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Monday, June 4, 2012

Musik Monday - Die Twinnies

My friend sent me this the other day and it's just too great to not pass along:





In case you didn't catch that, here it is with English subtitles:




It's a music group made up of two German girls who sing, skate, and play accordions (and other instruments) simultaneously.  It's sort of corny music, but you have to give these girls credit for the show they put on; Most "musicians" can barely sing, let alone play instruments.  And doing both while on skates is insane!  They come close to giving Weird Al a run for his money.

I did a little research on their website (warning, there's sound) and found that Astrid and Franziska aren't actually twins, but they are best friends and "inseparable like twins".  They've been singing and making music since they were young children and did it because it was fun.  They did it more because it made other people happy.  They learned accordion from Franziska's father, who teaches people how to play the instrument.  They started off just playing and singing, but decided to incorporate another activity they love - roller skating.

Though they exemplify the traditional Bavarian music style of their home, they love current music as well and play many pop and rock songs on the electric guitar and electric bass guitar.  They hope to mix traditional and current music in their own style.  I encourage everyone to check out the website for these talented girls!  They may not be actively making or performing music now (I couldn't figure that out), but they're certainly entertaining!

One of the greatest things about the video is how it shows a pretty typical German audience.  Understandably, part of it has to do with the venue, but look at how they all sit and clap with a slight side to side swaying.  In almost all my experience (with the slight exception of some clubs in Germany - though many were also full of international students), that's what Germans do when they love music.

At least they had enough enthusiasm to make matching signs
I personally love it.  I'll be honest, I am not in my element when it comes to dancing, unless it's some sort of line dancing.  Give me Cotton Eyed Joe or Cha Cha Slide any day and I can dance the heck out of those.  But music where there's no specific dance to learn?  That's one of the most frightening things to me.  It must be the German in me that's terrified.

20 comments:

  1. I love their video! From Stefan Hajdu, a 13 year old Hungarian-Colombian who loves goulash.

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    1. Hopefully it provided something to watch while eating some goulash :)

      Thanks for the comment!

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  2. Man, I can't believe on how good they are at singing, playing, and roller skating at the same time. Thats coordination.

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    1. I agree! Wish I could do any one of those things at a time.

      Thanks for visiting and commenting!

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  3. My little son and I simply love the Twinnies. We have seen many of their YouTube videos. Unfortunately my knowledge of German is zero. Does anybody know if they are coming on a tour to US or Canada?

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    1. Sorry but they no longer perform together. Franzi has a very nice web site and you can find out what she is doing there. The words to the songs are available on the Twinnies web site last time I looked, in German of course. Remember time marches on. The best known videos were made when Franzi was about 13 or 14. She is now about 20. Please allow her to have an adult career. She really is a fine musician.

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  4. I can't believe they are not twins! No two people look so much alike sound so much a like and not even related! Come on!

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    1. The germans are very clever like that. it is done with lazers and mirrors, ze best auf Deutsche industrie. LOL

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  5. I discovered these two by accident on YouTube. They are absolutely adorable!

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  6. I discovered them on You Tube and love this type of music and them. They are great. Would love to see them live and I love this kind of German atmosphere.

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    1. Franzi is 20 and is playing the Oktober Fest about now. Check out her website.

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  7. Beautiful music and great talent. When are they coming to play in the USA?

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    1. They are not coming to the USA. Please see my earlier replies. Astrid does not seem to perform anymore. Franzi is quite a musician but please allow her to have an adult carreer. Among others she performs with the Stefani Hertel band in Germany. Just look on her facebook page and youtube.

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  8. For everyone interested, I will post an update about them on Monday! Anonymous who posted on Sept. 21 shared some good information, but I'll have a little more including links, pictures, and videos. Thanks for sharing what you knew Anonymous and thanks to everyone who's commented! Hopefully some of your questions will be answered!

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  9. Sadly, what you are seeing and what you are hearing here are NOT the same thing. You hear NO harmonikas during the vocal verses. The studio recording of this song from their first album has been substituted as the soundtrack for this video. Has anyone got the video with the actual soundtrack from the TV show?

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  10. Esses videos sao muito legais..amo muito..bjss..

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  11. I wish Astrid was still active in music! Franzi is OK but Astrid is just so gorgeous - even now as she is older. I think Astrid is working at her famlies Paster Hotel in Bavaria. I plan on staying there during a future trip and just maybe getting a kiss on the cheek from Astrid (that's about as close to heaven as you can get here on earth I suspect)!!!

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  12. Does anyone have a screenshot of the twinnies website? i never saw it before its removal and a picture would be greatly appreciated. They are cute though aren't they?

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  13. https://thecraftygerman.blogspot.com/2012/06/musik-monday-die-twinnies.html

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