With Halloween breathing down our necks, we couldn’t imagine a more perfect time to talk about “Fantasmas” with one of the breakthrough bands of the post-punk and goth scenes. A few days before performing in Florida, we had the opportunity to talk to Twin Tribes.
The duo, originally from Rio Grande Valley, South of Texas, has quickly gained a cult following across Europe, the US, and Latin America, with their darkwave melodies and haunting vocals. They will be performing two Florida shows within the next few days; one at The Abbey in Orlando on October 31st, and a second show at Respectable Street in West Palm Beach on November 1st.
While on the road, we caught up with Joel Niño and Luis Navarro, to dig a little deeper into the dynamic behind their sound, the story behind their greatest hit, and the root of their fascination with the occult.
Twin Tribes is a relatively new project when considering that we had a few years of pandemic in the middle, yet your sound is very tight. There is a strong synergy between both of you. How did you master the Twin Tribes sound?
Joel: It’s come with a lot of practice and experimentation. We continue to modify our live setup to bring the most fluid presentation and representation of the recorded music.
Luis: Practicing and eating all your fruits and vegetables.
Tell me the story behind your breakthrough single “Fantasmas”. Why do you think it became such a hit?
Joel: I honestly felt that it was one of the tracks that would get a lot of attention once I heard Luis’ vocal for the chorus. The whole song is very to the point, easy to gravitate to, and honestly, stuck out like a sore thumb due to the intensity of the track compared to the rest of the album.
Luis: I agree with Joel. It’s very straightforward with a lot of energy. But the chorus in Spanish was probably what made the fans connect with it. We are from a border town, so expressing yourself in both languages is common for us. I feel like this opened a door for newer fans to connect to. You’ve been actively touring since the inception of the band. Do you have any special rituals while on the road or before going on stage?
Joel: I wouldn’t call it a ritual. It’s more of a good omen. Somehow, some way, the movie Rush Hour plays while we’re out on tour. We’re not actively seeking it out either, it just kinda happens. We love that movie, so we’re always quoting it on the road.
Luis: Nothing crazy. We usually put on a playlist, do makeup, stretch, and take the stage.
What’s the root of your fascination with the occult?
Joel: Curiosity. I’m an observer, simply reading, watching, and hearing stories of these worlds.
Luis: For me, it came through curiosity and coincidence. I bumped into an occult glossary and it really caught my attention. But it doesn't just end there. I'm also interested in UFOs, conspiracies, magic, etc.
What are your thoughts on the current state of post-punk and dark-wave music scenes?
Joel: I think it’s certainly at a high point. There’s a wealth of amazing bands touring and recording excellent albums right now. It’s enough to where sometimes, as a fan, you have to pick and choose which ones you’re able to go and see. It’s why I’m always so thankful that people pay their hard-earned money, and take the time to come out to a show to see us. I don’t take that for granted.
Luis: It’s definitely gained more popularity recently and so many great artists are part of it. I'm just grateful to be part of it and grateful for the fans.
You recently released a remix with Creux Lies. And you had previously released an album featuring collaborations with a dozen bands. What would your dream collaboration be?
Joel: Anything with Choir Boy, Light Asylum, Nuovo Testamento, or Luz Futuro would be really cool for me. I’m a big fan of all of those bands.
Luis: I would love to collab with Asylum Party or Luz Futuro.
You will be performing two shows in Florida, one in Orlando, and another in West Palm Beach. What do you want the crowd to experience when watching you live?
Joel: As with any of our shows, my aim is to keep them in the moment with us, and help them, for that 45 minutes to an hour, forget everything that’s going on in their lives. It’s a ceremonious feeling, and if we can touch their souls, hearts, and minds with our music, then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do night in and night out.
Luis: It’s our first time in some of these cities. I'm excited to see the turnout and to watch the band grow. Hopefully, the fans will enjoy the show.
Any final thoughts or plans for the future you would like to share?
Joel: It’s almost time.
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