Reflective Lyrics and Raw Talent: Inside Josh Dawes' 'Twins Sport'

The idea for Twins Sport emerged at the end of 2019. The band’s founder, Josh Dawes decided to transition from years of playing bass in Flyying Colours to starting his own project, taking on the roles of guitarist, singer, and sole songwriter. The global events of 2020 and 2021 delayed the formation of a full band, leading him to write and record songs independently during this period.

The name 'Twins Sport' was inspired by a blend of influences. Josh had a fondness for the sounds of sports club names encountered while playing FIFA, such as Club Athletic and Sporting Lisbon. Eventually, the name 'Twins Sport' was formed by combining these influences with a song titled 'Twins'.

Twins Sport is just a name I’d thrown around for a while

The musical journey of Josh began in the early teens with a deep interest in nu-metal. This was followed by a discovery of grunge bands like The Vines and Queens of the Stone Age. However, the turning point came with the purchase of Blur's "The Great Escape", which truly captivated him and steered his musical direction. This album opened the door to a world of English music, leading him to bands like Happy Mondays, My Bloody Valentine, and Ride. These English sounds significantly influenced his style, complemented by local influences such as Eddy Current and Peep Tempel.

Twins Sport’s music is known for its storytelling. One track, in particular, "State Lines", holds a special place in Josh's heart. This reflective song narrates his journey and progression to where he is today. Leaving home for Melbourne after finishing school, he faced challenges in making friends and finding his place. The metaphor of not being able to swim symbolises his feeling of always being slightly behind in life, yet steadily growing into his own skin.

Like any band, Twins Sport has faced its share of challenges. One significant hurdle has been coordinating practice sessions where every band member is available. With friends reaching an age where other commitments arise, finding a consistent lineup has been tough. Despite this, Josh considers himself fortunate to have a network of musical friends who can step in when needed.

The idea of incorporating visual elements into live shows intrigues Josh. He envisions using projections to enhance the live performance experience in pub settings. While he hasn’t actively pursued this yet, it remains a potential area for exploration. Musically, he acknowledges his unconventional songwriting process, which involves a lot of experimentation and gradual development. This approach might not align well with traditional collaboration methods, but it’s an integral part of his creative process.

Live performances are a crucial aspect of Twins Sport’s identity.

Jimmy who plays drums is a machine, he’s tight and loud

Jimmy's commitment, forms the backbone of their live shows. While Josh doesn’t engage much in between-song banter, he strives to make any interactions honest and relevant to the music, contributing to an authentic live experience.

When it comes to offering advice to aspiring musicians, Josh believes in the power of constant practice and authenticity.

I will say in my experience from when I was playing bass for some amazing song writers. The best songwriters usually didn’t know the name of the chord they were playing, any theory or technical understanding of what they did. Almost everyone I played with when I lasted one year at music school sucked. No soul, just finger tapping and tossing off.

Josh encourages budding musicians to play as much as possible and focus on their unique artistic vision rather than getting bogged down by technicalities.