, their loss, their good love, their hope, their dreams of home into songs that matter deeply to them. Like any good art, they are little acts of self-rescue. So you should listen. You aren't much different from them, and who couldn't use a little rescuing these days?

Selected Festival appearances by Po'Girl 2007 - 2011

Massao Festival International de Voix de Femmes, Cameroon; Groningen Rhythmn & Blues Festival, Netherlands; Belfast Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Northern Ireland Blue Highways Festival, Utrecht, Netherlands; Kilkenny Rhythmn & Blues Festival, Ireland; Vancouver Island Music Festival, Canada; Vancouver Folk Festival, Canada  Hillside Festival, Canada; Montreal Jazz Festival, Canada; Sooke River Festival, Canada Stan Rogers Festival, Canada; Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival, Canada; Frostbite Music Festival, Canada;  High Sierra Music Festival, USA SxSW, USA; Live Oak Music Festival, USA Kate Wolf Memorial Festival, USA;  Newcastle Evolution Festival, England Glasgow Americana Festival, Scotland Wood Festival, England Exeter Festival, England ;Ireby Festival, England Brighton Festival, England;  Evolution Festival, Newcastle Edinburgh Fringe, Scotland; Broadstairs, England Solefest, England; Fylde, England St Ives, England Ham Folk Festival, Belgium; Folkworks, Netherland

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Discography

Follow Your Bliss 2010

Deer In The Night 2009

No Shame 2008

Home To You 2007

Vagabond Lullabies 2004

Po’Girl 2003

PR campaign for 2010/11 supplied by Geraint Jones of G.Promo

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UK Tour dates 2014