Twin XL (band)

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Twin XL
From left to right: Cameron Walker-Wright, John Gomez and Stephen Gomez
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, United States
Genres
Years active2017–present
Labels
  • Position Music[3]
  • The Century Family
Members

Twin XL is an American synthpop band and supergroup that originated in Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2017, the original members of the band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Cameron Walker-Wright, guitarist John Gomez and bassist Stephen Gomez.[4] The band is joined by drummer Brennan Benko who originally was a touring member until being an official member of the group in 2021. As of 2019, their music has garnered over 3 million streams.[5]

History[edit]

Twin XL originally formed in 2017 by Cameron Walker, who was a part of synth-pop band Nekokat and brothers John and Stephen Gomez who are also a part of pop rock band The Summer Set.[3] The group met over a decade ago playing in different bands and in early 2017, they met at a LA house party and decided to try a day in the studio together thus forming the band.[6][7] According to singer Cameron Walker, guitarist John Gomez had thought of the name Twin XL.[1] Throughout their time as a group, they have opened for bands such as, iDKHOW and The Maine.[8][9]

The group released their debut single "Good" in October 2018.[10] It is the band's first song to hit the charts peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and number 43 on the Rock & Alternative Airplay chart.[9] Their debut EP How to Talk to Strangers was released on March 1, 2019.[2] Two other singles were released from the EP: "Sunglasses" and "Friends".[11][12] In support of the EP, the group joined Jukebox the Ghost and the Mowgli's on a spring tour in 2019.[13]

The group joined Fitz and the Tantrums on the "All the Feels Tour" in early 2020.[14] After the release of their EP, they have released multiple singles and collaborated with artists such as, American Teeth and Little Hurt. Brennan Benko started off as a session and touring drummer for the band until it was later revealed on Twitter that he officially joined the group in 2021.[15][16] In 2021, they released their second EP Slow Heart (Reimagined) which included the single "Slow Heart".[17] Additionally, the group also released an online video game for the song.[18] In 2022, the group released two singles, "Upgrade" featuring American pop rock band Dreamers and "Seasonal Depression". The band released their debut studio album, Hyperfantasia on May 19, 2023.[19] The group also released the lead single from the album, "Animal" on April 21, 2023.[20] The album contains previous singles such as "Problematic" and "Lemonade".

Their music has been featured in commercials and trailers for networks such as Disney and ABC.[21]

Musical style and influences[edit]

The group cites inspiration from bands such as, Foster the People, Chvrches, MGMT and The Cure.[22] Walker-Wright stated that those bands influenced their synth and poppy sound.[23] The group also stated that they write and produce the music themselves.[5][23] Their musical style has been described as, alternative pop,[1] indie pop,[24][25] synthpop, and rock.[2]

Band members[edit]

Current members

  • Cameron Walker – lead vocals, guitar (2018–present)
  • John Gomez – guitar, backing vocals (2018–present)
  • Stephen Gomez – bass, synthesizers (2018–present)
  • Brennan Benko – drums, percussion (2021–present)

Former touring members

  • Dave Briggs – drums, percussion (2018–2019)[23]
  • Kyle Rodgers – drums, percussion (2020)

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

List of albums
Title Details
Hyperfantasia

Extended plays[edit]

List of extended plays
Title Details
How to Talk to Strangers
  • Released: March 1, 2019
  • Label: Position Music
  • Format: Digital download
Slow Heart (Reimagined)
  • Released: July 23, 2021
  • Label: The Century Family
  • Format: Digital download

Singles[edit]

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Single Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt

[27]
US
Rock

[28]
"Good"[29] 2018 24 43 How to Talk to Strangers
"Sunglasses"[11]
"Friends"[12] 2019
"Messy"[9] Non-album singles
"Melt"[30] 2020
"Problematic"[31] Hyperfantasia
"Lemonade"[32]
"Lonely"[33]
(Featuring Little Hurt and Rad Horror)
2021 Non-album single
"Slow Heart"[34] Slow Hearts (Reimagined)
"Upgrade"[35]
(Featuring Dreamers)
2022 Hyperfantasia
"Seasonal Depression"[36]
"Animal" 2023
"FBI"[37]
(Featuring Bohnes)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

