Sun Hill (R.I.P.)

Sun Hill were a Brisbane-based indie pop duo who formed in mid-2003 and broke up in August 2005. In their time together they played with Jens Lekman, New Buffalo, Holly Throsby, Machine Translations, The Zebras, Jane vs World and many more great pop acts.

They never released any recordings of their own, however one song ('Music For Modern Lovers') appeared on a compilation put together by Adelaide label Patterns In Static.

'Tiny Pieces' was played live just three times and 'We Don't Sleep' was actually written after Sun Hill disbanded (and, really, doesn't sound much like Sun Hill at all).

They often performed a cover of 'Falling Out Of Love (With You)' by The 6ths and have recorded a version for the upcoming Pop The Question compilation.

Listen to Sun Hill:
Sunshine & Smiles (unreleased demo)
Music For Modern Lovers (low-res)
Tiny Pieces (bedroom demo)
We Don't Sleep (bedroom demo)

Rave Magazine review:
"Brisbane’s Sun Hill, a male/female duo on vocals/guitar and keyboards/backing vocals respectively, made an apt opening act for Swedish indie crooner Jens Lekman. Theirs was a particularly fresh, uncluttured brand of minimalist pop music, melding unfussy acoustic strum with subtle electronic dressing (as well as a touch of melodica and mates providing hand claps). Lovely 6ths cover, too." – Rave Mag (Matt Thrower)

Mocking Music - #11 on list of essential married duos

As my list goes on, it's becoming apparent that the most natural genre for married indie duos is pop, and that usually means twee. Australian duo Sun Hill, which was comprised of Nick Coppack on guitar and vocals and his wife, Victoria Hannan, on keyboards, glockenspiel, and melodica, were very twee.

For indie cred they'd covered Magnetic Fields and Postal Service but, alas, not Morrissey. Sun Hill exuded a sort of childlike wonder not unlike Boy Least Likely To or Architecture In Helsinki but also showed a quieter side not always evident in the aforementioned bands.

And yes, that was all written in the past tense. Sun Hill dissolved before ever releasing an album, but rest assured, they're still married, and currently run their own independent label.