By now you’re aware that I like a bit of quirkiness in my music; anything different that stands out from the white noise of commercial rock/pop being repeated on FM is a very good thing. The Twoks are one of the most fun, quirky and original bands I have seen in Melbourne for a long while.
Vocalist and violinist Xani Kolac and percussionist Mark Leahy make some snappy and unique tunes that whisk me away to my happy place – more specifically somewhere warm and tropical – when I listen to it. And come to that, for me their music does have a touch of the tropicana vibe reminiscent of Vampire Weekend, who also take me away to my happy place!
The Twoks tunes are fun, super catchy and so energetic, as evidenced when I saw them play live recently and they got every single person off their bum and dancing like crazy people with ants in their undies. Xani and Mark looked like they were having nothing but fun playing for their audience, which in turn got the crowd all super hyped; it was one energetic gig.
They’re both excellent musicians, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off Xani playing that violin – that girl got skills. Her vocals are powerful enough to pierce through the booming of Mark’s drumming, yet floaty enough to give the edginess of their songs a soft touch.
Listen: The Twoks 240 Volts
Check out the below vid: The Twoks in action during Tram Sessions. If you haven’t yet heard of Tram Sessions, they basically ‘put bands on Melbourne trams for our commuting pleasure’ – best idea ever! More on that later.
Watch: The Twoks live from Tram Sessions
The Twoks are quite well known on the live circuit and they have a heap of gigs lined up between now and July, including a couple of residencies at the Rainbow Hotel in Fitzroy and Pure Pop Records in St Kidla. Visit The Twoks at their website http://thetwoks.com/ for news and tunes, and to listen to their album 240 Volts.
25 May – Cornish Arms (with Box Rockets)
June Residency – Rainbow Hotel, Fitzroy 9pm every Thursday night
July Residency – Pure Pop Records, St Kilda 6-8pm every Sunday
13 July – On Top Bar, Ormond 8:30pm til late
21 July – Mackay Festival
4 August – The Brunswick Hotel (supporting Better Than Wizards)
