Shook Twins' grainy video footage shows blonde identical twin girls, Laurie and Katelyn Shook, at the age of maybe 8 or 9, dancing and singing in the backyard. Then they focus on the camera, their voices in control as they sing "Nothing Compares to You." Most kids at that age butcher songs. These girls owned it.
This is the catching clip in a Kickstarter Campaign that netted the girls more than $26,000 to record their next album at Bear Creak Studios with Ryan Hadlock (Lumineers, Milo Greene).
"It was so helpful and inspiring to get that Kickstarter love as soon a we went into the studio," said Katelyn. "It was a tangible representation of the support that we have out there."
The Portland-based, Idaho-born lovelies are fresh off their Midwest tour and are bringing their music to the Olympia Ballroom for a night of bluegrass/rock/funk you won't forget.
"This duet is well suited to meet the demand for quirky new music," reads a review from SSGmusic.com. "The music is genuinely good, and isn't a gimmick. These girls and their band have a wonderful sound and are talented musicians worth seeing."
While talent is no question, their niche seems to be their creative use of instrumentation, which includes banjo, guitar, electric and upright bass, mandolin, electric guitar, electronic drums, beat box, glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo drumming and their signature golden egg.
Another signature item: the girls' old-fashioned telephone mic.
The use of unique instruments is a mirror to the nature of the twins, who readily crack jokes, goof off and have fun.
"Our playful side of the music keeps a balance of lights and darks, ebbs and flows. We live very wonderful fortunate lives, so we write mostly about that. We happen to love our jobs, and that comes through," said Katelyn.
Shook Twins performance will be a perfect accompaniment to Olympia lady Kendl Winter, known for her solo gems of loop pedal, guitar and banjo.
"We are thrilled to get to play the Olympia Ballroom and with Kendl Winter to boot. She is a homie," said Katelyn, "We've heard such grand things about your town and we are honored to share our music."
SHOOK TWINS, w/Kendle Winter, 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8, Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way, Olympia, $10, $8 student at brownpapertickets
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