Big Harp

Forming the L.A.-based alternative country Americana duo Big Harp, husband-and-wife team Chris Senseney and Stefanie Drootin first crossed paths amid the Omaha indie scene. Senseney had contributed to Art in Manila, whereas Drootin had lent her talents to outfits including the Good Life, Bright Eyes, Azure Ray, and She & Him. Their connection led to marriage and family life, yet music remained central as they tracked their initial full-length effort, White Hat, alongside Rilo Kiley's Pierre de Reeder during a swift three-day session in L.A. Saddle Creek Records issued the project in fall 2011, earning praise for its understated intimacy and evocative compositions. Amid ongoing road work, the pair captured Chain Letters, adopting a rawer, amplified style that diverged from the debut's gentler tones, with the follow-up emerging in January 2013.