Twain

BIOGRAPHY

Mat Davidson, who records under the name Twain, is an alternative country musician from Franklin County, Virginia, who began self-releasing music in the mid-2000s before relocating his creative base to Brooklyn. He self-released the albums Sleeping Tree and Almanack, then joined the indie folk group the Low Anthem in 2009 as bassist and multi-instrumentalist, appearing on their 2011 LP Smart Flesh before leaving later that year. During this period he also played fiddle with Americana outfit Spirit Family Reunion, departing in early 2014 to focus fully on Twain. Since then Davidson has released five albums as Twain: Life Labors in The Choir (2014), Rare Feeling (2017), Adventure (2019), Days of Effort and Ease (2020), and Noon (2022), the last of which drew mixed reviews. He has also become a frequent collaborator with Big Thief, contributing to their 2022 album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You and to solo records by members Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek.

WHY THEY'RE COOL

Twain's appeal lies in the winding path that shaped him: a solo songwriter who spent years embedded in other bands, the Low Anthem and Spirit Family Reunion, absorbing folk, Americana, and indie textures before returning fully to his own project.

GEORGE'S PLAYS

First time on the station.

PLAYED ON WOKE1

• Dear Mexico (Thank You for Joyce)1 PLAY