Sounds on the Ground #25: Twin Sister
By: Dan Monsell
What's the Deal: This beautiful space-pop from a female-fronted band of New York-based newbies had us swooning from the very first listen. Immediate echoes of Galaxie 500, Beach House, Fleetwood Mac, Bjork and even disco-pop queens like Donna Summer came to the fore immediately, but what grabbed me most was the predominant sense of a very clean breath of fresh air resonating around my brain. We like this nice blissed-out but intricate pop sound that seems to be emanating from the New York streets at the moment - other bands like Cults, Memoryhouse (forthcoming touring partners of Twin Sister's) and of course Beach House are similarly carrying said torch - and these guys here are perhaps the most explorative and psychedelic of the bunch. Heaven knows what's making all these bands act like it's a summer day by the beach with no worries in the world when there's still a worldwide financial crisis and a the biggest oil spill in the country's history going on, but we're down with it – these are some great songs, and it's lovely to escape after a day looking at the papers ain't it? By no means do we wish to simply group this lovely band so casually into a movement, what's certainly clear here is a striving for individuality and classic pop sounds with a healthy dose of experimentalism.
What can I hear: Now I like the deal here with these lot, because they have a nice and welcoming website where you're able to stream all their tracks nice and easily, and also download their debut (Vampires with Dreaming Kids EP) for free. It's the little details. So, what are you waiting for? Your phone to ring? A new e-mail to come through telling you some great news? A video ad to pop up on the right hand corner of the screen telling you to buy an exercise bike? No. Nothing! Go on, download it. We particularly have strong feelings over standouts ‘Phenomenons’ and ‘Milk and Honey’. Myspace.com/twinsisterband is also worth a punt.
When can I see them: Get yourself across the oceans if you want to see them, because currently they are only playing in their native US of A. A few dates with Bear in Heaven before a mammoth US tour with MemoryHouse are taking place. But you gotta trust me here, they're going to be over in the UK faster than you can say "these guys are my favourite new US band buzz", or "chillwave is dead, I much prefer dream-rock"
We all know music peaked in 1994, so give me a sound-bite about how we could compare them to some kind of obscure band from the Britpop era: Assemble a choice selection of Echobelly, Sleeper and The Boo Raddlies to form a super group of sorts. Loosen them the hell up from their tight Britpop ways, (like lose the leather jackets for starts), make them drink some herbal tea and listen to a lot of US college radio on stream. Kick out them jams - Twin Sister there is.
Artists in this article: Twin SIster