They released two EPs, Debut (12 May 1992) and Temperamental Friend (6 October 1994) and two albums, Angel Blood (28 April 1997) and Open Sesame (June 2000), before disbanding in 2001.
In 1989 two founders of Leonardo's Bride, Abby Dobson on lead vocals and Dean Manning on acoustic guitar performed as a duo for the first time at an open mike night at the Crossroads Theatre in Sydney.
[1][2][3] In March 1990 the duo began writing tracks together and then travelled around Europe and United States busking and playing in clubs and bars, doing 250 shows over sixteen months.
[1][3] Some of the gigs included; Sin-e in New York City, Les voultes de lutece in Paris, Hen & Chickens in London and Zorba's bar in Santorini, Greece.
A typical set is a blend of folk ballads with strong harmonies, upbeat pop with a faint rock edge, and standards from around the world".
[1][3] James Mayson of Drum Media felt they "drive a fairly quirky acoustic highway and manage to pick up some strange hitchhikers on the way ... [they] ride a carousel of emotions".
[3] Australian rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, felt it featured "breezy and plaintive folksy acoustic guitar-pop with 1960s pop balladry and jazzy inflections, it was all topped off by Dobson’s sweet and husky vocals".
[1] At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 it was nominated for 'Breakthrough Artist – Album' and 'Best Cover Art' by Simon Anderson and Manning.
In April 1998 Leonardo's Bride provided a cover version of "This Girl's in Love with You" for the various artists' tribute album, To Hal and Bacharach.
[1] During 1999 Leonardo's Bride recorded their second album, Open Sesame, with Justin Stanley, James Cadsky (Ghostwriters) and the band co-producing.
It's a huge relationship" and her poor health "[b]y the time Leonardo's Bride disbanded, I had developed rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Dean Manning released his first solo album, Diplomatic, in 2003, and then formed Holidays on Ice with Angie Hart (ex-Frente!)