Twin Peaks (band)
Twin Peaks is an American indie rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 2010, the group grew out of the city’s DIY music scene and eventually gained national attention. The original members are Cadien Lake James (vocals, guitar), Clay Frankel (vocals, guitar), Jack Dolan (bass, vocals), and Connor Brodner (drums). Colin Croom joined later (keyboards, vocals, guitar). The band’s name references the TV show Twin Peaks, even though the members hadn’t seen it when they started.
Music style and sound
Twin Peaks blends garage rock, garage punk, indie rock, and power pop. Critics describe their music as energetic, noisy, and melodic, often mixing raucous guitar fuzz with catchy hooks and a sense of humor.
Albums and key moments
- Sunken (2013): The debut album was cut in a Chicago basement using basic equipment. It helped establish their DIY, hard-edged sound and earned early praise from indie listeners.
- Wild Onion (2014): Their second album, recorded in Chicago, received wider attention. Rolling Stone praised it, and Pitchfork noted the band’s mix of gritty guitar work with pop sensibilities. The release followed a high-profile Pitchfork Music Festival appearance, where frontman Cadien James performed in a wheelchair after breaking his foot at a prior show.
- Down in Heaven (2016): The third album was mostly recorded in the Berkshires and later mixed in New York City. It featured singles like Walk to the One You Love, Butterfly, and Holding Roses. The band promoted the album with late-night TV debut on Conan and toured extensively, including Europe, Australia, and major U.S. festivals. The record helped broaden their audience.
- Lookout Low (2019): Their fourth studio album, produced by Ethan Johns, was recorded at Monnow Valley Studio in Wales. The band pushed their sound toward a deeper, more expansive approach and drew influence from the Grateful Dead while still keeping their garage-punk edge.
Other releases and activities
- Urbs in Horto (2017): A live double LP capturing performances in Chicago, recorded to tape and spanning material from their three studio albums.
- Sweet ’17 Singles (compilation and 2018): A collection tying together monthly 7" releases from 2017, later issued as a compilation.
- Side A (EP) (2020): A four-song EP released during a period of relative quiet for the band.
- Side note: The track Mirror of Time from Wild Onion was later used by actor Finn Wolfhard in the film Night Shifts (2021).
Recent developments
In 2025, Twin Peaks announced a run of shows in May 2026 at Thalia Hall in Chicago to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Down in Heaven. The initial dates quickly sold out, signaling continued strong fan interest.
Band members
- Cadien Lake James — guitar, vocals
- Clay Frankel — guitar, vocals
- Jack Dolan — bass guitar, vocals
- Connor Brodner — drums
- Colin Croom — keyboards, guitar, vocals
Discography (highlights)
- Studio albums: Sunken (2013), Wild Onion (2014), Down in Heaven (2016), Lookout Low (2019)
- Live albums: Urbs in Horto (2017)
- Compilation: Sweet ’17 Singles (2018)
- EP: Side A (2020)
This page was last edited on 1 February 2026, at 18:51 (CET).