Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks has one defining ethos and it’s to keep pushing. They’ve embraced change
ever since their 2010 formation as high school friends making scrappy basement rock
‘n’ roll to now cementing their status as one of Chicago’s most essential bands. Where
their last LP, 2016’s Down In Heaven, and 2017’s Sweet ‘17 Singles compilation were
adventurous and compelling updates on their youthfully raucous formula, their fourth
album Lookout Low feels like a total revolution.

Already a well-oiled live unit, the band set on capturing the thrilling vibe of their shows.
The five of them, guitarists Cadien Lake James and Clay Frankel, bassist Jack Dolan,
multi-instrumentalist Colin Croom, and drummer Connor Brodner committed to work
countless hours in their studio and practice space. The band had never attempted
anything that daunting before, demoing 27 songs and relentlessly rehearsing them until
they were satisfied. “We wanted to hold ourselves to practice almost every day and be
tight to hone in on these songs,” says Dolan.

Having the entire band in the same room so frequently allowed for new experiments.
“This was the most collaborative it’s ever been for us. We wanted to try all the weird
ideas and be as open as possible,” says Brodner. Take lead single “Dance Through It.”
What originally started as a demo the band jokingly claims evoked Sheryl Crow, it
revealed itself when Croom suggested a drastic change in the rhythm section, infusing
the arrangement with a gospel and soul-inflected swing. Because the band was willing
to reimagine the song from its original vision, the result is one of the most obvious
highlights on Lookout Low. When James sings the track’s chorus, backed by gang vocal
harmonies, it might be the catchiest hook Twin Peaks have ever written. “There’s no
ringleader in how we write songs. Things would be a lot easier if there was one guy
calling the shots but we really put an effort to make it work and make everyone happy,”
says Frankel.

After whittling 27 songs down to just a handful, the band knew that the tracks deserved
a more ambitious strategy that called for outside help. When legendary producer Ethan
Johns showed interest, they took a leap and decamped to Monnow Valley Studio in
Wales for three weeks. "Twin Peaks are the best Rock and Roll band I've heard for a
very long time,” said Johns. "Not only do they have something to say, they do it
honestly, and with dedication and passion.”

The feeling was mutual. Twin Peaks knew and admired him for his work with Paul
McCartney, Kings of Leon, and U2, “When we knew he cut everything live, it was
intimidating but so exciting. We needed a challenge,” says James. At Monnow Valley,
they thrived on the thrill of live recording, often just going with the magic of the original
first take like on “Oh Mama” and the title track. The life-affirming burst of adrenaline that
Twin Peaks give their live show is their strongest asset, one that seeps into every facet
of the LP.

Doors - 19:30

Deeper - 20:00

Twin Peaks - 21:00

Curfew - 23:00