Search TWIN XL on Google and you’ll likely turn up a bunch of mattresses.
That may soon change if the LA-based alt-pop band of the same name continues its buzz.
Joining The Maine for a show at Observatory North Park on Friday, Nov. 29, TWIN XL started making waves earlier this year with the catchy single “Good,” from their debut seven-song EP How To Talk To Strangers. Loved by listeners who appreciate earworms and lauded by critics ranging from Alternative Press to MTV, the song recently hit No. 1 on Spotify’s top alternative playlist The New Alt.
The trio – comprised of Cameron Walker Wright (lead vocals/guitar) and brothers Stephen Gomez (bass) and John Gomez (guitar/vocals) — formed in 2017, after writing and producing for artists such as All Time Low, Lindsey Stirling and Life of Dillon. Additionally, Walker-Wright was part of the synth-pop band Nekokat while the Gomez Brothers played in The Summer Set.
In shaping their sound, TWIN XL drew inspiration from contemporary indie bands such as Foster the People and CHVRCHES, as well as classic Brit pop bands including The Beatles and Oasis. “So much great music comes out of the UK, and I’m also a dual citizen there,” Walker-Wright says. “My dad is from the UK and I have family there and visit often. I’ve always been fascinated by and have tried to keep up with the music culture there.”
How To Talk To Strangers, written and produced entirely by the band, features numerous instantly likeable tracks — like the quirky “Friends” and shimmery “Sunglasses.” But, as with their just-released and perhaps most infectious song yet, “Messy,” Twin XL has a penchant for penning songs exhibiting the dichotomy of serious subject matter set to an uplifting groove.
“I’ve always loved the contrast of having catchy music and melodies accompanied by dark or heavy lyrics and vise-versa,” says Walker-Wright. I think it’s something I’ve always gravitated towards. I also think that all three of us have a very hooky/melodic way of writing songs that happens naturally so we often can’t help but write catchy songs. It’s how we’re wired.”
The upcoming Observatory show is TWIN XL’s first time performing in San Diego. The band joined The Maine to provide support on their entire 27-date nationwide “The Mirror Tour.”
“The Maine are such an amazing band and they are the nicest people in the world,” Walker-Wright says of the headliners. “They’ve been touring for so long and they are such pros at it that they really make it easy to be their support band. I feel like I’m learning a lot from just being around them.”
Next year is already shaping up to be a strong one for TWIN XL. The band is slated to tour with Fitz and the Tantrums, and they are 10 songs deep into pulling together and releasing their first full-length album, which will include “Messy.”
“I’m really excited about the new songs we have in the works right now, particularly one called ‘Problematic,’ says Walker-Wright. “Our goal for 2020 is to continue pushing the boundaries of who we are as a band and to see how far we can take it.”
Tickets for the all-ages show at the Observatory cost $25 and can be purchased online.
Donovan Roche has covered the world of music for the past 30 years. Send your story idea to droche17@cox.net.