THEY'VE been seen as alternative folk's answer to The Stripes and described as The Pussycat Dolls meets Nick Drake. So at the very least this makes east Kent duo The Dealers a highly intriguing prospect for critics and fans alike.

But thankfully for all their talent, Pierre Vincent and Bessie Sayce are about as far from being divas-in-the-making as you could hope to find. Giving up a comfortable rented home for a life on the road living out of their winnebago has sown the seeds for some fine adventures.

Over the last two years they have recorded sessions for BBC Kent, won Play Music Magazine’s Best Unsigned Acoustic Act and supported chart-topper Sandi Thom last month in Deal. By the look of their manic tour schedule there’s little let-up for them, including plans for a mini-raid on Europe this autumn.

"We're going to have to do six hour sets when we are over there in Germany. We like the thought of doing something similar to The Beatles did in Hamburg when they started out," explained Pierre, whose Dylan-esque guise is a perfect foil to Bessie’s Gothic inspired image - she wouldn’t look out of place in a Gwen Stefani video with her striking quiffed hair, dazzling pink coat and six-inch platform heels.

The pair have quietly forged two gorgeous albums in the unlikely setting of their kitchen. And if a homespun approach can work for the likes of award-winning star Seth Lakeman, then there's no reason why it can't be done again.

"Recording time costs so much money," said Bessie.

"If you don't have the cash then you have to do it all yourself. There's not much room in our kitchen but it worked alright. There was even one song which didn’t end up on the album on which you could hear me doing the washing up in the background! We also had a lot of top notch musicians who offered their services for free which has really helped us."

With a name like The Dealers, you would be forgiven for conjuring up images of a gangland rap collective fresh out of Brooklyn. However, there’s almost a perverse brilliance in this harmony-fuelled folk-pop act simply naming themselves after their hometown.

"Our manager told us that he thought our name was a bit too out there. But when we explained that it just came from us living in Deal then he said that he could go with that," added Bessie.

The Dealer's incisive lyrics are born of some truly unique life experiences over the past few years. Bessie in particular has taken on a dizzying array of roles, from marketing manager, podium dancer to lollipop sales girl, while Pierre quips that he’s been "unemployable!"

Their first gig as a duo was at Walmer Castle and they have been gathering fans ever since. They released their impressive debut album, Listen, in 2006 and the equally engaging Trine To The Cheats folowed swiftly on its heels.

"A lot of people get complacent in playing music that’s nostalgic from 30 and 40 years ago, but we want to just do that," said Bessie.

"We wanted to create something new so that our own kids can look back on and make something themselves. There are some good acoustic artists out there and in all the pubs and places we’ve played we have been welcomed with open arms for doing original material. Young bands shouldn’t be afraid to promote their own music."

With any luck this could well be their year with a growing level of industry interest in their work but for now they are more than content gigging. Among the rollcall of events are appearances at Broadstairs Folk Festival and the Sweeps Festival in Rochester. They are also down to play an event at St Mary's Church at Sandwich organised by a music collective, UFO.

This eclectic summer show aims to bring some of the best emerging international folk and alternative talent to the county.

It's a rare thing when such a one off band comes along and it’s heartening the music scene in Kent has taken to The Dealer's charismatic sound. With plenty of skill and bucketfuls of charm, the dream of the musical big league is surely within their grasp.

The Dealers play at the freshly re-launched Orange Street Music Club in Canterbury on Friday, March 14 supported by Lucy Kitt. They then head to the Duke of Cumberland, Whitstable on March 23, the Rochester Sweeps Festival on April 26, and UFO presents at St Mary’s Church, Sandwich on May 25, featuring highly-rated American duo Truckstop Honeymoon and English guitarist Delta Tom.