Mrs. Greenbird

In 2012 the German folk-pop duo Mrs. Greenbird rose to national attention by winning the televised talent contest The X Factor. Sarah Nücken, who writes and sings, joined guitarist and vocalist Steffen Brückner to form the act in 2006. Both had previously performed in church choirs, and Brückner additionally served as worship leader at a congregation in Cologne. The pair first crossed paths at neighborhood folk clubs and later became musical and romantic partners. Before their television appearance they worked the German folk circuit and supported American actor and musician Tim Robbins on tour, delivering covers of material by Radiohead, the Swell Season, and Alanis Morissette during the competition. Columbia released their self-titled debut album in late 2012; the record logged 23 weeks on the German charts and climbed to number one, while reaching number two in Austria and number nine in Switzerland. A live album appeared the next year.