Sort of the Husker Du of New Folk, this whip-smart duo has a tendency to write its songs on the road and record them within hours of their inception. As a result, the music always feels fresh and vital. The pair has been garnering critical acclaim, as well as a laundry list of industry collaborators and friends, since they first met in 1995. Lead singer Maura cut her teeth as a backup vocalist for Mary Chapin Carpenter, and her voice has the versatility and range of a seasoned talent. Husband Paul has been playing guitar behind big folk names for years; his work has a tasty punch rarely heard in the genre. The two are poised for crossover success with a blend of Celtic Folk and exuberant Folk Pop that accents their love for literature as well as their palpable devotion to each other and their music.