Twins of a Gazelle

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Twins of a Gazelle is another project by versatile D.C. composer Dave Mann. Constellations is their first release, and the only track available for licensing at this time from Twins of a Gazelle.

Washington D.C. based “indie pop orchestra,” Twins of a Gazelle are a group of 25 roving musicians (half of which are classically trained), taking their cues from 90’s alternative rock and drawing influence from newer acts like Broken Social Scene, The Polyphonic Spree, Beirut and Arcade Fire. Led by Dave Mann, Twins of a Gazelle initially started off as a two person project and has now evolved into a sometimes sprawling company of artists, further paralleling the Canadian music collectives, they derive their inspiration from.

Twins of a Gazelle originated out of Sweet Tea Pumpkin, another “indie rock orchestra,” with Mann creating the Twins during the Spring of 2010 and enlisted the help of former Mittenfields band member, Emily Chimiak.

With Mann taking on the duties as the Twins primary song writer and lead vocalist of the group, he finds that juggling the demands of a traditional 9-5 job lends itself to the songwriting process, noting, “everything that is poured out of my head (lyrics) or that is playing through my fingers comes from living daily life.”

The song “Constellations” is a prime example of Mann’s duall life as working stiff and musician. Initially written five years earlier in 2005, he crafted the song while based in Norfolk, Virginia as a Navy photographer. A few years later Mann introduced the foundation of the song to Mittenfields.  Now enters Chimiak’s sweet and whispery vocals coupled with stunning arrangements come to fruition on “Constellations,” a fully fleshed and orchestrated indie pop ballad. Recorded in May 2010 at the Art Institute of Recording, with an abbreviated version of the full Twins of Gazelle (plus a few friends helped out as well) lineup; the band worked with Andrew Gray to perfect “Constellations.”

Audiences can expect the Twins live show to be all about showcasing the talents of this troupe of classically trained instrumentalists including Mann’s primary group of ten collaborators including Jessica Eley (cello/vocals), David Epley (guitars/banjo/vocals), Amanda Teuscher (keyboards/accordian), Grace Kendall (hammered dulcimer/ukulele), Jay Ayers (trumpet), VJ Hyde (drums/guitars/autoharp//vocals) and Caleb Astey (bass/guitars/keys, vocals). Twins of Gazelle are also relying on a violin section consisting of Matthew Malamud and Nefra Faltas (who is now sharing lead vocals with Mann). The “core” of the band is likely to grow with the addition of more sun and water.

While, Chimiak no is longer technically with the Twins, Mann considers her an integral part of their collective. When Twins re-enters the studio, Mann plans on having a heavier hand to record their upcoming full length, hoping to construct a lush, textual sound, comprised of layered instrumentation incorporating the talents of this ensemble of musicians.