Despite limited radio airplay in the U.S., The Waifs are hot property in their native Australia. The band has gained a steady following thanks to their persistence on the road – they tour an average of nine months a year – and sweet melodies of what they call “wholemeal” music.

Josh Cunningham and sisters Donna and Vicki Simpson jointly share the guitar playing, singing, and songwriting tasks in the band. The Waifs formed in 1992 when the Simpsons, then performing under the moniker Colours, recruited Cunningham to form a new group.

Their grandma said the trio looked like a bunch of waifs, and the name stuck.

In their 10 years together, The Waifs have released three albums. The most recent, Sink Or Swim, hit American shelves this summer.

The band has toured the world, sharing stages with Billy Bragg, Kasey Chambers, Michelle Shocked, and The Be Good Tanyas, and have the honor of being the first Australian band to perform at the prestigious Newport Folk Festival.