Tinkertoy Fog Machine Harnesses Their Twin Flame Connection on Indie-Pop Debut "Fingers Crossed"
Tinkertoy Fog Machine, shot by Zoé Jacole
A commonality of best friendships is that you often never see one friend without the other. This is the case for Montreal’s weird indie-pop duo Tinkertoy Fog Machine, who have remained nearly inseparable as roommates, coworkers and bandmates upon relocating to La Belle Province from their hometown of Ottawa, Ontario.
Tinkertoy Fog Machine, Tyrin Kelly (left) and Kai Thorpe (right), shot by Zoé Jacole
Since meeting in high school and finding their footing in Ottawa’s DIY music scene, the pair have played a game of musical chairs in their artistic pursuits with a rotation of personnel and collaborators over the years. Today, Tinkertoy Fog Machine shares the fruits of revisiting the bond at the foundation of their sound with the release of their EP Fingers Crossed.
Tinkertoy Fog Machine, shot by Zoé Jacole
Despite their coming-of-age catalog, core members Tyrin Kelly and Kai Thorpe have appointed this double-A-side as their debut; symbolizing a mutual growth in both friendship and imagination.
Written, produced and recorded in their cozy Rosemont studio, Kelly and Thorpe crafted Fingers Crossed on their homemade compressors and cherished 8 track reel to reel after working by day for a toy company (yes, really). The result is two twinkling tributes to the special experience of embarking on a new adventure with an old friend.
When Tinkertoy Fog Machine aren’t at work in their studio, they run a screen-printing collective called Trap Door Printing, printing merch for local bands.
Tinkertoy Fog Machine, shot by Zoé Jacole
On their two new tracks, the band shares:
“Fingers Crossed” touches upon the personal rituals people rely on in an attempt to control the world around them, and how these overlooked behaviours can be destructive. Misty synths and mushy guitar melodies form an aquatic ecosystem of sound, kept afloat by the DNA of a pop song. Similar to its predecessor, the B-side track “Someone Else” puts a sensual spin on the spacey atmosphere with silky vocals and romping instrumentation.
Listen to Fingers Crossed
Tinkertoy Fog Machine
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Zoë Argiropulos-Hunter (she/her) is the co-founder and managing editor of Also Cool Mag. Aside from the mag, she is a music promoter & booker, and a radio host & DJ.