BUZZ BANDS

Twins try ‘Art’ of teamwork

Since signing with Neil Young’s Vapor Records label for their 2000 debut, “This Business of Art,” Tegan & Sara have perfected the art of writing clever, punchy and unpredictable pop songs. The charismatic Canadian twins’ latest album, “So Jealous,” finds the pair becoming an increasingly complementary team.

“I think it really reflects the differences in our writing,” Tegan Quin says of the new CD. “I think I write more traditional pop hooks -- like the verse, pre-chorus, chorus kind of thing, and then throw a bridge in there -- whereas Sara’s really interested in trying different things and writing from a different perspective with each record.”

Typical of Tegan’s attack is the exhilarating sugary rush of “Take Me Anywhere,” while Sara counters with the abstract likes of “Walking With a Ghost,” with each possessed of a thieving magpie’s eye for detail and the ability to generate a sublime warmth in writing about the mundane aspects of daily living. “I like the idea of people finding comfort in regular everyday things that are significant just because they are regular and everyday,” Tegan says.

Tegan & Sara will be in town to play Wednesday at the El Rey Theatre.

Mind over matter

Where in the world does John Gold fit in? The L.A.-based singer-songwriter’s new CD, “The Eastside Shake,” is filled with seductively off-center ballads and disjointed stream-of-consciousness images, augmented by a beautiful clutter of instrumentation.

It’s the result of a not-very-scientific process. “As the music gets fleshed out, I’ll sing along or babble,” says Gold, who plays King King in Hollywood on Wednesday. “It’s like my mind is showing me something.”

At a recent Silverlake Lounge show, Gold (who plays bass and keyboards) re-created the sound in a spirited mood with additional keyboards, guitar, drums and trombone, most of the players being friends who contributed to the album.

“They’ve been great,” he says of the musicians. “It’s ironic that the band’s called my name. It just shows a lack of imagination on what a band name could be.”

Gold’s songs have been included in the film “Mean Creek” and there’s been indie radio play, but the big record deal has yet to land. “I got a call from an A&R; person at a major label who said, ‘I love it, but nobody at my company’s gonna know what to do with it.’ ”

Shocking, simply shocking.