Twerps (band)

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Twerps
Twerps live.jpg
Twerps performing live at Primavera Sound, Portugal, 2015
Background information
Origin Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres Indie rock, jangle pop, lo-fi, dolewave
Years active2008–2018
Labels Chapter Music, Merge Records
Past membersMartin Frawley
Rick Milovanovic
Julia MacFarlane
Patrick O'Neill
Alex Macfarlane
Angus Lord
Jazper Doak Stride

Twerps was an Australian indie pop band, formed in Melbourne in 2008.

Contents

History

Twerps formed in late 2008 as a "creative outgrowth" of Martin Frawley and Julia MacFarlane's relationship. [1] The band developed a jangly pop sound similar to that of Dick Diver and other contemporaries in the Melbourne indie scene, which subsequently became known as dolewave. Within months of forming, Twerps had already supported international touring groups such as Deerhunter, Yo La Tengo and Oh Sees.

Released by Chapter Music in 2011, the band's self-titled debut LP was favourably received by critics, earning a 7.9 from Pitchfork , which stated that the album is characterised by "excellent melodies, simple guitar lines, and simple lyrics that imply something urgent or devastating". [2] Pitchfork also named the album's closer "Coast to Coast" as a Best New Track, making Twerps the third Australian band to earn the award after Cut Copy and Tame Impala. [3]

In the lead-up to the release of their sophomore LP Range Anxiety, the band recruited Angus Lord and Alex MacFarlane from dolewave band the Stevens, who joined as replacements on bass and drums, respectively. The album led to an international tour and various festival appearances.

Twerps played their final show in November 2017 and released their last song, "It's Time", the following year. They quietly disbanded soon after. [1] Despite breaking up, Frawley is hopeful of a reunion at some point, stating, "One of my favourite records by The Go-Betweens is The Friends of Rachel Worth , which is their comeback ... I want to make music with Jules again [someday]". [1]

Members

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected details
TitleDetails
Twerps
  • Released: 2011
  • Format: CD, Digital
  • Label: Chapter Music (CH91)
Range Anxiety
  • Released: 2015
  • Format: CD, Digital, LP
  • Label: Chapter Music (CH122)

Extended plays

List of Extended plays, with selected details
TitleDetails
The Twerps
  • Released: 2009
  • Format: CD, Digital, 7" LP
  • Label: Chapter Music (CH77)
Underlay
  • Released: 2014
  • Format: CD, Digital, 12" LP
  • Label: Chapter Music (CH120)

Awards and nominations

EG Awards / Music Victoria Awards

The EG Awards (known as Music Victoria Awards since 2013) are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2012 [4] [5] TwerpsBest AlbumNominated
"Dreamin'"Best SongNominated
TwerpsBest BandNominated
TwerpsOutstanding Achievement By a Victorian ArtistNominated
2015 [6] [7] TwerpsBest BandNominated

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Wallen, Doug (November 2018). "Martin Frawley Is Forging A New Path Post Twerps", LNWY. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  2. Minsker, Evan (20 October 2011). "Twerps", Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  3. Douglas, Martin (10 November 2011). "Coast to Coast", Pitchfork. Retrieved 15 July 2020.
  4. "EG Awards 2012 Announce Nominations, Induct Weddings, Parties, Anything". Tone Deaf. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  5. "The Temper Trap, Oh Mercy Win EG Awards". noise11. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
  6. "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  7. "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.