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26 | February 16, 2017 | The wilmette beacon life & arts wilmettebeacon.com Dynamic duo of sisters sign record label contract Former New Trier students launch music careers Jacqueline glosniak Contributing Editor At 15 years old, most teenagers are concerned with finding the latest party, various high school activities and sleeping in on the weekends. However, for twin sisters and former New Trier freshmen Carly and Martina Spiro, most of their time is dedicated to writing songs, composing music and playing at some of the country’s hippest nightclubs, bars and coffee houses. In the rare event the sisters aren’t up on a stage performing, the girls can be found jet setting with their parents between both big and small cities from coast to coast. The duo, who performs under the stage name Carly and Martina, first became interested in music at the ripe age of 4, with piano lessons at the Music Institute of Chicago in Evanston. The girls quickly fell in love with music. “It was really cool,” Carly said of their time at the Music Institute. “We were learning classical music and it helped build our foundation with the scales and the chords.” At 11, they began writing their own music and lyrics, hoping to replicate the vibe of the jazz songs they learned in school. “We heard jazz and we loved the creativity that it gave us but we weren’t hearing any jazz on the radio,” Martina said. “When we would turn on the radio every day, we would hear our favorite pop songs playing and that’s really what we just started writing because we were listening to it every day.” After trying their hand at original compositions, Carly and Martina did their first public performance. After Martina had the chance to appear in a music video produced by Chicago actor and singer Jess Godwin, Godwin invited the girls to open for her at Mayne Stage in Rogers Park. Around the same time, Carly and Martina were trying to become more creative with their lyrics, working to incorporate elements of their own life Voting Open February 2-28 Vote: www.22ndcenturymedia.com/NSchoice We want to know your favorite local businesses! Tell us your favorites in categories such as: Beauty ★ Health ★ Dining ★ Education & Camps ★ Fitness & Recreation Pets ★ Services ★ Shopping ★ Vehicles Honor your favorite local businesses by voting for them in the North Shore Choice Awards presented by 22nd Century Media. Look for the ballot in the center of this newspaper or vote online at www.22ndcenturymedia.com/nschoice starting Feb. 2. Complete at least 50 categories and be eligible for 22nd Century Media’s Southwest Choice Awards prize—one three-night trip for two (2) adults to Riu Caribe in Cancun, Mexico, courtesy of Apple Vacations. THE LAKE FOREST LEADER THE GLENCOE ANCHOR THE GLENVIEW LATERN THE WINNETKA BEACON THE NORTHBROOK TOWER TJHE WILMETTE BEACIN THE HIGHLAND PARK LANDMARK Martina (left) and Carly Spiro, twin sisters and former New Trier students, have risen in the music ranks. PHOTOS SUBMITTED The Spiro sisters became interested in music at the age of 4 with piano lessons at the Music Institute of Chicago. experiences into songs. In junior high, Carly, who had experienced several instances of bullying from peers, came home from school one day and with Martina, wrote one of their first songs, “Make Me Happy.” While they didn’t think much about the song when they first wrote it, they went to a weeklong songwriting camp at School of Rock in Evanston, where they had the chance to work alongside professional musicians and record the song. One week later, Carly and Martina heard news that would change their life — a few of the musicians at School of Rock liked “Make Me Happy” so much so that one of them, record producer Steve Wagner, signed the girls to his label. Soon after, news of Carly and Martina’s talents started to spread through YouTube and radio appearances, including on WGN Radio and WCCX- FM in Waukesha, Wis. In Waukesha, Carly and Martina were also featured in a local anti-bullying event at a school and participated in a school seminar with their song to promote bullying awareness and support for students. Musicians and clubs in Chicago and Wisconsin heard about Carly and Martina and invited them to play at open mic events and intimate concerts. “That’s where we really learned how to perform, draw a crowd, how to read a crowd and how to adapt,” Martina said. After posting videos of both their original work and covers of popular songs, Carly and Martina piqued the interest of clubs and performers in New York City. Playing in New York has allowed them not only to build contacts in New York City but across the country. In 2016, Carly and Martina performed in Nashville, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Colorado and Virginia. In the next few months, they have bookings across Los Angeles. Their first EP, “Carly and Martina,” was recorded in New York City and released this past fall. “Our brand right now is just staying our age and focusing on being relatable and genuine,” Carly said. “All of our songs come from a place of empowerment, whether it’s a breakup song or love song. “It’s never like, ‘I’m going to change myself for you,’ it’s always, ‘Whatever happens in my life, I’m still going to be who I am. I still have to love who I am because that’s who I am.”
wilmettebeacon.com wilmette the wilmette beacon | February 16, 2017 | 27 yoga strength group exercise nutrition fun JCC Chicago’s All Star Abilities is an original, peer-to-peer program focusing on fitness and wellness through a variety of activities for teens with and without disabilities. Led by JCC Chicago and Keshet professional staff. No cost to participate; all training and instruction included. Teen volunteers can earn service credit hours. Marvin Lustbader Center Bernard Weinger JCC 300 Revere Drive, Northbrook Program Begins Soon! Program information at jccchicago.org/asa Supported by the Breakthrough Fund: An Innovation of the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. JCC Chicago is a non-profit organization inspired by Jewish values, bridging traditions and generations to create a more vibrant, connected community. JCC is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community. ©2017 JCC Chicago
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