Young and Sexy

Young and Sexy's dual male-female singing, understated tunes, and lustrous production channel the Beatles directly, placing the group among today's leading purveyors of luminous pop alongside Call & Response, Aislers Set, Beulah, Gentle Waves, and the Clientele.

The group's roots trace to an unplanned encounter in Vancouver in 1993 between Paul Hixon Pittman and Lucy Brain. They exchanged a few words at the Bread Garden while she made his sandwich; moments afterward she was startled to see him sprinting down the block to catch up. Their brief romance soon ended, leaving Pittman despondent, yet it supplied abundant lyric ideas and a lasting drive to craft a melody rivaling the Beatles' "I'm Only Sleeping." Pittman eventually recognized that Brain's flawless intonation and lovely, endearing harmonies were essential to realize his songs, prompting their reunion—this time to form a band.

Guitarist and celebrated improviser Colin McLaine contributed for a period before departing to pursue separate projects. Pittman and Brain then added Austrian drummer Ron "Frankie" Teardrop, keyboardist Teddy Bois, and bassist and guitarist Andre Lagace, rounding out the ensemble.

Mint Records of Vancouver signed the band in 2001, and its ethereal, irresistibly melodic first album, Stand Up for Your Mother, appeared the following March.