Paola e Chiara

I stumbled on to these two the other day. They are a very popular (in Italy) singing duo. I think they are sisters (which makes this photo slightly incestuous and therefore slightly creepy) and they are hot. In the good way.

You can try to get some of their music, as imports, from Amazon:

Ci Chiamano Bambine [1998]

Ci Chiamano Bambine [1997] -- a second link in re the somewhat confused listing of the obscure-in-the-US girls.

Ci Chiamano Bambine [1999]

Television [2000]

Television [2000]

Viva El Amor [CD-SINGLE] [2001]

From Amazon.co.uk (the British site):

Television

Giornata Storica

Vamos a Bailar [SINGLE] [2000]

Vamos a Bailar Remix [SINGLE]

Ci Chiamano Bambine

Non Puoi Dore Di No [SINGLE]

Nina [SINGLE]

This is from the English version of their Italian site, so the grammar may seem jumpy:

Paola & Chiara won in 1997 the Sanremo Festival, the most important musical event in Italy. In the same year is released "CI CHIAMANO BAMBINE", their debut album, that gained immediately the Platinum Status. That year, Paola & Chiara were the opening act for Michael Jackson only Italian concert and supporting act for Mark Owen's Italian solo tour.

In winter 1998 is released "GIORNATA STORICA" a folk-rock album, whose lyrics and sound are inspired by Irish tradition. During the summer of the same year, Paola & Chiara hold their first Italian unplugged tour.

On April 7th, 2000 "Vamos a bailar", the first single from Paola & Chiara's "Television" is released in Italy: Platinum Status and #1 in the charts for 15 weeks! A huge success! "Vamos a bailar" wins the Festivalbar Award as "Most popular song of 2000". Festivalbar is the biggest event of the Italian summer. Gary Kemp (ex- Spandau Ballet), long-term friend of Paola & Chiara's, likes very much the song and translates the lyrics in English. The new version, remixed by the Rapino Brothers, is released everywhere in Europe, with a huge success both in terms of sales and airplay: top ten in Sweden, Poland, Switzerland and Germany. The Spanish version reaches the top ten in Spain too! In the UK "Vamos" remix reches #1 in the club charts. In the US, "Vamos a bailar" reaches the TOP 30 in the Billboard dance charts. In Italy, 4 singles from "Television" are released: "Vamos a bailar", "Amoremidai", "Viva el amor" and, in summer 2001 "Fino alla fine". This track, entirely re-arranged by Paola & Chiara and Roberto Baldi, is an infectious track with a sound between '70s and '80s.

In June 2001, Paola & Chiara are testimonials for the Gay Pride event in Italy and become true pop and fashion icons. In July, the tour begins and the two sisters are cover stars for two of the most important Italian magazines: GQ (pictures by Rankin) and Sette (pictures by Fabrizio Ferri). Rankin's photos of Paola & Chiara have been featured by GQ UK, GQ South Africa and Status (Greece) as well. In September, again guests at the final date of Festivalbar with "Fino alla fine", Paola & Chiara close the season at the top.

2002: The album (available in Italian, English and Spanish), written during a long trip to US, Argentina and Brasil features very important contributions: Hugh Burns' guitars, Guy Pratt's bass, the strings of the London Session Orchestra's (written by Wil Malone and directed by Gavyn Wright). The English version for "Festival", titled "Heart Burnin' " has been written by Madonna's Billy Steinberg. The amazing video for "Festival" (available in Italian, English and Spanish) shot entirely in Brasil is on high rotation on MTV Italy.