Middle Twin releases new EP, shows at Bottleneck tonight and Riot Room on Friday

A lot of ear-appeasing things are coming out of Lawrence, and one of the newest and most noteworthy is the electro-pop five-piece Middle Twin. Not so long ago, the band had a slightly different lineup and performed under the name Brain Food. Now, with bassist Jon Fitzgerald and a new drummer Isaac Flynn – who have been with the band since August – Middle Twin is debuting a new sound on its EP City of Gold.

“We really started recording it [the EP] last fall, as soon as we changed the band name. We’ve been working on a couple of those songs for about a year,” guitarist Eric Davis says over the phone. “I think we’re definitely more mature songwriters. Maybe that’s from changing names or identities. I felt like we were already writing really different songs. I think we started moving away from electronica and toward more pop structures.”

On the album, lead singer Demi Renault’s razor-sharp vocals cut through a sophisticated assembly of synths, keys and electronic drumbeats. Renault occasionally shares singing duties with Joel Martin, who soothes and calms when Renault pushes and drives.

“Demi sings most of the songs now,” Davis says. “Back in the day, it was a lot closer to 50/50. I think it’s always something where since Joel is the primary songwriter, I think it’s always good to have him sing every now and then. Especially if there’s a song that’s good for him and his range.” 

You’ll have the chance to hear Middle Twin exhibit all that it has been working on at the band’s EP release shows tonight at the Bottleneck with Forrester and Friday, March 28, at the Riot Room. If you can’t make either of those gigs, fret not: Middle Twin has an excellent new music video.