Vancouver-based chamber pop quintet E.S.L. was formed in 2005 when Marta Jaciubek-McKeever (Polish-born pianist and singer of GIRL NOBODY fame) propositioned Cris Derksen (half-Cree cello superstar) first for love and later for musical enterprises. Joy Mullen on drums (THE PEOPLE VERSES) joined soon after, as did Diona Davies (PO' GIRL), the fiddle-playing gypsy heartthrob. Tess Kitchen and E.S.L. discovered each other at a porch party in 2009, and thus trumpet completed the quintet.
Together E.S.L. perform uniquely orchestrated songs inspired by Polish cabaret, Neil Young, Beastie Boys and Velvet Underground, to name a few. Their chemistry translates into magical live performances that range from prohibition era dance numbers to heart breaking ballads.
In February of 2006 E.S.L. released a limited-edition EP, entitled Hawks House, to much critical acclaim.The ladies put out a full-length album, Eye Contact, in 2008. Most recently, E.S.L. has performed at the 2010 Calgary Folk Festival and Harrison Folk Festival. Watch for an EP planned for late 2010 and tour dates in 2011!
