This BlackByrd is flying high

Tarryn Lamb, Samantha Heldsinger and Tamsyn Maker are BlackByrd, the all-girl group from Cape Town that is racing up the charts, thanks to their hit single All Of Me.

Taking their name from the classic Beatles track, BlackByrd's rise to success began on Gumtree when Lamb put an advert on the website looking for singers, musicians and dancers to form an all-girl group.

In a case of truth being stranger than fiction, Lamb heard about a talented young dancer/singer - Maker - and invited her to audition. When Maker arrived, the two discovered that they were cousins, but had never met. They then found Heldsinger, whom they call ''their sister from another mother".

The group formed under another name four years ago and started out by performing pop covers.

''Then we decided we wanted to create our own sound," says Lamb.

She started writing songs inspired by the world renowned singer Adele.

''Before I started writing songs - when we were playing pop - there was no emotion in the music. Now there's so much of us behind every track," says Lamb.

The SABC chose one of their songs, All Of Me, as the soundtrack for the TV channel's promotional commercial and the song was played across their channels in August.

''We got such a great response," says Lamb, "especially from women who felt an incredible connection with our track about cherishing yourself when relationships fall apart."

The girls, who all play guitar and dance on stage during their live shows, say their performances are all about fun.

"We love getting the crowd involved. We often pull people onto the stage to play and dance with us. It's about sharing our passions."

With an EMI record deal and with an album due next month, BlackByrd are thinking big.

''Our dream is to play in Nashville, the home of country music. Then Madison Square Gardens in New York," says Maker.

BlackByrd's debut album, Strong, will be available from all music outlets on October 15. For their gig listings visit http://www.facebook.com/BlackByrdOfficialSA