Celebrating Eighties Nostalgia With Twin Tribes
Written by: Bhumika
In a recent interview, Twin Tribes, an emerging force in the darkwave scene, walked down memory lane to share their journey of creating the band to the recent release of their third album titled "Pendulum." Band members Luis Navarro and Joel Niño, Jr., are excited to resume touring in North America, Latin America, Europe, and Mexico. Named in homage to the band’s passion for sci-fi and eighties films, including "Labyrinth" and "The Dark Crystal," Twin Tribes wanted to market the band as a cult.
The band’s passion for music stemmed from familial influences and being kids of the eighties. The band members connected through an earlier band they were part of. In fact, it was en route to one of those shows where Luis showed Joel the demo of “Shadows,” which organically propelled the dynamic duo to fully pour themselves into this musical endeavor that would become Twin Tribes.
The band is grateful for the fans embracing “Pendulum” and the ability to play in new countries on this tour, including Brazil and Argentina. They are excited to play new music for their fans and ask newcomers to give them a chance to draw them into their storytelling of finding beauty in darkness.
Next Wave: Could you tell us a bit about how you created the name “Twin Tribes” for the band?
Twin Tribes: We started the band in 2017. Joel and I were going over different names while researching a couple of cults because we wanted to market the band as a cult. During our research, one of the names that stood out was Twelve Tribes. After which, Joel started playing with some of the words he had written down and that mixology birthed – Twin Tribes. We really liked how that visually looked and the symmetry stood out. From there, we have given the name its identity and everything else behind it.
Next Wave: Where does the band’s passion for music come from?
Luis: My dad had a cassette that I remember playing from a young age. That introduced me to rock music while my uncles and friends diversified my listening to classic rock. A prominent influence has always been Spanish music and bands like Soda Stereo and Caifanes to name a few.
Joel: My sister had a briefcase of cassettes, so I would go to her car and look through it and then pop one of the cassettes into the stereo. She had a variety of genres including rap, hip-pop, best of the eighties, and Spanish stuff. Growing up, I would also hear mom listening to her Spanish music while cleaning – so music has always been around and something that I gravitated towards.
Next Wave: What drew you to the darkwave scene?
Luis: The first time I heard Darkwave was in a Goth Club in Mexico and it was popular – a couple of friends and I went where it was the first time I heard The Cure and Depeche Mode, and it stood out to me. I was super young, but I continued to listen and appreciate that genre. Although it was only in 2015 or 2016 that I rediscovered this music and listened to it differently because of the emergence of bands like The Smiths with eighties characteristics.
Joel: Being a child of the late eighties, I remember attending Matinee every Sunday where I was listening to David Bowie sing these songs and becoming a little fan. Even movies like The Breakfast Club that you rewatch coupled with my sister’s cassettes shaped my love for music. And as Luis said, you rediscover music as you grow up and go in different directions. In a way the eighties flavor and darkwave always drew me in.
Next Wave: Tell us more about your love for the eighties?
Twin Tribes: In fact, there is a revival of the eighties in pop culture where younger kids are listening to Billy Idol and others that they hear from Stranger Things. From a musician’s perspective, when we started experimenting with eighties analogue equipment like synthesizers and drum machines – it gave the band its personality and sound we were trying to achieve and that is very present in the hits from that time frame too. It also lends to our audience where we see more and more of the older generation introducing their kids to such music or the other way around. “I showed my dad your music and they are in love with you now,” this is such a cool thing for us to hear. The eighties sound is distinct, but not extinct. This music is still alive and makes people dance. It will live with folks forever!
Next Wave: Between 2018 and present day, it seems your albums have gradually integrated more themes such as love and loss. Can you expand on your journey towards exploring more emotions in your albums?
Twin Tribes: It came from feeling more comfortable with each album. But all our albums are a collection of stories and inspiration from things we love. This is true for our debut album, “Shadow” and even our second album, “Ceremony” was a collection of stories on love and loss, but our sound has evolved. This comes from life events and an ability to reflect on them, which is our therapy. In fact, fans have shared with us that our songs helped them get through a particularly hard time. Our type of music whether it is dark wave or goth is about finding beauty in something that is otherwise horrible.
Next Wave: What was the process of writing Pendulum?
Twin Tribes: We were supposed to go on a big tour in 2022, but that did not happen. This propelled us to set time aside to create new music. It was all meant to be because we went to the studio that summer and “Pendulum” was created.
