We catch up with Twin Atlantic ahead of Belladrum 2024 and ask them a few questions.
FROM THE EDITOR – We really do appreciate all your support, if you like what we do please share this article and tag us, we are on Facebook @IGigs Instagram @igi.gs, TikTok @i_gigs, and X @invernessGiG. You can even BUY US A COFFEE if you are really kind.
It’s been 11 years since (really!!!) you last headlined the Garden Stage, how has the band evolved since then and if you could travel back in time and speak to the band at that time what advice would you give them?
That’s amazing. We are so lucky to have been making music and touring for all these years and we really don’t take it for granted these days. We’ve evolved in so many different ways personally and musically that we could have a whole other interview about it but the advice I would maybe give is – you’re right just keep being yourself and don’t worry or stress so much about everything just relax and enjoy it all.
Was trying to find the setlist for your 2008 gig at Bella (you can read about the gig here), but failed miserably, do you have any memories of that gig?
Yeah we do – it’s one of our most recalled memories from the early years of the band. Mainly what I wore. Head to toe yellow. I had a theory that we needed to stand out and cause we didn’t have any songs that anyone knew yet at least that image would be burned into their memories haha.
We mainly played songs from our EP a guidance from colour… we probably only played for 30 mins but it’s become a legendary half hour in the bands history. We weren’t really expecting an audience and I don’t think the festival was either so having to tell the whole audience to sit down or the show was being pulled was quite a crazy moment.
Twin has always been known for its ability to change and evolve, how does that process work, is it conscious or a natural development?
I really feel proud that we’re known for that so thank you, it was one of our main goals when we started the band to evolve and be honest with our songwriting and creative ideas. So in some ways it is conscious but the actual music we create and the themes to our albums is a really natural development to be honest. We don’t really decide a sub genre of guitar music before we start or anything we just follow a feeling and experiment and let the whole thing take shape.
You have had such a positive relationship with the Highlands, whether it’s seeing you develop to be headliners at Belladrum or the so very emotional last gig at the Ironworks, why do you think you have such a positive link with the area?
We really do feel that way too from our perspective which is awesome. I’m not 100% sure why but maybe just the effort we’ve put in to coming to the Highlands is met with respect and also it’s do where that’s given us so many firsts. First time playing to 1000 people, first festival appearance, first headline festival appearance – also the people who run the shows and venues are so kind and have become genuine friends over the years so it’s a mutual tying.
With “Meltdown” on the horizon, how are you feeling about the new material including the response to recently released ‘Sorry’, and in particular how it differs from “Transparency”?
We feel great about it all. We’ve been through the process of making and releasing albums a few times now so it’s something we’ve adapted to. Learned to switch off to outside noise more. It is a very very different album from transparency mainly due to the circumstances of how both were made. The coolest thing for me is it’s the first album we’ve produced and engineered on our own so even that feels like the album is a victory in that basis alone
As the Belladrum theme is love this year and at the same time the festival celebrities its 20th year, some questions relating to both,
What music were you into in 2004?
Californian rock music… mainstream rap and pop.
Which is your favourite love song (s) and why?
Bruce Springsteen ‘Born to Run’ and Pearl Jam ‘Just Breathe’ – just how much emotion is poured into the lyrics and imagery speaks to me
Relating to your musical careers, what are your biggest loves?
Hearing fans sing our songs back to us louder than the PA… and my gretsch guitars ha.
If you could travel back to 2004, what would you say to your past self?
You’re not going to believe this…
Twin Atlantic headline the Garden Stage on Saturday and you can keep track of the band here.
