SXSW Interview: Twin Tigers

Gray Waves was such an enjoyable record that it led us to fall for Twin Tigers.  We followed them around SXSW last year, secretly of course, so we were happy to sit down and get a few words in with the band before their return.

ATH:  You guys have been sort of quiet since the release of Gray Waves and the following tour.  What have you guys been up to lately? Any recording going on?

Twin Tigers: It hasn’t felt very quiet.  We haven’t stayed home for more than a few weeks a time since gray waves was recorded. We just finished a three week tour of the US and Canada. We’re currently recording a new EP with Sam Fogarino who is the drummer of Interpol. That should be done in late march.

ATH:  We raved about Gray Waves, as the sound touched upon so many elements of the stuff we dig, both current and past.  Does the new stuff you guys are working on, or have planned have any changes to the sound of the band?

Twin Tigers: The new stuff is different than gray waves. For starters, our new drummer Logan is a major upgrade both in terms of skill and taste. Overall, this music is more intense, both emotionally and sonically.

ATH:  This isn’t your first SXSW experience ( we saw you last year).  Are you going to be doing things differently this year?

Twin Tigers: The show will be stepped up but it seems that things will mostly be the same with us running from place doing two or three shows a day. SXSW is always amazing but it’s always a blur.

ATH:  What Austin discoveries did you guys make last year, and where are the spots that Twin Tigers have to hit up when they come into town?

Twin Tigers: Torchy’s Tacos with their fried avocado taco is a repeat stop.

ATH: You hail from Athens, which is a lot like Austin, in regards to being known for its musical entities. Do you think it’s an advantage to have a band in such a town, or would it be better off if you were a bigger fish in a smaller pond?

Twin Tigers: We are a big fish in a small pond now. Athens has an incredible musical legacy but the town has less than 100,000 citizens which is smaller than anywhere we go on tour now. For a place so small there are always a lot of talented creative people on deck. Really though, your location doesn’t matter anymore. If what you are doing is really special, the sound won’t stay a secret.

ATH: You’ve been around for a bit now, so what’s the best moment in the band’s career so far?  Care to share the lowest moment as well?

Twin Tigers: My favorite moment in the bands history was probably standing on the beach in Miami the night before we played our last show with Interpol at the Jackie Gleason Theatre. We were smoking grass and watching the planes fly holding patterns over the ocean. We had been out with Interpol, who I’d always loved, for about five weeks. The shows had all been amazing and we were all really happy. The lowest point was two days later when we had to go home.

ATH:  If you’re going old school, driving a van into town, what is playing on the Twin Tigers stereo?

Twin Tigers: James Blake, Beach House, Van Halen, Little Wayne, Crocodilles, Harry Nilsson.