Meet Spirit Twin

As Spirit Twin Anna and Allen make shimmering ethereal tunes that will plunge the depths of your soul. Their self-titled release out now is a dark but inviting mystery calling on the listener to look in towards themselves. In our latest interview, we chat with the duo about their creative process, video games, and gear. Check it out.

Two truths and a lie

(Answers at bottom of the article)

Anna:

I’m a Tarot Reader.

I was once stuck inside of the Indiana Jones theme park ride for three hours.

I produced an entire EP on my iPhone.

Allen:

I was born and raised in NYC.

I’m on the list as one of the first participants of Neuralink.

I used to be a Fashion Designer.

Would you rather

be trapped in a dark closet with a swan or a scorpion? Please explain why.

Anna: My dad used to own scorpions when I was growing up and they will literally eat each other. So I think I’m good. I’d rather be trapped in a dark closet with a swan, even if they can be aggressive.

Allen: Swans also symbolize loyalty and beauty. Definitely, a good sign, especially if you’re on the swan's good side!

Some questions with Spirit Twin

You had mentioned in a previous interview that you take musical inspiration from video games. Do you have a top 3 favorite video game soundtracks?

Anna: Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been a huge influence on us, in fact, it inspired our first album and if you listen close, you’ll find many Zelda samples and references hidden within. I also love the soundtracks from both Elder Scrolls Online and Runescape.

Allen: Definitely have to agree with Anna regarding Zelda. It might be our number one source of inspiration. Also the Kingdom Hearts soundtrack really brings me back to my childhood. But honestly, not gonna lie, the Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack really hits.

Where is your favorite venue in NYC to see a show? Why?

Allen: It’s a real shame that so many venues are struggling right now. The future is uncertain, however if there’s one venue that still retains its New York grit it's H0L0. It’s a venue that truly preserves and nurtures the underground.

Anna: TrevorsHaus is one of my favorite venues as it’s one of the few DIY spaces that retains a sense of community and feels like home.

How did you come to find your unique vocal style for Spirit Twin?

Anna: I spent a lot of time experimenting with the TC Helicon. I would loop vocal takes over each other and I started leaning more towards the higher fairy vocals. In a way I created an alter - ego.

Allen: Our voices have always been an important part of this project. Sometimes we’ll have a solo and at times we sing in unison. When we started making music together, Anna and I just truly enjoyed singing with each other.

What is the collaborative process like between the two of you?

Allen: Our process is very collaborative. Sometimes Anna will make a beat and I will add synths to it, or visa versa. I do most of the writing, however, the production side is equally divided.

Anna: Our process is pretty fluid. All of our production comes from our in-home studio, which makes for a more relaxed environment. In that way, I believe there is more room for creativity to come out.

What do you want listeners to take away from your 2020 self-titled release?

Anna: That there is duality inside us all. Real life vs. Fantasy. Bring out the fantasy more often and it will become reality.

Allen: I want listeners to get a sense of who we are by letting them in on our world. That’s why we decided to self-title the album. We felt that it was an opportunity for listeners to catch a vibe and escape into another dimension.

What gear was essential in finding your sound as Spirit Twin?

Anna: The TC Helicon Voicelive Touch 2 is probably one of my most prized possessions. We use this gear for all of our vocals, looping/warping and sampling. The Roland Gaia is also a synth we use often. It has a lot of fairy-like sounds. It’s super versatile.

Allen: The Ableton Push 2 has been key for us too. It’s super intuitive and great for live music. A lot of what we do musically is off the cuff, so it’s good to have gear that works with our spontaneity.

What are your hopes for the post-Covid-19 music scene in Brooklyn?

Anna: I just hope that some of these venues will survive, so that we can bring the community back together. I have a feeling that it will make the scene stronger than ever.

Allen: I think it will be interesting to see how live shows reintegrate into our lives again, considering that virtual shows have become the new norm. I envision virtual shows and virtual reality will play a pivotal role for live entertainment in the future.

Any final comments? (This is your electronic soapbox for one last answer.)

Anna: We have some fun projects that we’re releasing early this Spring. Including a music video and some unexpected collaborations that happened over quarantine. Can’t wait to share it with all of you!

Allen: We also started a Record Label called nexus8, that will act as the mothership for all of our future projects, along with Anna’s solo project Plant Skull and the pop sensation, Ayegy.

Two truths and a lie answer key

Anna:

Truth: I’m a Tarot Reader.

Lie: I was once stuck inside of the Indiana Jones theme park ride for three hours.

Truth: I produced an entire EP on my iPhone.

Allen:

Truth: I was born and raised in NYC.

Lie: I’m on the list as one of the first participants of Neuralink.

Truth: I used to be a Fashion Designer.