Mabel and Ivy Windred-Wornes sound like they've been singing together all their lives. And they have been, growing up they'd work up little harmonies in the bath, in school choirs, in their bedroom, their angelic voices seamlessly intertwine and complement each other at the same time.
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But all their lives isn't a very long time at all. Mabel is just 17, Ivy 14, as Charm of Finches they've been described as one of the most refreshing and original acts to hit the Australian music scene in years.
Their latest album Staring at the Starry Ceiling has been released to rave reviews and is full of tracks that belie their years. The ABC's Paul Gough named it as one of the best releases of 2016.
"We've always been around music at home," Mabel said.
"As kids we listened to a lot of folk music, Celtic music, traditional American folk music, we loved Appalachian music, we were really influenced by the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack too.
"And dad had an obsession with Bob Dylan, as little kids we may not have liked the scratchiness of his voice, but we appreciated his lyricism."
As the girls approached their (early) teens they discovered First Aid Kit, the Swedish folk duo, who went viral with a cover of Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song.
"When we found out they made their first album at the age of about 16 we were like that is so cool, we should make music and get gigs and record some stuff."
The pair already had some live performances under their belts, playing in hotel bars at the ages of 11 and eight as The Highway Sisters, performing mainly bluegrass and gospel three-part harmony stuff with their friend Belle.
"We're still playing at venues we're too young to actually get into," Mabel laughs.
At the age of 12 Mabel picked up the guitar and started writing her own songs.
"I decided I wanted to make my own music and Ivy came along for the ride."
When Mabel was in Year 8 - the pair attend a Steiner school in Melbourne - she decided to make a CD for a major project.
"At first it was going to be a little thing, make it at home on [the app] Garage Band and then give some to friends.
"But we met producer Michael Johnson who said you want to record with me and we worked with Evripedes Evripidou and it became our first EP Home.
"I passed that assignment, even though I didn't get it in on time!"
Mum Jo, father Ben and little brother Percy, seven, - "who'd like to add drums to our set," says Mabel - all tour with the girls. Mabel can't remember if they've been to Canberra, not even on a dodgy school excursion at some point.
The pair are looking forward to playing at the National Folk Festival, in Canberra from April 13-17 - "that's a festival off our bucket list," says Mabel, just back from playing at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
They can't wait to see The Mae Trio Band.
"We're such big fans of theirs," says Mabel.
It's fair to say that Charm of Finches themselves might find a few fans of their own. With their charming vocals mixed up with a variety of instruments including glockenspiel, lyre, banjo, ukulele, and piano - and cellist Alice Hurwood will appear with them at the festival -
Charm of Finches will be performing at the National Folk Festival at Exhibition Park in Canberra from April 13-17, 2017.
