Interview: Brighton's Twin Brother

Published in SQ Magazine January 2012

Wandering through the streets of Brighton, it's hard not to realise the wealth of musical talent that surrounds you. Every other bar contains local bands plying their trade in one of the most vibrant musical towns in the UK. One act looking to do exactly the same is Twin Brother, the stage name for multi-instrumentalist Alex Wells.

I caught up with Alex to talk Twin Brother, Brighton and his Glastonbury experience.

Tell us about Twin Brother. How did you start out?

Well basically Twin Brother started at a time when I wasn't in a band. I found I had some stuff I needed to say so thought I'd try my hand at writing. I'd managed to get a mic or two, so produced and played the stuff myself. At first it was scary but after a while it’s lots of fun.

How long have you been writing music?

I started properly writing when I was about 17 I think. I'd written a couple of songs before that but they were sort of 'make up lyrics that sound cool and fit in with the music' rather than actually having anything to say. I wrote 5 or 6 songs for a folky project, and then I made the Twin Brother stuff. I write pretty much every day, but I just never have any time to turn the ideas into polished recordings!

You’ve been likened to acts such as Tom Waits and Nick Cave for your musical approach. Who are your main inspirations?

A friend of mine called Benjamin Blower is a huge inspiration lyrically (he talks about freedom and consumerism and stuff, definitely check him out). I'm really into Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Solomon Burke, Fleetwood Mac, The Walkmen, Buckley etc. But maybe it ends out coming out more like Spoon meets The National. I love that people hear Cave and Waits in there, I'm a huge fan of both but never thought I'd come out with something similar!

The style of your music differs considerably from the reflective Ephemeral Love to the more indie sounding Lungs. How do you describe your sound?

I have a lot of trouble describing the sound. Those tracks come from an album I demoed out a while ago (only some of which are online). I really made an effort to come up with my own ideas and experiment musically. While that's personally rewarding, it does make it difficult to tell people if they are going to like it. I suppose lungs stands out because it sounds a bit like indie from a year or two back. Someone today called my stuff "moody rock" - I kind of like that.

Which part of music writing do you find more expressive and powerful; the lyrics or the music?

 Maybe this is an unpopular opinion but I'd say the lyrics without a doubt. Maybe it’s because I think lyrics can ruin or make a song more easily than the music. Perhaps the music is a vessel for the lyrics and should enhance what's being said. Also, when I feel like the lyrics aren't thought through, I struggle to feel any emotional connection with the song - and that's the point, isn't it?

The Brighton music scene is one of the most vibrant in the UK. How has it helped your music develop?

Probably more than I realise. After playing around the country a bit, I've realised that Brighton is really into a lot of good stuff and really encourages doing new things. Lots of good stuff is being done here and loads of my friends are local musicians doing really interesting things. We sometimes play on each other’s sets (look out of Ez Stone and Bella Spinks).

What are your plans for releasing more material? Hints have been dropped on your Facebook about a release, so is there anything in the pipeline?

I'm dying to get a proper release out. I need to spend some proper time in the studio to come out with something more thought out. I had no idea Twin Brother would go anywhere at all so the tracks we're still playing at the moment are from a 12 track demo I made in 2 weeks in my bedroom. I'd really like to put a bit more effort into it and hopefully get something really good done.

Highlight of your career so far?

Playing BBC Introducing at Glastonbury this year for sure.

How was it at Glasto?

Fearful yet exciting. To be honest I was also really excited to go to glasto as I'd never been before. It's absolutely nothing like anything else and it’s impossible to describe without having been! We were the first on, on the Friday (so pretty much the start of the festival). We had a really decent listening crowd, maybe because we didn't have much to compete with!

Where do you see yourself in 12 months?

Hmmm as long as I haven't had a mental breakdown yet I hope to have a decent album out and do some touring!

Get to know Twin Brother: Quickfire quiz

Tea or Coffee?

Coffee

Bath or Shower?

Shower (haven't had a bath in years... is that bad?)

 Sweet or Savoury?

Savoury (meat)

 Beaches: Sandy or Pebbly?

Pebbly!

 Football or Rugby?

I enjoy playing football, but gotta admit don't really follow either.

Beer or Cider?

Beer

 Fender or Gibson?

Fender

 Film or TV?

Film!

 Mac or PC?

eeeeghhh i kind of hate Mac. I feel cheated ever since I bought one...

Top 10 Goals of 2011!

Published online at SQ on December 3rd 2011


In light of Darren Ambrose's wonder strike for Crystal Palace to dump Manchester Utd out of the Carling Cup in mid week,  claimed to be the 'best goal Utd have conceded at home', I have decided to give you my most memorable goals of the year. A real feast for the eyes.

Golo Guarin - FC Porto vs Marítimo

Considered by many to be European goal of the year (yes Rooney), the audacity of Guarin to  attempt a strike from such a distance surprises even him when it rockets its way into the top corner. The 84km/h shot was purely unstoppable, and ranks up there with some of the best long range efforts ever seen in world football.  It dipped, it swerved and out maneuvered the keeper to shoot itself right to the top of our list, and deservedly so.

