The Waifs have come a long way from their humble beginnings in the early 1990s. From busking at Fremantle markets to selling their first few albums on consignment (dealing with hundreds of local shops around Australia), they have always done it themselves, a truly independent band.

Of course, by the time ‘London Still’ emerged, from the album Up All Night, they had become a huge festival band and one of the most successful acts in the country. ARIA awards and multi-platinum sales followed.

Fast-forward to 2011 and we see the release of their sixth studio album, Temptation – recorded in Minneapolis over ten days. Josh, Donna and Vicki all call America home. In recent years, the band has played second fiddle to motherhood, marriage and studies. However, music has always remained essential, ongoing and entwined with their everyday lives. As a result, the new album presents a rich tapestry of melancholy parental laments, gospel pleas, ‘sweet as summer’ love ditties, and odes to addiction and marriage.

Dave Clarke is from Readings Carlton.