Sister John are a band of four multi-instrumentalists from Glasgow, formed around the songwriting of Amanda McKeown.
When we first heard their debut album, ‘Returned From Sea‘, we described it as “stunning – really, really properly beautiful, it feels like our very own Tupelo Honey or Music From Big Pink, something quite exceptional”.
‘Returned From Sea’ explores themes of loss and redemption, the individual in the world and the tangibility of the past in the present.
With barely a pause, their much anticipated eponymous second album was released in January 2019. The band launched the album at a sold out gig at Glasgow’s Poetry Club before making their first appearance in London at a sell-out show at the Sebright Arms, with more shows coming this year including at Long Division Festival in June.‘Sister John’ has been Record of Note on BBC Radio Scotland, and first single, ‘I’m The One’, single of the week on BBC Radio Scotland, featuring on the shows of Roddy Hart, Vic Galloway, Janice Forsyth, Natasha Raskin-Sharp, Rapal, and also picked up by Amy Lamé at BBC Radio 6 Music.
Their second self-titled pushes their sound to the edges, exploring darker corners albeit with a wry smile. In 2021, they released " I Am By Day" which expands their soundstage further with heavier reliance on electronics and synthesisers. The more ambient "The Sound Of You" contrasts beautifully with songs such as "Glasgow Is A Rainbow " which wouldn’t feel out of place on a Flaming Lips LP.
Sister John are Amanda McKeown, Jonathan Lilley, Sophie Pragnell, and Heather Phillips.
