Alishas Attic

Alisha’s Attic was more than just a musical duo—it was a project deeply rooted in the hearts and ambitions of sisters Karen and Shelly Poole. Born fourteen months apart, Karen entered the world on 8 January 1971 in Chadwell Heath, Essex, while Shelly followed on 20 March 1972 in Barking, Essex. Their shared passion for music ignited in childhood and led them to send home-recorded demo tapes to record companies, dreaming of a chance to break into the music scene.
Their big break came when they caught the attention of Dave Stewart from Eurythmics, who recognised their talent and helped them secure a deal with Mercury Records. This partnership resulted in their debut album Alisha Rules the World, released in November 1996. Produced by Dave Stewart, the album was both a critical and commercial triumph, achieving platinum status the following year. With tracks like I Am, I Feel and Alisha Rules the World, the album showcased the sisters’ poetic lyrics, unique vocal harmonies, and whimsical style, making a lasting impression on the pop landscape.
The duo embarked on highly successful promotional tours in 1996 and 1997, sharing stages with INXS in Australia and participating in the Lilith Fair tour in the United States. Their captivating performances earned them a loyal following, and their growing popularity led to stunning headlining shows across the UK.
In 1998, Alisha’s Attic decided to take a new creative direction for their second album. Collaborating with producer Mark Plati in New York, they released Illumina in October that year. The album featured tracks such as The Incidentals, which reached number thirteen in its first week and stayed on the charts for seven weeks. However, despite the maturity and evolution in their sound, the changing music scene proved challenging, with the charts dominated by manufactured pop acts.
Undeterred, the sisters ventured to Mendocino, California, to work with Bill Bottrell, a producer known for his work with Sheryl Crow. The result was their third studio album, The House We Built, released in 2001. The album showcased a new depth in their music and lyrics, reflecting their personal growth as artists.
Later that year, Mercury Records underwent a restructuring and parted ways with Alisha’s Attic, leading the sisters to pursue solo careers. Shelly released her solo album Hard Time for the Dreamer in 2005 and joined the band Red Sky July, while Karen became a prolific lyricist for major pop artists, including Kylie Minogue and Dannii Minogue. One standout post-Alisha’s Attic project was The Vaults I, a collection of previously unreleased songs that captured the duo’s magical creativity.
Alisha’s Attic remains an unforgettable name in 1990s pop, celebrated for their innovative sound, captivating performances, and collaborative artistry with Dave Stewart. Their legacy continues to inspire fans and artists alike.