Emerging from the heart of Texas, darkwave duo Twin Tribes have been making their mark on the international scene, ascending the ranks to become one of the subculture’s most talked-about acts. They stormed into the spotlight back in 2018 with their debut album “Shadows,” an intoxicating blend of brooding melodies, atmospheric synths, and lyrics drenched in the chillingly macabre and mystic. The duo’s distinct sound had an immediate impact, establishing them as a tantalizingly fresh force in the music world, that reinvigorated both gothic rock and the darker side of post-punk.
Fast-forwarding to 2020, Twin Tribes further fortified their standing with a ten-track masterpiece, “Ceremony.” Their second album marked an audacious evolution in their sonic palette, delving deeper into narratives of love and loss, underpinned by an even more elaborate musical tapestry. This artistic progression demonstrated not only their growth as a band but also their readiness to blur lines and take audacious risks.
The music of Twin Tribes is a harmonious balance of dynamism and introspection, artfully entwining the darker shades of the emotional spectrum into their compositions. Their lyrical navigation through personal upheavals – love, life, loss – paints a raw, vivid tableau that’s as entrancing as it is poignant. The end result is a union of the gothic and romantic, a unique aesthetic that reinterprets these themes through a decidedly dark lens.
In a recent conversation with Post-Punk.com, Luis and Joel of Twin Tribes were asked to shed light on five up-and-coming bands they admire and think you should be tuning into right now:
HARSH SYMMETRY
Luis: Since the release of the single “Mirror Twin,” this band has been on my regular rotation of music. The debut album “Display Model” is a breath of fresh Cold Wave air. Analogue synthesizers, 80’s drum machines, and melodic guitars filled with chorus bring us Harsh Symmetry.
ULTRA SUNN
Luis: Ultra Sunn is a band that we blast while doing makeup, and getting pumped for our shows. Their catchy and gritty bass synths along with epic snares, will hypnotize you onto the dance floor. They are on our list of artists who we’d like to perform with in the future. Keep your eyes peeled for this band.
NUOVO TESTAMENTO
Joel: I was hooked as soon as I heard Michelle Michelle. Shortly after, the video for The Searcher came out in all of its delightfully danceable perfection. It further cemented my love for the band. New Earth was one long Italo-disco dance party, and is worth a listen from start to finish.
GENERAL DYNAMICS
Joel: The debut album from scene masterminds, Sarin and Qual, is a relentless electronic assault. Fittingly named, Weaponize Your Dreams can easily be the soundtrack to a post apocalyptic nightmare world inhabited by mutants, and filled with nuclear sludge. One of my favorite records to listen to recently.
LUZ FUTURO
Luis and Joel: All we needed to hear was the song, Sueños. Daniel had us from then on. It only got better once we were able to hear all of his album, Falsos Techos. It is played at least once in its entirety whenever we are out on the road touring. Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Since their formation, Twin Tribes has been a commanding presence on the US live circuit, cutting their teeth alongside established luminaries such as Clan of Xymox, Boy Harsher, She Past Away, and Kaelan Mikla. Their touring prowess extends beyond American borders as well. In 2021, Twin Tribes took the European darkwave scene by storm, headlining their own tour and sharing stages with the likes of the genre’s stalwarts, Lebanon Hanover. This international exposure has helped to broaden their fanbase and sharpen their sonic sensibilities, further fueling their rapid ascent.
In addition to their exhaustive touring schedule, Twin Tribes has graced the lineups of some of the most prestigious festivals in the dark underground scene. Their standout performances include Substance Festival in Los Angeles, Sinner’s Day in Belgium, Cold Waves in Chicago, Absolution Fest in Tampa, A Murder of Crows in NYC, Psycho Fest in Las Vegas, and SXSW in their home state of Texas have demonstrated their ability to captivate audiences on the grandest of stages. Their largest festival to date lies ahead: Cruel World Festival in Pasadena (a limited number of passes have just been released!).
Catch them live below:
Twin Tribes 2023 Tour Dates:
- Wednesday May 17 – El Paso TX – Lowbrow Palace
- Thursday May 18 – Yuma AZ – Red Moon Ale House
- Friday May 19 – Las Vegas NV – Fremont Country Club
- Saturday May 20 – Pasadena CA – Cruel World Fest
- Sunday May 21 – Phoenix AZ – The Van Buren
- Monday May 22 – Tucson AZ – 191 Toole
- Tuesday September 19 – Tulsa OK – The Vanguard
- Wednesday September 20 – Lawrence KS – The Bottleneck
- Thursday September 21 – Minneapolis MN – Icehouse
- Friday September 22 – Chicago IL – Cold Waves Fest
- Saturday September 23 Carbondale IL – Hangar 9
- Sunday September 24- Indianapolis IN – Hi-Fi
- Monday September 25- Ann Arbor MI – Blind Pig
- Tuesday September 26 – Columbus OH – Rumba Cafe
- Wednesday September 27- Philadelphia PA – Underground Arts
- Thursday September 28 – Boston MA – Middle East Downstairs
- Friday September 29- Brooklyn NY – Brooklyn Made
- Saturday September 30 – Washington DC – Black Cat
- Sunday October 01 – Richmond VA – Richmond Music Hall
- Tuesday October 03- Nashville TN – Eastside Bowl
- Wednesday October 04 – Atlanta GA – Terminal West
- Thursday October 05 – Pensacola FL – The Handlebar
- Saturday October 07 – Dallas TX – House of Blues
- Sunday October 08 – Corpus Christi TX – House of Rock
- Friday October 27 – Memphis TN – Black Lodge
- Monday October 30 – Charlotte NC – Snug Harbor
- Tuesday October 31 – Orlando FL – The Abbey
- Wednesday November 01 – West Palm Beach FL – Respectable Street
- Friday November 03 – New Orleans LA – House of Blues
- Saturday November 04 – Houston TX – White Oak Music Hall
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