The Chapin Sisters may be the most overdressed singing group in music these days. While most young starlets wear designer-skimpy outfits, this Los Angeles-based singing trio sport long, flowing gowns that make them appear as Victorian bridesmaids. The vintage look is part of their performances, member Lily Chapin tells Spinner. "It makes us excited to put those dresses on and to get onstage," she says. "It's part of getting into character almost. It's really a way of saying, 'We're here to entertain you and we're here to take you on a journey.'"

Their appearance, not to mention their haunting acoustic folk sound, is as unconventional as their family genes. All of them have the same mother, but Lily and her sister Abigail are the daughters of musician Tom Chapin (their uncle was the late Harry Chapin, best known for 'Cat's in the Cradle'), and Jessica Craven is the daughter of horror film director Wes Craven. Although they formally became a group only a few years ago, the sisters, who are originally from New York, have sung together since childhood.

"[Abigail and I] grew up singing on almost all of our dad's kids' records," says Lily. "And Jessica sang on "Uh-oh, Spaghetti-O's" ads and she did a lot of jingles. When we were all in the car together listening to music, we sort of naturally fell into music."

The Chapin Sisters first got noticed when their unique acoustic cover of Britney Spears' 'Toxic' became a breakthrough hit on local radio. "We just did that as kind of a joke," says Lily. "And it turned out really beautiful." After time spent performing live and recording, they just released a full-length debut of originals, 'Lake Bottom Lp.' While the sound is gentle folk and the vocal harmonies are very exquisite, the lyrics tell a melancholy story. Song titles such as 'Kill Me Now' and 'Let Me Go' offer some clues. "We get asked that a lot," Lily says. "'Why are you guys so depressed?' I think that we're attracted to the melancholy moments because those are some of the most poetic moments. The dark tragic moments in life are the moments you kind of need to express."

One prominent fan, producer/artist Daniel Lanois, professed his admiration for the band in a most unusual way at their show last year. "He had gotten a hundred-dollar bill changed into singles at the bar," recalls Lily, "He threw all these one-dollar bills [like] confetti onto the stage during our encore to get us back onstage while we were just taking our bows. Everyone was kind of astounded. 'Who was this crazy man throwing money onstage?' After the show, we realized who it was and it was kind of an amazing moment."