Breezy New Zealand indie pop group the Brunettes, inspired by '60s girl groups and '70s punk, formed in 1998 and released the Mars Loves Venus EP that same year. It took four years for the band's first full-length, Holding Hands, Feeding Ducks, to appear on Lil' Chief. 2004 saw the release of their second album, which was also named Mars Loves Venus (the EP and the album only have the title track in common), and reflected the Brunettes' increasing skill in the studio and influences from Gram Parsons to Prince. The group's most sophisticated album yet, Structure and Cosmetics, followed in 2007, with Paper Dolls issued two years later. ~ Heather Phares