THE RECEPTIONISTS The Last Letter 1999

by request

biography

by Stephen Cramer

Formed at Vassar University in 1994, the Receptionists carved a niche for themselves in the Northeastern college indie rock scenes in the mid- to late '90s. Featuring Tanya Sullivan on guitar and vocals, Larissa Nurt on accordion and vocals, and Jennifer Simpson on a slew of instruments, including penny whistle, mandolin, xylophone, toy piano, bohdran, and maracas, the trio's quirky musical instincts impressed Ba Da Bing Records owner Ben Goldberg enough to release the band's The Memo EP in early 1995. The Last Letter full-length CD followed in 1999, which chronicled most of the band's recorded output.