Friday night I was in the perfect mood for some live music, the longest night of the year, The Winter Solstice, and a full moon. To my chagrin, Twin Tribes, my fellow Texans were playing at Leon’s Lounge in my hometown of Houston. Leon’s is Houston’s oldest bar and has a distinctive character unlike any other place, the perfect small, intimate setting to experience such a dynamic duo.
The night began with the dyad Secret Sands (Houston,TX) an experimental project that brings analog electronic, psych, kraut, techno and industrial together using real-time synth modulations, drum machine beats, dissonant guitar and provocative vocals. Eric Castillo, aka Markos Graves, has an uncanny, illogical method of madness when it comes to electronics that fuses in such an unexpected way with Damon Allen‘s unique ability to experiment with a vast array of instruments and vocals culminating in a time-travelling experience.
Up next, synth infused dark wave homegrown couple Sky Lesco and Manuel Lozano of Tearful Moon brought their tenebrous haunting sadness to the stage with a newfound depth and experience. Lesco‘s distinctive voice, lyrics, and dancing combine with Lozano‘s penchant and disposition for composing rare masterful blends of synth that are stylish, timeless, and gut wrenchingly emotional. It has been a big year for Tearful Moon with a European Tour and a new album. Expect exciting and surprising news from the talented duo in the new year.
The final act, Twin Tribes, an up and coming post-punk / darkwave / coldwave young pair from Brownsville, Texas drew an eclectic crowd whose upbeat, lively, and engaged excitement enhanced the melodious midnight passion engulfing the room. Culminating in the beautifully haunting ‘Talisman’ composed of crisp sparkling guitar, deep throbbing bass lines, deadly eternal rising synths, and strong, powerful drum beats awash in strangely soothing vocals of anxiety, dread, and finality lost in a milieu of dark contrasts, ghostly shadows, and forlorn tragedy. The band’s creative talents, unique individual style, and visceral dark intensity resonates in the live performance. I look forward to watching them flourish as they just signed for German label Young & Cold Records.
The debut 9-track album ‘Shadows’ released in January of 2018, rose quickly in popularity and is mentioned on quite a few sites as one of the best debut album of 2018. Last November limited edition cassette “Part Time Punk Sessions” along 4 session tracks recorded over the summer in Los Angeles, included also their first LP.
I had a chance to ask Luis Navarro and Joel Nino, Jr. a few questions after the show.
- Your debut album “Shadows” is a huge success! How does it feel?
It’s an amazing feeling knowing that it’s been so well received. When we finished recording the album we felt it was special, but never did we think it would take us where it has to this point. It’s been a fast, wonderful, humbling experience so far.
- What are your plans for the coming year?
We will be touring the states and have something in the works for 2019. It is not for sure, but we are really hoping to have a release for our fans!
- Good luck with everything…one last question: what is y’alls favorite album
Thank you so much! And here are some albums we really enjoyed this past year, as we can’t really choose just one. In no particular order :
Second Still – ‘Equals’
The Victoriana – ‘Fleetingly’
but completely…
Holygram – ‘Modern Cults’
Creux Lies – ‘The Hearth’
Lebanon Hanover – ‘Let Them Be Alien’
Catch up with the band in the following Tour Dates :
♦ December 28 St. Louis at The Crack Fox
♦ December 29 Wichita at Lucky’s Everyday
♦ March 23, 2019 San Diego at Space along with Actors, Creux Lies, Fn1 + Disorder LIVE
Keep up with Twin Tribes :
