Most new bands will admit that making great music is all you need, and very few bands will admit the importance of image. Let's be honest, image is plenty and the plot gets thicker when there are only two band members to work with.
In the last year or so, well after Crystal Castles exploded, there has been a slew of guy/girl combination emerging into the Canadian indie music scene. Buzz-builders like electro-pop duo Purity Ring have proven that two is enough; even while on stage. The music is solid as Corrin Roddick provides the beats while Megan James takes care of the charm and vocals.
Finding that perfect musical partner can be tough. The ability to see eye-to-eye, share a common interest and push an image forward is important. The fashionable dynamic duo of July Talk has done so thus far, even though it was a fluke meeting of the two minds.
And, of course, the list keeps growing. Montreal's mysterious and hypnotic duo AroarA (one half Andrew Whiteman of Broken Social Scene) are making moves. And Toronto's newest New Wave duo Beliefs are also creeping up the scene.
What's most fascinating about these bands is the ability to make something simple work to great volume. Just the two of them. Keeping us all entertained and keeping us listening.
What's your favourite boy/girl two-piece?