Music has always been a part of life for twin sisters Carmen and Camille Thomas who grew up in White Rock singing in a church choir, playing in school bands and performing in local festivals even as young girls.
The now twenty-something pop duo Carmen and Camille are shining in the spotlight with a recent Juno nomination for Dance Recording of the Year for Shine 4U, a beat-driven club hit off their debut album Two.
“That song we were like ‘Let’s just write a fun song,’” says Carmen. “It’s kind of about going out and not knowing where the night will end and meeting someone. A night out on the town.”
Camille is a Vancouver Community College graduate of the jazz vocal program and says it laid down the foundation for the duo’s songwriting. Both girls play flute and guitar, write their own music and lyrics together and even share the singing duties.
“We try and keep it pretty even,” Camille says of who takes the role of lead vocalist. “Because we’re twins and we have to share everything, it works out best that way. It keeps the fighting to a minimum.”
“I do more of the harmonies,” Carmen says. “We call them the ‘Carmenies.’”
Shine 4U was co-written with Ryan Stewart who is nominated for a Juno for Songwriter of the Year.
The twins are up against acclaimed DJ and producer Deadmau5, as well as Doman and Gooding featuring Dru & Lincoln, Misstress Barbara and Thunderheist in the dance song category.
Shine 4U has seen national radio airplay landing on Top-40 charts, and Carmen and Camille are currently in rotation on Much Music.
Several tracks off their album have also been featured on MTV reality show The Hills.
Carmen and Camille have toured extensively in support of Two and moved to L.A. last fall to begin recording demos for their follow-up single Boom Boom.
They describe their sound as carefree and fun, music that “doesn’t take life so seriously.” Camille says they often write about boys or boy problems, relationships and personal experiences in their lives.
“I find that when life is in turmoil it’s easier to write songs,” Carmen says. “Yeah, a lot of guy songs.”
Carmen and Camille will be heading east to St. Johns, Nfld., for the Juno awards ceremony on April 18 where the winners will be announced.
Citing bands like No Doubt and Heart as influences, and Gwen Stefani who Carmen calls her hero, the twins say they are heading into a more electro-dance direction with new songs for their next album.
Catch the action
The 2010 Juno’s air April 18 on CTV.
