Good friends and Texas goth duo Twin Tribes (Luis Navarro and Joel Niño Jr) are proving that goth isnt' a phase and it didn't die in the 80s. The Cure, Bauhaus, and Clan of Xymox passing down the darkwave music torch to Twin Tribes is what's keeping this genre alive and not forgetting the unique type of crowd it draws. Twin Tribes just dropped their newest record Pendulum, which has been praised by fans. Twin Tribes so mystique with their stage style and going strong with nearly a decade of dark melodic synths that just make us what to dance at a cemetery. Here's my fun chat with the guys!
Hey Luis & Joel of Twin Tribes nice to e-meet you & thanks for your time!
How's your 2024 going so far?
L: It’s going amazing! We had been anxiously waiting for our album to drop on January 26th, and it’s been out for about 10 days now. The response so far has been great.
J: Nine straight sold out shows along the west coast. It’s been such a dream. I still can’t believe it.
I see on socials you're a darkwave duo from TX who formed in 2017. The post-punk synthwave scene has been getting attention over there & it's even growing in South America too! Do you think this resurgence can bring more attention to smaller similar bands?
L: Definitely. We have seen an uprise in dark bands all over the globe and we’re excited to be a part of it. We’re not only musicians, we’re also fans, so every time we get a chance, we’ll make playlists of new music we've been listening to.
J: A rising tide lifts all boats. If you’re a band that’s making killer music, especially now when you can be seen and heard a lot easier with Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube, etc, you can generate attention. We do our best to keep up with new artists and lift them up by bringing them on tour with us, or even something as simple as adding them to one of our public playlists.
I interviewed bands like Glass Spells & Mareux who performed at Cruel World & Darker Waves Fest which you were also on that same bill. Were there some artists you guys were fan boying over? If you could come up with a fest, who would you have?
L: Yeah, I was fanboying internally the entire time, but without losing my cool. Our trailer was very close to Gary Numan’s, but I was too shy to talk to him. Maybe next time I’ll have more courage!
J: I saw Billy Idol as I walked out of the band village and just about lost my mind. I kept my composure, continued walking, and saw David Draiman from Disturbed making his way into the artist area. Quite the stroll. Give me The Cure, Depeche Mode, and Devo for a festival to end all festivals.
On the same night of your SF show, Enrique Iglesias along with Pitbull & Ricky Martin are playing at another venue. If they could cover a Twin Tribes song, which would it be?
L: Sounds like a pretty lit show, to be honest. I would say a Fantasmas salsa remix, or something along those lines.
J: Damn. It’s a wonder anyone came out to our show with that stacked lineup on the same night. They need something super dancy to work with. Let’s go with Still in Still. Dale.
SF is recognized as a tech city. They already have self-driving vehicles known as Waymo on the streets picking up passengers. Would you ride in one?
L: I think we saw one! As long as it doesn’t turn into a T-2000 from Terminator, I’m down.
J: We did! It had some spinning thingie on the top of the car. I’m pretty sure that’s the technical term. Would I ride one? Absolutely not.
Of these bands (The Cure, Depeche Mode & Drab Majesty) who would you tour with, go dancing with or go to a funeral with?
L: Tour with The Cure, dance with Depeche Mode and a funeral with Drab, I suppose.
J: How macabre. I’m in agreement with Luis, but I’d rather go to an ice cream shop than a funeral with Drab.
In the past Twin Tribes covered The Cure’s “Burn” which was featured in the movie The Crow. What are your thoughts about a reboot?
L: I’m excited, but also scared since I grew up with this movie. There’s been several sequels, but honestly the first one is still the best one to me. It would be sick to be a part of the soundtrack though.
J: I’m always cautious when it comes to reboots. Some can knock it out of the park, like Dune, but more often than not, we get The Mummy. I remember The Crow being such a huge movie for a kid like me. The soundtrack in itself is the stuff of legend, so any attempt at reimagining something with that much impact visually and auditory, is an uphill battle.
If you could cover a Death Cab For Cutie song in the style of KISS, which would it be?
L: This is pretty crazy being a Death Cab and a KISS fan. Title and Registration for me. Maybe all of Give Up from The Postal Service?
J: Can we just do all of Narrow Stairs as KISS? It’d be a shame to put on all the makeup and pay for all the pyro to only do one song.
If you guys could be in an X Files episode, what would be the plot of the scene?
L: I’m Mulder’s cousin. We’re on tour. We get abducted. Scully doesn’t believe anything. Mulder rescues us somehow. The truth is out there.
J: I think the music video for Monolith is exactly what our X-Files episode would be!
Both of you guys are fathers. What music have you shared with your kids & vice versa?
L: My oldest daughter is a TT fan lowkey, but doesn’t like to admit it. Every now and then we jam out to the Tribes though. Once they’re a little older I’m showing them KISS and beginner bands.
J: Oh boy. I’ve tried showing my kiddo so many tracks from my youth. But I’m not sure I’m at the cool dad level yet. He rejected my suggestions of Bowie and The Cure for JVKE and Mac Demarco. Which is totally fine by me. The worst thing I could do as a dad is force my music on him. He may come around, and if he doesn’t, that’s quite alright. He actually got me into that JVKE guy, mainly because I love hearing him sing his songs. It’s my favorite thing in the world.
If you could come up with a news headline what would it be?
L: Laughing in the Shadows: The Twin Tribes Comedy Tour 2025 Now On Sale.
J: Local man wrestles bear, befriends, together become first man/bear duo to win World Tag Team championships.
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