The Alpine

Combining synths with sweet harmonies and bright beats, Australian ensemble Alpine offer a stylish, soaring hybrid of alternative dance and post-punk. Formed in Melbourne in 2009, the band grew out of a high-school-era collaboration between singer Phoebe Baker and guitarist Christian O’Brien. After high school, Louisa James joined in to assist with vocal harmonies, and friends Tim Royal, Ryan Lamb, and Phil Tucker soon followed on keyboard, bass, and drums, respectively. Alpine’s demo reached Australian radio station Triple J and became a favorite on the emerging artists feature Unearthed before the group played its first show. But they soon took to the stage, performing a monthlong residency at the Melbourne venue Northcote Social Club, as well as joining the Ivy League Records roster. Their debut EP, Zurich, arrived in November 2010 as Alpine toured alongside fellow Aussie acts such as Cloud Control, Jinja Safari, and the Naked and Famous. ~ Chrysta Cherrie, Rovi