Born and raised in Sandpoint Idaho, Shook Twins are an Indie folk-pop band now hailing from coniferous forested Portland, Oregon. Identical twins, Katelyn and Laurie Shook, Kyle Volkman and Niko Daoussis form the core quartet. Central elements of the Shook Twins' sound are a wide range of instrumentation, including banjo, guitar, electric and upright bass, mandolin, electric guitar, electronic drums, face drum (beatbox), glockenspiel, ukulele, banjo drumming and their signature golden EGG. Beautiful twin harmonies, layered upon acoustic and electric instrumentation coupled with Laurie’s inventive use of percussive and ambient vocal loops, and Katelyn’s repurposed telephone microphone, set their sound apart, creating a unique and eccentric blend of folk, roots, groove and soul.
The twins are the main songwriters but they have recently started backing up their band members, Niko Daoussis (Cyber Camel) and Anna Tivel (Anna and the Underbelly) and adding their stunning songs to the mix.
Each Shook Twins song tells a story, distinctive, sharp, genuine, and well – sometimes quirky. Drawing from their life experience, select subjects include, being potters’ daughters, imagined superpowers and a chicken named ‘Rose’ they befriended. Shook Twins also pull out unexpected takes on classic hits, retellings of their musician friends’ songs, heartfelt ballads and rhythm driven dance numbers.
After releasing their first album "You Can Have the Rest," the twin sisters moved to Portland in December of 2009, conceptualizing their 2011 release "Window" (featuring Bonnie Paine and Bridget Law of Elephant Revival). Both albums were recorded and produced in Santa Cruz, California, at InDigital Studios. Favorable reviews, extensive radio airplay and a busy tour schedule have created an ever growing fan base & kudos from many major musicians. Shook Twins and their full band, including Niko Daoussis (mandolin, electric guitar, vocals), Kyle Volkman (bass), Anna Tivel (violin, vocals), and Russ Kleiner (drum kit, percussion), recently finished recording their third album “What We Do” (releasing 4/8/14) with Grammy nominated producer Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studios as well as partnering and recording an album, with fellow Portland musician Ben Darwish on his epic concept piece, "The Clear Blue Pearl."
National and regional press accolades have poured in since the April 8th, 2014 release of "What We Do," including USA Today touting, "The Portland, Ore., folk group is ready to rattle the music world with its 'What We Do' album." Acoustic Guitar Magazine says, "'What We Do' is a nearly flawless album that pushes the band into unexplored sonic territory…this is a band that packs a tremendous amount of artistry and talent into their compositions." Indie-music mecca Portland, OR's weekly newspaper Portland Mercury states, "'What We Do' is the sound of two preternaturally talented siblings making the music they want to make with a wide-eyed sense of wonder and the good sense to absorb whatever the world puts in their path."
Shook Twins have shared the stage with artists including: Ryan Adams, David Grisman, Mason Jennings, Blizten Trapper, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sarah Jarosz, Laura Veirs, The FruitBats, Jonatha Brooke, JJ Grey and MoFro, The Indigo Girls, Crooked Still, Jason Webley, The BoDeans, Elephant Revival, The Head and The Heart, The Lumineers and many more.
Eclectic, amusing and whimsical, Shook Twins' laid-back and fun stage presence draws the listener in, allowing them to take the audience away on the adventure that is their live show.
