Back in the early 1990's people used to communicate by phone and mail... real mail and real phones that were connected to a wall. It was practically archaic...

Traditionalists lament the lack of human contact these days. Business is done through a myriad of electronic messages, emails, sms, mms, tweets and bluetooth. What has happened to having a conversation, what's happened to actually getting to know someone? What will happen to handwriting?

It's rare to see a page of handwriting these days, which is why I was suprised to walk past a colleague's desk and see a letter several pages long written entirely in blue ink. Showing a healthy disregard for his privacy, I sat down to read it.

I won't divulge the contents, but i'll let you know that it was from a bunch of four Melbourne musicians. It was conversational, talking about the footy, talking about the tour bus and telling some wittty little anecdotes, it asked how the recipient was. They were genuinely interested in what my colleagues thoughts were. It was kinda cute. The collective noun for these letter writing musicians is 'Skipping Girl Vinegar' and they're a band that takes zealous pride in doing things with tenderness, care and integrity.

Skipping Girl's postal revolution (they write real letters to all of their fans, and encourage you to write back) is a cute and sentimental undertaking. It won't change the world but it is so ridiculously charming and personal that you can't help but love the band. Digital marketing gurus talk all the time about communicating with your fanbase and giving them 'real value'. Well folks, here's a band that give fans real value. These guys LOVE their fans.

The care that Skipping Girl take with these letters is indicative of everything they do, from the songcraft, the year long recording period, the stunning album packaging, the animated four part animated clip and their ambitious interstate residencies. They're their vehemently independent too, rumours abound of 6 figure advances from major labels being turned down in order to release their long awaited debut 12 months ago on the totally rad but small Melbourne indie label Popboomerang. 

Finally, the craft of the songs and the untreated performances are something to behold. I love Skipping Girl and I want you to love them too...

Skipping Girl Vinegar are playing Wednesdays in November at The Northcote Social Club and Thursdays at The Moquarie Hotel, Sydney.