Interview: The Twelves

It must be a peculiar thing to be recognised less in your own country than those across the water. Take for example Brazilian due João Miguel and Luciano Oliveira; together they make up The Twelves; a band that creates funked-up versions of songs that obviously didn’t know their own potential.

Although the boys from Rio De Janeiro are renowned for their remixes, they’ve got heavy handed with many artists including La Roux, Two Door Cinema Club, Yelle and Daft Punk, they are no strangers to their own creations. Rock up to a set by The Twelves and mulling in the corner whilst sipping on a flat Asahi is the last thing you’ll be doing.

Prior to forming The Twelves, in 2006 the boys dabbled in the life of a Portuguese band but instead became big on the blogosphere through the electro-pop 80s synth vein, it was at this point they realised their true audience was to be found a little further than their own home terrain.

Luciano Oliveira joined Jasmine Phull in a convivial chat revealing proven methods to a successful remix, why he feels less exposed when working with someone else’s creation and why promotional gifts aren’t always a blessing.

How was your Cargo set last week? 
It sold out! I usually expect London crowds to be difficult but it was great.

Why the name?

Me and João, my associate, were born on the same day, the same month; 12 July, and the same year so it seemed like an obvious choice for us.

It all kicked off for you in 2007. What were you doing before 2007?

I was in advertising and João was a web designer but we were always interested in music. We always wanted to do this we just didn’t have the nerves.

Are you big in your own country or are people over you?

I’d say we’re bigger outside. I guess it has something to do with the sound of our music. Brazilian bands are huge over there but it’s mostly if they sing in Portuguese and it’s more closely related to our culture. But that’s not our case so I guess it’s natural that we are bigger in places like the UK and USA.

So before The Twelves hit it off were you ever in your own Portuguese singing band?

Ah... yea we did have one before but it just didn’t go so well. (Laughs)

Where are you guys based at the moment?

We still live in Rio. I would much rather live in Europe because everything is so close and there are all the countries that I like. Perhaps in a while.

You guys are renowned for remixing the songs of others. How does that process work? Do you have to ask them permission?

If it’s something that we find ourselves we’ll usually harass the artist. But usually the artist’s management come to us.

Do they have to listen to it before it goes live?

Yea, I mean some of them have a pretty good idea of what they want. It doesn’t always work.

So is that a good or a bad thing?

It depends. Sometimes it’s a nice surprise, sometimes it’s not...

Do you prefer creating your own tracks or remixing others?

I’d say it’s more fun to remix other people’s because you have less of an attachment to the song therefore you don’t feel so insecure when you show it to someone.  You’re less exposed. It’s like working with a briefing; you have the objective as soon as you get the vocals.

How long does a song take for The Twelves to remix?

It varies tremendously. Some of them take only two days. Usually if I’m not on tour then I’ll just get the track and start playing around with it. Most of the time what you do first off is usually the best thing.  Even if it takes like a month to do it, the best is usually the original idea that only took a couple of days.

What’s goes into your preparation before tackling a remix. Do you like to have a couple of drinks or do you like to have a completely clear head?

Ah.. no I do a lot of drinking.  It helps because if you’re thinking too much about the decisions you’re making on stage then you end up dragging the flow of the set.  You need to be a bit reckless.

So that’s a proven method for The Twelves? Having a couple of drinks before?

Yes, it definitely works for us.

On stage you’re both behind the decks doing your thing. Do you find that costume is important? Perhaps matching outfits or colour co-ordination?

(Laughs) Oh god. Not yet.  We don’t give a damn.

And that works?

Ah.. yea it works for me. I don’t know if it works for the crowd. I think Londoners can be quite demanding in the fashion department. Which is ok but we’re basically nerds so we’re not ‘fashion forward’ or ‘fashion aware’.

Obviously lots of PR companies send you free gifts: clothes etc. What’s the worst free promotional gift you’ve received?

I don’t think I’ll tell you the name of the company, cause I don’t know.. maybe they want to give us money or something? So I’ll explain it without giving the name. It was clothing but it was very closely related to a Formula One team. So man, was that horrible! Absolutely hideous. It was fine in the hotel room but as soon as we left we were like: “Fuck look at this!” I gave my pair of shoes to the cab driver. (Laughs)

Was that instead of the fare?

(Pauses). Damn I didn’t think about it like that. I should have traded it for the fare!

Maybe if you’d signed them you would have got a return fare as well?

Oh.. no then I’d just have to pay more cause I’d ruin the shoe. 

Words by Jasmine Phull

The Twelves play Manchester's Club Clique on July 2nd. Tickets are now on sale through Skiddle!

Tickets are no longer available for this event