Lionel Messi - FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid

No list would ever be complete without a contribution from the little Argentine, and picking his best goal was a challenge in itself (I nearly went for this beauty against Arsenal). Yet his piece of individual brilliance against Real Madrid in the semi final of the Champions League demonstrated just how good he is. Clearly disinterested in giving Mourinho's men any chance of winning, Messi picks the ball up just inside the opposition half and proceeds to beat 5 Madrid player with consummate ease and cooly slot the ball past a flailing Casillas. Running at world class defenders in one of the biggest games in football never looked so easy as when 'The Magician' decides to get involved. Majestic.

Wayne Rooney - Manchester Utd vs Manchester City

It was always going to be included. THAT Rooney goal as it's often referred to now has become his Cantona moment. In a tight Manchester derby, little looked to separate the 2 teams, but the class of Rooney was the difference between the sides on the day. A good, but not undefendable cross from Nani, looking to fly behind Rooney's head was met with a sailing right foot which sent the ball over a motionless Joe Hart. Like something out of Fifa, Rooney cites the goal as his best ever, and it seems hard to believe he will ever score a more impressive, memorable goal in his career. But there's always time.

Dejan Stankovic - Inter Milan vs Shalke 04

There a number of outrageous own half attempts that go horribly wrong and make players look like arrogant fools. But when they come off, and in the manner of which Stankovic's did against Shalke 04 in the Champions League last season makes it all worth while. After a booming headed clearance from the keeper, he'd probably thought he'd done enough to stem the pressure for the moment But in immediate reply, Stankovic responded with a extraordinary volley from just in side Shalke's half, which flew its way into a empty net. Technically brilliant, the control and confidence needed to smash the ball home remains one of the standout goals from 2010/11 Champions League campaigns.

Sergio Aguero - Manchester City vs Swansea

This may not be the most astonishing goal of 2011, but what is signified was what made it so special. One of the most dazzling debuts in recent memory, Aguero only played the last 25 minutes against Swansea, but managed to notch 2 goals and an assist in that time. Striking fear across the rest of the Premier League, his energy and control was unstoppable, and this goal set to immediately justify his £38 million price tag. He hasn't done bad since either, racking up 12 goals in 18 appearances so far this season, he's sure to score many more great goals as the season progresses.

Andre Iniesta - Barcelona vs Viktoria Plzen

Barcelona could have a goal reel dedicated just to them with the exquisite football they continue to play year in year out.  This goal against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League group stages exemplified everything Barcelona about Barcelona. Quick, one touch passing, fast movement, perfect control and a cool finish. Just oozing with class. Like all of their goals.

Neymar - Santos vs Flamengo

At just 19, the Brazilian striker is already being nicknamed 'The New Pele', and for good reason. His pace, movement, skill and finishing ability are all on clear demonstration with this wonder goal against Flamengo in the Brazilian league. His electrifying speed and unbelievable pieces of skill (check :25 in the video, I still can't figure out how he did it) led to one the best individual goals of the last few years. Unfortunately, however, he's agreed to stay on at Santos until at least 2014, so we won't be seeing him in the Premier League anytime soon, but he'll be high on the priority list of teams across the world.

Giovanni Dos Santos - Mexico vs U.S.A.

The only international goal on the list, Giovanni Dos Santos' inch perfect chip against U.S.A. in this years Gold Cup Final sealed the win in emphatic fashion. In a tight space, surrounded by defenders, Dos Santos managed to carve just a foot of space to slot the ball into the only part of the goal available, looping tantalisingly over the U.S. defender into the top corner. Top marks for innovation, and even better marks its delivery.

Ivan Perisic - Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal

Amongst a host of top Champions League goals, highlighting the calibre of the tournament, Ivan Perisic's last minute equaliser against Arsenal is certainly up there. As Dortmund desperately searched for a point against the Gunners, up stood Perisic to take matters into his own hands, and smash a left footed volley perfectly into the top corner. A stunned Szczesny could do nothing as the ball floated (what seemed like an age) into his path, and with perfect technique, guided the ball home. Unfortunately, it looks like his efforts were futile as Dortmund look pretty certain to sink out of the campaign this year, the strike was admirable nonetheless.

Gareth Bale - Tottenham vs Inter Milan

The performance that put his price tag up £5 million alone, Bale's scintillating hat - trick against Inter Milan in the San Siro was on the most impressive individual performances from a British player abroad in recent memory. Despite scoring 3, almost identical goals, it is his first that was marked the most impressive. Starting from deep inside his own half, Bale made Samuel and Zambrotta, 2 of world football's most experienced defenders look like mere schoolboys, as he breezed past them and harrowed a powerful shot into the bottom corner. The tight angle, the pressure, and the distance he'd covered all contributed to  what was a fantstic effort from the Welshman, and worthy of much more than the consolation it was.

Some that didn't make the cut

Thomas Muller - Bayern Munich vs AS Roma

Eden Hazard - Lille vs Marseille

Heather O' Reilly - U.S.A. vs Columbia

Who makes it to your top 10? Do you agree with this list? I want to know! Make sure to comment with your thoughts and opinions!