Macedo (musical group)
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Macedo | |
|---|---|
 This photo was taken at a live BMI Showcase. | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | MoonGold Records |
| Members |
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| Website | macedomusic |
Macedo is an American indie pop musical duo consisting of identical-twin sisters Michelle Alicia and Melissa Ann Macedo.[1]
Early life
[edit]Twin sisters Michelle and Melissa were born in Pasadena, California. Growing up in a musical family, the sisters began playing piano at age three, and Michelle began playing classical guitar at age 11. Michelle began writing at an early age and became the duo's primary songwriter, while Melissa is responsible for the vocal harmonies and instrumentation.[2] The twins' musical influences included Zero 7, Feist, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell and Billie Holiday. They attended an all-girl Catholic high school in Pasadena, where Michelle wrote most of the songs for her solo album La Luna.[3][4]
Musical career
[edit]2007-2010: La Luna (Michelle}
[edit]During her first year of college Michelle recorded and produced her debut solo album, La Luna, for OutTake Records in Boston.[3] She recorded the album in ten hours, performing all the instruments. The sisters separated for the first time when they attended different colleges. Melissa attended Columbia University (Barnard College) in New York City, where she received dual BA degrees in Gender Studies and Theatre. Michelle attended Emerson College in Boston, receiving a BFA in acting.[5]
2010-2011: Flags & Boxes
[edit]In 2010 Michelle and Melissa founded MoonGold Records, and has been releasing their music on that label. While they were apart, Michelle wrote their first album, Flags & Boxes,[6] recorded primarily in Boston with producer Kush Mody alongside engineers Nils Montan and Andrew Oedel at Emerson College radio station WERS.[7] The album was mixed by Justin Gerrish (Vampire Weekend, RaRa Riot).[8] Its songs were inspired by the girls' college experiences and their travels in London, Netherlands and Argentina.[5] Each sister sings and plays several instruments:[9] in live performances Michelle plays piano and guitar, while Melissa plays violin and performa vocal parts. After the release of their first album, Maria Menounos of Extra told 944 Magazine that Macedo was her favorite musical group.[10][verification needed] Their music is noted for its vocal harmonies and instrumental range of instruments, including organ and French horn.[11] and the album was reviewed in Vogue India.[12]
2014: Paper Doll
[edit]Michelle and Melissa Macedo released their EP "Paper Doll" on February 4, 2014. A single from the EP, "Your Skin", was premiered by WNYC's Soundcheck. Soundcheck praised the single, saying "'Your Skin' proves to be an equally catchy and emotional break-up kiss-off anthem".[13] "Paper Doll" was co-produced by Khris Kellow (Christina Aguilera, Patti LaBelle) [14]
Another single from the EP, "Like Me Most", was premiered by LadyGunn Magazine. LadyGunn, describing their music said: "While they look great on screen, it's their music that shines through the most. They have been compared to Fiona Apple meets Regina Spektor and at times have R+B influences and hooks that make you sing them out loud, full volume like you are saying all the things you never could to an ex."[2]
The third single, "17", was premiered by Paste Magazine. Paste says the twins are known to be completely opposite in personalities; "The sisters may look alike, but that’s where the similarities end: each brought her own personality to their work, the result is a lesson in duality and teamwork (and a damn nice sounding one, at that)."[15]
2017: Ghost Town
[edit]Michelle and Melissa Macedo released their single "Ghost Town" in April 2017, hinting that the upcoming album would be "haunting and raw".[16]
The following single "Supernatural" was released with a music video via PulseSpikes.
Acting career
[edit]In 2015, Michelle and Melissa co-founded a theater company called, World Kin Ensemble, which has been producing shows aimed to combat sexual assault on college campuses. Around that time they toured act in the touring show, Dirty Talk.[17]
In 2016, the sisters starred in a movie "Blood Heist" with James Franco.[18] Michelle and Melissa played the lead singer and guitarist of Shane's band, respectively, on the Netflix show Girlboss released in April 2017.[19] The both starred in 2019 Netflix film Every Time I Die, opposite Marc Menchaca. In 2024 it was announced they are starring in the feature film Thinestra.[20]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]- Flags & Boxes (2011)
- Paper Doll (2014)
Singles
[edit]- Ghost Town (2017)[16]
- Supernatural (2017)
- Valentine's Day (2013)
References
[edit]- ^ "California Births, 1905 - 1995". Familytreelegends.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ a b "SONG PREMIERE: Macedo / "Like Me Most" ++ Live Performance of "Paper Doll"". Ladygunn. January 13, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ a b "Michelle Macedo". All Music. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Feature Client: Michelle Macedo | Songtrust". Blog.songtrust.com. February 8, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ a b Mike Ragogna (December 21, 2011). "Antony Bitar's Holiday Download, Chatting with Gary Clark Jr. and Macedo, Plus a James Mee Anthem". The Huffington Post. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ Gerard Ucelli (November 23, 2011). "MACEDO Interview (Broken Records Magazine)". Broken Records Magazine. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ Will Engel (April 9, 2012). "Part III of Michelle Macedo interview". LA Music Examiner.
- ^ "Justin Gerrish Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
- ^ "FEBRUARY & MARCH 2012 SONICBIDS "ARTISTS 2 WATCH"". Skope Magazine. February 9, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Junior's Cave Music Interview with Macedo Early Spring (April 2012) Edition Music Now Spotlight". Blogs.juniorscave.com. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Cool female duo lays down blues laced jazz" (PDF). The Courier. January 5, 2012. p. 5A. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
- ^ "Two Girls From Goa Just Blew Me Away". May 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ Katzif, Michael (December 12, 2013). "Macedo's Twin Chemistry Unfurls A Raw Kiss-Off Anthem - Soundcheck". Soundcheck.wnyc.org. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ "Khris Kellow Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
- ^ "Song Premiere: Macedo - "17" :: Audio :: Paste". Pastemagazine.com. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ a b "Celebmix Ghost Town Premiere". Celebmix.
- ^ Weinert-Kendt, Rob (December 12, 2014). "Telling Tales in School". American Theatre. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Details about new James Franco movie filming in Hamilton".
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: MACEDO Shares 'Girlboss' Behind-The-Scenes Secrets + More!". Popmania. April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Nathan Hertz's Debut Feature 'Thinestra' Tackles Body Image With Horror And Dark Humor". Deadline. November 16, 2023.