INTERVIEW: New music from Two Weeks In Nashville

Hailing from the south-east of the UK, Two Weeks In Nashville, also known as TWIN, is an indie rock trio making an impact with a modern twist on a classic sound. Known for their energetic live performances, infectious guitar riffs and a nostalgic nod to the rock era of the 70s, TWIN is fast becoming one of the most exciting bands on the indie scene.

Formed in 2019, the band found their identity and their name during a pivotal two-week trip to Nashville, Tennessee, a journey that helped crystallise their sound and set them on a path to success. The band, featuring Billy on vocals and guitar, Marc on guitar and Ian on drums, are signed to Purple Heart Records and first made their mark in 2020 with the release of their debut single, “Lyrical Graffiti,” returning in 2022 with sophomore outing “Money Maker” and their debut full-length record, Paper Planes and Razor Blades.

Since then they’ve shared more singles and two further albums while clocking millions of streams of their music online. Bringing their music alive on stage, the band has played several sold-out headline shows and supported artists like The Hoosiers, Tom Grennan, Supergrass, Razorlight and The Boomtown Rats.

Now, Two Weeks In Nashville are opening a thrilling new chapter with the recording of their latest record, Working At The Speed Of Thought. In a pioneering move, TWIN is documenting the recording process in real time, inviting fans to be part of the journey in a concept they’ve dubbed “crowd-sounding.” This unique approach gives fans direct input into the creative process, allowing them to contribute ideas, lyrics and even feedback on songs as they’re being written.

Watch the first part of the documentary series below

This innovative method can be seen in the lead single “Life Will Go On,” where fan contributions helped shape the chorus. The lead single from the forthcoming album presents a breezy indie rock jam full of shuffling rhythms, intricate guitar flourishes and expressive vocals that bend from bouncy flows to elegant melodic flutters, resulting in a truly charming slice of instantly catchy indie rock music.

TWIN’s willingness to challenge traditional norms and blur the lines between artist and audience speaks to their forward-thinking ethos. By inviting fans into their world and encouraging collaboration, they’re redefining what it means to be an independent artist in 2024 and we can’t wait to see what lies ahead for this daring indie act on the rise.

We caught up with Two Weeks In Nashville to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new single “Life Will Go On” and what their upcoming album has in store. Check out our interview with Two Weeks In Nashville below.

Hey guys, how’s things?

Couldn’t be better! Thank you for having us.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

From a very young age, 3 or 4, I remember always putting on a show with my brother and sister around the house. Singing at the top of our voices and dancing to whatever mum and dad would be playing on the stereo in the kitchen! Nothing’s really changed since tbh.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

Growing up I would have to say the Australian band, Jet, and The Rolling Stones. They really got me into rock music and performing! However, more recently I’ve been loving and inspired by Morgan Wallen, P!nk, Wallows, Cage The Elephant, and Theo Katzman. Super unique journeys that they’ve crafted musically and visually backed up by electric performances live.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Inspiration can strike in many forms and at random times. Usually when I’ve experienced something in my personal life or a story that a friend has told me about what they’ve been going through. I love creating a narrative in my lyrics.

What’s been your highlight of the year so far?

A highlight would have to be a few weeks ago when we played a sold out hometown show and a girl called, Mads, who’s been coming to our shows over the last few years, gifted us with a handmade, bespoke, TWIN glass bottle with our names, lights and set list printed on! Craziness. It’s centre stage on our mantelpiece as we speak. What a legend!

What do you love about the UK music scene?

That’s a tough one tbh. I think some positives would be the raw energy and particularly in the North of the UK, the support and positivity for live music is still so strong.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I would say on a roadtrip in a big truck or convertible sports car, driving through America or Canada.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

A dream collaboration that springs to mind would be with local legend and hero, Con Cook! His flow and lyrics are impeccable. I think we could really do some damage together on a track!

How did you find making your new single “Life Will Go On”?

Making ‘Life Will Go On’ was such a fun process! Really in the moment and off the cuff. It’s been the first single from the new record and first track that’s been fully self produced, mixed and mastered which has been a great experience and learning curve! We really enjoyed having no boundaries and being able to be ourselves and make our own decisions, mostly mistakes! We also collabed with our audience on Instagram to help decide on the chorus lyric and keyboard parts on the track! This was a totally new process for us but definitely one we want to experiment more with whilst making the new album. So, defo follow us on socials to get involved and have your say on the music!

What message did you want to get across with this release?

It’s a song inspired by escaping the concrete jungle and a serious relationship for a more chilled, peaceful time in the South of Spain. A reminder that at the end of the day, happiness is paramount and life does really just continue to go on. It seems to be connecting with people, we hope that it gives listeners an escape to a warmer place!

What can fans expect from your upcoming album ‘Working At The Speed Of Thought’?

You can expect a lot of fun, energy and new ideas on this new album. We’re currently working on it and documenting the whole process that you can follow on our YouTube channel. We’re doing it all ourselves this time, so there might be some unexpected turns at times! It’s gonna be a ride!!

What’s the main goal of documenting making the album and sharing an inside look with everyone?

The main goal behind documenting this new album is to break down the barriers of the traditional, “closed off” music industry. We want to share our writing, recording and release process openly with our followers and let them be a part of the journey.

How has giving fans access to your creation process changed your approach?

For this record we’re purposefully working fast, as the title suggests, so we aren’t sitting on our hands or ideas for long, we’re cracking on and making final decisions in the moment. This is usually how we write our music but never how we record our music! It’s a new approach and with the added element of viewers choosing certain elements of the tracks, the creative process has new elements too! We’re very much learning as we go.

Is this approach going to result in a different record than you might have otherwise made?

Yes definitely! Songs are taking on lives of their own and going down paths we wouldn’t usually dare to go down. We’re loving it so far and we’re enjoying not having any pressure to go down any particular route.

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Recently I’ve been loving the band COIN and their new album. They’re an indie three piece from Nashville, so not a million miles away! And I’ve been listening to a lot of Theo Katzman. His last record was all recorded live and it’s super inspiring, the guy’s a genius! Have to see him live.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

We hope and would love listeners to have a sense of release and escape whilst listening to our music and switch off from the busyness and chaos of the world around them. In general our music carries a very positive and inclusive message.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

I think I speak for us all that playing Glastonbury Festivals’ Pilton Party last year has to be up there! To be on the same stage as Arlo Parks and The Streets is pretty wild!! It was a mad 24hrs for sure.

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

I think Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado would be a cool location! And artists wise… The Who with Keith Moon on drums, The Police and Tina Turner. I think at this rate it’s looking like they’ll have to be tribute acts!

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

I would say there’s no set route to follow. Just stay true to yourself, be kind and enjoy the process!

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2024?

We have a lot of work to do! We need to get this album finished and documented, which is quite a process that I think we underestimated! Then we have our final three shows of the year. We’re playing in Orpington at MooseFest on 2nd November, The Crown in East Grinstead on 8th November and the Oval Tavern in Croydon on 22nd November. Can’t wait, we love the end of year shows before Christmas! Thank you so much for the conversation.

Listen to Life Will Go On below