Twintapes is bringing something unique and innovative to the music scene. With a sound they describe as a blend of chillwave, and electronica, the duo made up of Pavel Rivera and Jon Estes, are creating a beautiful sonic landscape for the world to hear.
Pavel and Jon always knew they wanted to dedicate their lives to music. After meeting in college, they decided to embark on the musical journey together. They have just released their second self-produced full length album, Pluto, under indie label Yamico Music. Pavel, the group’s lead singer, says “this album is an important transition from [their] previous work” exploring “the boundaries of sounding ‘different’ and yet familiar at the same time.”
The lyrics and sounds in Pluto “were inspired by life in New York…the gritty subway, the chaos, the darkness, social life” but “things such as vocal layering, electronic beats influenced by the underground LA beat scene.” One song that exemplifies this is their current single “Love Angel” and its upcoming music video to be released this month.
When creating a dynamic and original sound, most artists work together in the same studio, but Twintapes isn’t your typical band. The duo produced Pluto from their home studios in separate cities, New York City and Nashville.
Pavel and Jon began their musical journey in New York City back in 2008, where they wrote and produced their first album, Somewhere Down the Road. This album sets the pace for the style that Pavel and Jon have. Somewhere Down the Road cleverly combines vocals reminiscent of the 60s and 70s, and beats that prospered in the 80s.
Even though Jon moved back home to Nashville, Tennessee, after the release of Somewhere Down the Road in November 2009, the pair remained close friends and still had an overwhelming desire to produce music together. They continued to collaborate and write music despite the physical distance between them, and the result was their celebrated sophomore album titled Pluto.
Twintapes’ distinctive, dreamy and nostalgic sound can be attributed to the twosome’s diverse taste and upbringing in music. Pavel is originally from the Dominican Republic, where Caribbean rhythms thrive. A native of Tennessee, Jon grew up surrounded by country music. A seamless blend of american heart with dominican soul, complemented by a healthy portion of 80s Synth is at the core of Twintapes’ eclectic inspiration.
For the last three years, Twintapes has been exclusively delivering their music online through social media. This unique strategy has allowed the duo to harness the power of the Internet to gain an impressive following of loyal listeners throughout the globe. By producing their own videos and posting them online on streaming platforms, and by producing collaborations with other well-known digital artists and celebrities, Twintapes has gained millions of online views and critical accolades.
With newfound confidence and the release of their most recent self-produced album, Pluto, Twintapes is looking to go beyond viral and connect with a broader fan base. With the aid of social media and word of mouth, Twintapes will take the music industry by storm. After years of dedication and effort, Twintapes is a force ready to innovate music today.
