ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: TWISTED ROYALTY

Twisted Royalty—sisters Lisa and Tami Wilder, daughters of Heatwave’s Keith Wilder—blend funk, pop, soul, and jazz into one bold, harmony-packed sound. Raised in a musical home and inspired by icons like Madonna, Whitney, and Marley, their genre-bending vibe and sister-sync magic make them a must-listen. Funk runs deep!

Growing up with a funk legend as your dad, was music basically your family’s second language? What was that like?

Growing up in a musical family with a funk legend as our father was an extraordinary experience. It often felt as though we were singing before we could even speak—music was truly our second language. Our home was filled with spontaneous harmonies, impromptu jam sessions, and the constant rhythm of creativity. This environment didn't just entertain; it nurtured our emotional expression, strengthened our bonds, and instilled a deep appreciation for the arts.

Do you remember the first time you two ever sang together? Was it magical... or a total mess?

As children, we sang together constantly, Lisa, naturally taking the lead in arranging harmonies and guiding our voices. During our teenage years, we formalized our passion by forming our own girl group and then we started singing backgrounds for Heatwave and touring with them.

Your music is like a genre smoothie — funk, pop, soul, jazz — how did that tasty mix come together?

 Growing up in England, we were immersed in a vibrant mix of musical styles—funk, reggae, soul, bhangra, jazz, and pop. This diverse soundscape, combined with our parents' musical influences, naturally led us to create songs that blend these genres into a unique fusion reflecting the music we grew up loving.

 Say someone’s never heard of Twisted Royalty — what’s your elevator pitch to get them instantly obsessed?

If you're new to Twisted Royalty, here's the pitch: imagine the soulful harmonies of Lisa and Tami Wilder—sisters and daughters of Heatwave's Keith Wilder—blending funk, pop, acoustic soul, and jazz into a fresh, genre-defying sound. Their music is a captivating fusion that reflects their rich musical heritage and British upbringing, delivering both groove and emotional depth and lyrics that convey our view on life, love with a little sarcasm.

Twisted Royalty's unique sound and dynamic performances make them a standout act worth exploring.

Who were the artists you were belting in your bedroom mirrors before you ever hit a real stage?

We grew up immersed in the sounds of legends like Madonna, Selena, Bob Marley, Sting, Michael Franks, Whitney Houston, Aaliyah, and Brandy. Their artistry shaped our musical DNA, inspiring us to blend soulful harmonies, funk grooves, and pop sensibilities into our own unique sound. It's this fusion of influences that defines Twisted Royalty.

You write together — dream team or diva moments? How do you keep the harmony (pun totally intended)?

  Lisa. She's the wordsmith—always brimming with lyrical ideas that capture emotions and stories so vividly. Once she lays down the lyrics,  Tami dives in to create the harmonies, melodies, and arrangements that bring our songs to life. It's a seamless dance between us, each step complementing the other.

We're sisters, so naturally, our sessions are filled with passionate discussions. We might have our moments of strong opinions, but there's never any diva drama. Our bond keeps us grounded, ensuring that our creative process remains harmonious. It's like peanut butter and jelly—distinct flavors that,when combined, create something truly delightful.

What’s the usual spark for a new song — a melody, a lyric, a vibe... or maybe something random like a weird dream? 

Normally is a wicked track that we both vibe to!

Is there a lyric you’ve written that still gives you chills or feels super personal?

Yes, we wrote this song called "Let the light shine down" and this part of the 1st verse are lyrics that we definitely identified with. It felt honest, transparent with an element of vulnerabilty

Where is the peace, let there be life

"Let all the darkness give way to light

I know its painful, I know its hard

I can see hope behind your eyes

Choose your goals, live your life

whoever you are

we're created by the most high

Let it be known

Secrets and Shame make us the same

whoever you are

Don't be blinded by the same lie..let it be known"

Take us back — what was the glow-up like from your all-girl group days to now as Twisted Royalty with your band?

We just grew up, we went from teenagers, experiencing first loves and life experiences to being wifes and mothers, experiencing deeper joy and pain and transforming that into our music as Twisted Royalty has  been quite special!

You’ve rocked crowds in both the UK and the US — who brings the louder energy, and do y’all have a favorite crowd story

Thats funny, Americans are always more outwardly encouraging and enthusiastic. The Brits can be a harder audiance to crack but when they love you.. they love you!

What’s been your “pinch me” moment on stage so far — the one you’ll be telling your grandkids about?

ITS ALL BEEN A PINCH ME MOMENT- we have had some of the most amazing experiences from performing with Heatwave and many great legends to making that song in the studio that we cannot wait to share with everyone!!

How did you find your bandmates — were they handpicked or did they just magically vibe into your world?

We have been truly blessed with the most AMAZING and talented band mates. We are like family!! We were pieced together really organically over the years.

Your live shows are described as wild rides — what’s your secret sauce for turning up the energy every single time?

Enjoying the moment- every performance is a party!!

What’s coming down the pipeline — any juicy new tracks, tours, or collabs in the works?

NEW MUSIC IS COMING!! We are super excited about this!

Quickfire fun: Who’s more likely to randomly break into song at the grocery store? And what’s your ultimate guilty-pleasure jam?

We are probably both likely to randomly break into song in the grocery store but in harmony and with random choreography LOL!

GANGSTA'S PARADISE is definitely the jam...we know EVERY WORD!!