{{Short description|American rock band}} {{For|their self-titled debut album|2 Nice Girls}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians --> | name = Two Nice Girls | image = Twonicegirls.jpg | caption = Two Nice Girls | image_size = | background = group_or_band | alias = | origin = Austin, Texas | genre = Country rock, folk rock | years_active = 1985–1992 | label = Rough Trade Records | website = | current_members = | past_members = * Gretchen Phillips * Kathy Korniloff * Laurie Freelove * Meg Hentges * Pam Barger }}
'''Two Nice Girls''' were a self-styled "dyke rock" band from Austin, Texas, featuring singer-songwriter Gretchen Phillips. They were together from 1985 to 1992, releasing three albums on Rough Trade Records.
==History== The group formed in 1985, originally the duo of Gretchen Phillips and Kathy Korniloff, who won the Austin "Sweet Jane" festival, their version of the Lou Reed song later combined with Joan Armatrading's "Love and Affection" for their single release "Sweet Jane (With Affection)" in 1989.<ref name="Strenger">Strenger, Wif & Robbins, Ira "[https://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=two_nice_girls Two Nice Girls]", ''Trouser Press''. Retrieved July 22, 2018</ref>
Within a year, the lineup had expanded to comprise Phillips (guitar, bass, mandolin, and vocals), Korniloff (guitar, bass, violin, percussion, vocals), and Laurie Freelove (guitar, bass, percussion, and vocals). Members each wrote songs and took turns on different instruments.<ref name="Brace">Brace, Eric (1991) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20180722160035/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1053722.html Two Nice Girls]", ''The Washington Post'', March 11, 1991</ref> The band's debut album, ''2 Nice Girls'', released in 1989 included "Sweet Jane" and a cover version of Jane Siberry's "Follow Me", as well as eight originals.<ref name="Strenger" /><ref name="Christgau">Christgau, Robert "[https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Two+Nice+Girls Two Nice Girls]", robertchristgau.com. Retrieved July 22, 2018</ref> Freelove left following completion of the band's first album in 1989 to pursue a solo career.<ref name="Strenger" /> She was replaced by Meg Hentges.<ref name="Strenger" /> Drummer Pam Barger was added to the band for a tour to promote the album.<ref name="Strenger" /><ref>Corcoran, Michael (1991) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20180722155628/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4051287.html Austin's Girls just want to have fun]", ''Chicago Sun-Times'', April 26, 1991.</ref> In 1990 they released the mostly covers mini-album ''Like a Version'',<ref>Brown, Joe (1990) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20180718234541/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1124969.html Singer-Songwriters Follow Vega's Road]", ''The Washington Post'', May 4, 1990.</ref> and followed this with ''Chloe Liked Olivia'' in 1991.<ref name="Christgau" /><ref>Kening, Dan (1991) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20160128114207/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-05-23/features/9102150968_1_star-two-nice-girls-kathy-korniloff Two Nice Girls Chloe Liked Olivia (Rough Trade...]", ''The New York Times'', May 23, 1991. Retrieved July 22, 2018</ref>
Common themes in their songs included lesbianism, often using satire and humour, with their music often described as folk rock.<ref name="Brace" /><ref>Jenkins, Mark (1991) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20180718205459/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1052075.html Two Nice Girls Better as Naughty]", ''The Washington Post'', March 1, 1991.</ref>
Two Nice Girls won a GLAAD Media Award in 1991. The group broke up in 1992.
Hentges went on to release an EP and two albums.<ref>''The Advocate'', 1999, Liberation Publications, p. 256</ref> Phillips recorded several self-released albums and formed other bands. Korniloff moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in sound design and music for motion pictures. Barger moved to Seattle and joined The Billy Tipton Memorial Saxophone Quartet.
According to the band's website, Laurie Freelove died on January 22, 2017.
==Discography== ===Albums=== * ''2 Nice Girls'' (1989), Rough Trade * ''Like a Version'' (1990), Rough Trade * ''Chloe Liked Olivia'' (1991), Rough Trade
===Singles=== * "Sweet Jane (With Affection)" (1989), Rough Trade
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.twonicegirlsmusic.com}} * [http://www.hrmusic.com/artists/lflart.html Laurie Freelove Artist Profile] * [http://www.gretchen-phillips.com/ The Gretchen Phillips Experience]
{{Two Nice Girls}}
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Category:American country rock groups Category:Rock music groups from Texas Category:GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Music Artist Category:American LGBTQ-themed musical groups Category:American lesbian musicians Category:Musical groups from Austin, Texas Category:Rough Trade Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1985 Category:1985 establishments in Texas Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1992 Category:American all-female bands