Burney Sisters

Olivia and Emma Burney are a seismic sister duo with an ever-evolving folk/rock/Indie sound.

Both girls dabbled in instrumental music lessons at an early age (Olivia on piano; Emma on violin) but their interest quickly waned. The traditional childhood music repertoire just wasn’t their jam. Instead, the girls steeped themselves in popular music and daily family singalongs. In this music rich environment, the girls honed their vocal skills and grew conversant with harmony. Learning to sing together was built upon “what sounded right.” And it was magical. The girls’ abilities grew at a pace and proficiency that immediately set them apart—even garnering them an invitation to provide back up vocals on a friend’s album. That serendipitous experience proved to be pivotal. Both girls agreed, performing was fun but now, they really wanted to play “their own stuff.”

Olivia began to play around on an old guitar at home but, ultimately, it was the one dollar garage sale ukulele that shifted her trajectory. It was now about carving out her own unique sound. Seeing Olivia blaze her own way was formative for Emma. Almost immediately, she picked up the guitar, followed by the bass, banjo and keyboards. And, in a beautiful twist of irony, Emma picked up her PaPa’s fiddle and set her sights on learning as many traditional songs as she could. She succeeded.

The musical phenoms are now a heady force. With a maturity and emotional intelligence that belies their age, Olivia and Emma write keen and knowing songs while arranging for multiple instruments and structuring unique and resonant harmonies. The result—personal and penetrating songs that both connect with and captivate the listener.

Their debut 2017 EP included such gems as “Constellations” and the popular “Plastic.” Their follow up EP, “Where We Stand” was released in 2018. Their single, “Make Me Happy” (September 2019) is infused with a folk rock sound and even nuances of punk, proving that the unexpected always delights. 2 more singles “Unbearable” and “Too Familiar” were released in 2020 and the pair have been expanding their musical taste and style as they continue to hone their craft.

The Burney Sisters have played stages big and small, opening for Wynonna Judd, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, Larkin Poe, Del McCoury ‘The Voice’ alum Sawyer Fredericks and current ‘American Idol’ contestant, Emi Sunshine. These were incredible experiences, but festival stages such as Peddler’s Jamboree, Twangfest, Shwagstock, Moccasin Creek, and, most notably, Columbia’s Roots N Blues N BBQ annual festival, afford them exciting opportunities to connect with their fans and meet amazing new people. In addition to venues and festivals, the sisters have taken a deep fondness to playing intimate house concerts, private meaningful gatherings, and fundraising efforts that resonate with them. Coordinating weekly livestreams has been an important step in staying connected with their listeners during the 2020 pandemic, as well as, seeking out collaborations with various artists. One notable and most recent collaboration involved Kevin Morby.

You can find the Burney Sisters’ music on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and Amazon. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter to hear about upcoming events and get first access to new music.