Next Wave: From the ten-tracks, which would you say embodies the theme of Pendulum best?
Twin Tribes: Gosh, it is hard to pick just one. “Pendulum” for us was the natural next step to take us to the next level professionally and creatively. Every album is an evolution and speaking about the next step, Sangre de Oro embodies that. The song was organically created – all our influences for the song came together all at once – a song completely in Spanish, which is something new and fresh.
Next Wave: What was different about your creative process for “Pendulum” from the previous two albums?
Twin Tribes: We had more gear, so we were able to experiment with more sounds while retaining our sound. We wrote all the demos in our studio and then we re-recorded everything with our friend. Charlie Vela’s studio where it came to life. This was the first time we did not record the album on analogue or tape, it was all done digitally.
Next Wave: Did you have a Eureka moment while creating Pendulum?
Twin Tribes: We were in our studio working on the chorus of Cauldron of Thorns and discussing what comes next, so we were moving the verse and chorus around when suddenly, we looked at each other and went WOAH. It is a moment when we are writing the song that we hope our listeners feel too. It is an important step – loving the music and pouring your heart into it.
Next Wave: Which song surprised or challenged you the most from the album?
Luis: Cauldron of Thorns again was the most challenging song of the album because I am not used to singing that high, so I did not even know that I could sing that high. Joel and Charlie were coaching me, and it all happened for the first time in the studio. I sang that high and it was a special moment.
Joel: As we were writing and putting the album together – I was trying to write the lines around the base, but I realized it was not needed. This is why the album as a collective does not have base guitar besides two songs. This experience made me set myself aside and ask what is best for the music and album – the bigger picture. It challenged me to step away from identifying just as a base player and learn more synth, which is not my primary instrument. I was nervous about how to perform this live, but I am proud of “Pendulum” and how fans are embracing it.
Next Wave: Which song did you have the most fun with?
Twin Tribes: Monolith because how the choirs came out and the guitar ended up sounding was completely different from the demo. We went to the studio set on how the music will sound, but Charlie would propose another idea. He would encourage us to let loose and try something new. Sanctuary is one of our other favorites because we were able to play base on the track and it sounded killer! We love to play these songs live and new music allows us to get outside of our comfort zones. We are excited for more of that!
Next Wave: You have played some incredible festivals – do you have a favorite?
Twin Tribes: Our favorites are always changing, but right now it is Darker Waves. It was a dream watching some great artists and bands. But also, one of our biggest shows ever and being on stage performing to thousands of people, with the ocean to the left and sun beaming down. It was a moment that felt unreal!
Next Wave: Spending most of 2024 touring, what are you looking forward to the most?
Twin Tribes: We are excited to play new countries in South America. We are also looking forward to performing in Europe again because the first-time was not the best experience. We are itching for a do-over to show our fans what we are capable of. We are a different band now with a lot more to give.
Next Wave: Is there something you learned from touring over the last few years that you are excited to try and implement this time?
Twin Tribes: We have been grinding and touring from day one. We have received great advice from other bands along the way including She Past Away, Boy Harsher, and Lebanon Hanover. The guidance from them has shown us the importance of a clear mind and comfortable space during touring. For instance, we should not be worried about where we are sleeping or if we can eat before the show. We want to give our fans what they paid for and give them the best show by putting ourselves in the position of a solid headspace.
Next Wave: What song do you recommend for first-time listeners?
Twin Tribes: Monolith, which is our first single from the new album and has a beautiful video that goes along with it. The song encapsulates everything for the band both visually and sonically. Hopefully from there, they check out the rest of our discography.
Next Wave: Is there a career milestone you feel most proud of and something you hope to achieve in the long-term?
Twin Tribes: The longevity of the band is something we feel most grateful for. To be here six years removed from when we first released “Shadows” and started touring, is incredible. People told us we made it fast and maybe that is true in the music world, but six years is a long time – a lot happens – a pandemic even. We are also grateful to share our art with the world and do what we love for a living. We are also proud of “Pendulum” and the positive response it has received from fans!
Next Wave: What do you hope for the band in the future?
Twin Tribes: We want to continue playing in countries we have not played yet like Australia, Canada, or part of Asia. Even more cities in Mexico. We want to spread our music and art as far as we can.
Next Wave: What do you hope listeners take away from Pendulum?
Twin Tribes: We hope people can listen to our music and pinpoint several references that inspire us. Take in everything and hopefully they enjoy it. We understand that we may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but all we ask is to keep an open mind.