As featured artists[edit]

Single Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Alt

[27]
US
Rock

[28]
"Barred Out"[38]
(American Teeth featuring Twin XL)
2020 We Should Be Having Fun
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Promotional singles[edit]

Title Year Album
"Neon Summer"[2] 2019 How to Talk to Strangers

Tours[edit]

Opening act[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Twin XL: Five Names and Meaningful Pop Songs Hit the Road". Retrieved May 31, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Twin XL release debut EP How To Talk To Strangers". 2 March 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Twin XL". Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  4. ^ "Twin XL – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Carson Mlnarik (November 19, 2019). "Twin XL Have Alt-Pop Anthems For All Your Good and Messy Nights". MTV. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Gina Scarpino (November 10, 2019). "Get To Know: Twin XL". Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  7. ^ My Nguyen (26 December 2019). "Twin XL Shows a Different Side With Good (Stripped)". Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Collin Goeman (May 22, 2019). "iDKHOW Extend "Night Heat" Tour With Summer Dates". Alternative Press. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c Kevin Rutherford (November 11, 2019). "Twin XL Get a Little 'Messy' in New Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  10. ^ Madison Ciere Convey (October 11, 2018). "Twin XL – Good". Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Spotify - Sunglasses". Spotify. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  12. ^ a b @wearetwinxl (February 8, 2019). "Friends is officially available on all streaming services. Our first EP How To Talk To Strangers will be released March 1st. Thank you for being here. - Ł" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  13. ^ a b Jennifer Dill (February 8, 2019). "TWIN XL release third single Friends and Announce EP". Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  14. ^ a b Jennifer Dill (September 20, 2019). "Twin XL Announced As Support for Fitz and the Tantrums All The Feels Tour". Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  15. ^ "Brennan Benko Session Drummer". Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  16. ^ @wearetwinxl (April 1, 2021). "We have some very pleasant news. Everybody please welcome Brennan Benko as an official member of TWIN XL (Brennan doesn't have Twitter) - Ł" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "Slow Heart (Reimagined) - EP by Twin XL". Apple Music. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  18. ^ Kristy Rose (August 14, 2021). "A talk with LA rock band TWIN XL". Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  19. ^ @wearetwinxl (April 11, 2023). "We're back. Our debut album Hyperfantasia comes out 5/19. You cool with that?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ @wearetwinxl (April 12, 2023). "Animal The new mega hit single by the band Twin XL comes out next Friday. Is this okay with you?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ "Indie Spotlight: Twin XL". January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Twin XL to Join The Maine on Nationwide Tour This Fall". August 14, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  23. ^ a b c Roman Gokhman (July 20, 2020). "Interview: Twin XL rides 'Good' vibes all the way to a new act for its career musicians". Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  24. ^ Adam Grundy (March 16, 2021). "Interview: Cameron Walker of Twin XL". Chorus.fm.
  25. ^ Alex Bear (March 11, 2019). "Twin XL". idobi Radio. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
  26. ^ "Hyperfantasia - Album by Twin XL". Apple Music. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Twin XL Chart History: Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Twin XL Chart History: Rock & Alternative Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  29. ^ Allison Stubblebine. "Twin XL's Debut Single is Very Very Good". Nylon. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  30. ^ Maria Serra (May 28, 2020). "See Twin XL take Melt to the next level without being in the same room". Alternative Press. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  31. ^ Logan White (July 27, 2020). "Twin XL Release Brand New Single, Problematic". Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Lemonade - Single by Twin XL". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  33. ^ "Lonely - Single by Twin XL, Little Hurt and Rad Horror". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "Slow Heart - Single by Twin XL". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Upgrade - Single by Twin XL". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  36. ^ "Seasonal Depression - Single by Twin XL". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
  37. ^ @wearetwinxl (May 9, 2023). "FBI Featuring. @bohnes// 5/19 Are you ready?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  38. ^ "Barred Out (feat. Twin XL) - Single by American Teeth". Apple Music. Retrieved January 1, 2023.