My sisters have always listened to music that was in style at the time (though they both had their particular genres) and which I mostly hated. However, it was through this that I decided to find my own style. Sometimes I wonder what my sisters and I would sound like if we had formed a musical group. We’re not a musical family but with our different and at times conflicting tastes it may have given us an advantage; we could’ve defied some genres, experimented with techniques. Or, most likely, we would’ve sounded dreadful. Really dreadful. Here is a list of some siblings who collaborate as musicians (either in groups or duos) and who, in my opinion, got it right. Click on band’s name for more info.
The Spinto BandMembers: Jon Eaton, Nick Krill, Sam and Thomas Hughes, Jeffrey and Joey Hobson
Origins: Delaware, USA
Album/s: The Analog Chronicles (1998); Digital Summer (1999); Roosevelt (2000); Mersey & Reno (2001); Nice and Nicely Done (2005); Moonwink (2008)
Named after Nick Krill’s grandfather (guitar player Roy Spinto), The Spinto Band is an Indie rock group hailing from Delaware. They’ve been at it for over a decade now having released Analog Chronicles in 1998, and have toured with many big named bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets, The Kooks and The Strokes amongst others. Their song Oh Mandy has also been used in the 2005 film Four Eyed Monsters. Here are their individual roles in the band: Jon Eaton – guitar; Nick Krill – vocals, guitar; Thomas Hughes – vocals, bass; Jeffrey Hobson – drums; Sam Hughes – keyboards, vocals; Joey Hobson – guitar, vocals. I first saw them in Later with Jools and I really liked their style. They have a very upbeat (and offbeat) sound to their songs, the videos are quirky and colourful. And yes, I am aware the video below is in black and white. Still, the quirkiness is there.
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The PiercesMembers: Catherine and Allison Pierce
Origins: Alabama, USA
Album/s: The Pierces (2000); Light of the Moon (2005); Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge (2007)
Alabama duo The Pierces have an interesting beginning. Born to self-described hippie parents, the two were surrounded by music and art since they were kids. They were home schooled and were encouraged to perform at parties and the like. They officially came into the music industry while they were attending Auburn University. A friend of them send a tape to a Nashville record company, which eventually resulted in their debut album in 2000. The album wasn’t as successful as it could have been due to “no label support” as stated by Allmusic. In 2007 the sisters went for it and had fun with their third album, Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge. The songs Secret and Three Wishes have been featured in Gossip Girl, which is where I first found out about them. Their Indie pop/alternative style is fun to listen to. At first, they may sound like another pop duo but the two complement each other nicely.
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Where’s JeromeMembers: Jeremy Smith, Alexandra Sebastian, Todd Cetin
Origins: Sydney, Australia
Album/s: Dreamboat (EP, 2008); Where’s Jerome? (2009)
Where’s Jerome is one of Sydney’s newest great bands. Jeremy Smith comes from the band Altona, while his sister Alexandra hails from Midnight Hysteria. They are joined by Smith’s best friend, Todd Cetin. The trio are the “beginners” of this list but are by no means lacking in experience. Their self-titled debut album is a collection of strong vocals, playful keyboards and almost hypnotic drums. The songs are catchy and stay with you for days (when I first heard Sneakers I could not get it out of my head! It was great). I have recently been writing some freelance music reviews for Scene Magazine, which is how I found out about Where’s Jerome. They are currently doing some touring in the New South Wales/Victoria area but will surely tour Brisbane and the rest of Australia soon. And I’m definitely going to be there to see them.
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Angus and Julia StoneMembers: Angus and Julia Stone
Origins: Sydney, Australia
Album/s: A Book Like This (2007); EPs include: Hollywood (2008); Chocolates and Cigarettes (2006); Heart Full of Wine (2007); The Beast (2007); Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (2009)
Angus and Julia Stone are a Sydney duo whose voices are so distinct from one another. He has a young, smooth and warm tone while her vocals sound aged and fractured. That may sound insulting to Julia but it’s actually a very, very good thing. It gives them a beautifully distinct sound. They take turns at being the lead vocalist, which works quite well; I love the contrast in their albums. Their lyrics are also well-crafted and wonderfully sung. There’s an art form in the way they package and advertise themselves too. You only have to look at their album covers or music videos to see that they are very expressive. I first encountered a poster of them that promoted a concert they were about to do in Brisbane. I didn’t know who they were or what they sounded like but I loved the poster (their portrait in particular). I walked past it often and one day I stole it from the message board and then looked up their music. I was very pleasantly surprised. It was hard to choose one YouTube video for this because they both have such great voices. However, I have chosen Just A Boy because it’s one of my favourite A&J Stone tracks. And because of Angus.
Click here for Wasted led by Julia’s vocals.
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Tegan and SaraMembers: Tegan and Sara Quin
Origins: Alberta, Canada
Album/s: Under Feet Like Ours (1999); This Business of Art (2000); If It Was You (2002); So Jealous (2004); The Con (2007); Sainthood (2009); EPs: I’ll Take the Blame (2007); Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) (2008)
Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin pretty much encapsulates everything about this topic for me. They are identical twins with a very strong musicality. They are also the ones I’ve known the longest in this list. This Canadian Indie rock/pop duo have been in the music scene for some time and have established quite a fanbase. They began by using their school’s recording studio (my school built an entire music building but we didn’t have a recording studio!) to record two demos, and in 1998 they won the Garage Warz Battle of the Bands held in their hometown of Calgary; they competed under the name of Sara and Tegan because that was the name their mother had registered the two. After establishing a name for themselves they toured extensively and produced several albums. There’s a childish tone in their vocals but that doesn’t hide the lyrical and musical prowess they hold. Their songs are catchy and mostly upbeat. I found out about them when I saw their music video Walking With A Ghost on ‘Rage‘ in 2006. Their newest album Sainthood will be available from October 27th 2009.
YouTube – The Con Music Video
Uploaded by tegan-andsara – Watch more music videos, in HD!
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