Twig

Mindy Nilson has a vigorous vocal style that ranges from sexy soulful jazz to raw, edgy rock. Her captivating voice characterizes and compliments the melodic music created by the rest of the band.   Guitarist, Robert Heafey has an innovative guitar style that blends distinctive tones with dynamic chords producing a truly awe-inspiring sound.   Bassist, Marcus Weeden pounds distinguishing bass lines with melodic rhythms making his playing far from ordinary.   Drummer, Brian Jones is the driving force behind the music with his powerful tasty patterns and aggressive, in your face rhythms. His pulse pounding beats and flair complete this electrifying show!  The music behind Twig comes naturally. The story of Twig may have started in Phoenix in 1996, but the chemistry was already put in place. Brian, Marcus and Robert had played in a previous band a few years prior. The friendship and respect the band developed unfortunately was not enough to keep the band together. Each member ended up going in a different direction.  In 1996, Robert was introduced to Mindy through a mutual friend who was a drummer. Mindy had just left another project that had been touring and was looking for a new project. With a guitarist, vocalist and drummer in place, the missing piece was the bass player.  Marcus had been playing in various side projects while working on his own music. He had been missing that feeling of a “band you can call your own”, and was looking for something fresh to be a part of. As timing would have it Robert got back in touch with Marcus and talked about the direction he saw Twig going and wanted Marcus to be a part of it. The feeling was mutual. It was just the project Marcus was looking for.  Since 1996, there had been a revolving door in the band known as drummers. However, in 2003, Marcus reunited with longtime childhood friend, Brian. Brian had been playing in another band that was in a funk at the time as well as teaching drums. Brian missed the studio, stage and the chemistry only found between band members and was excited about the opportunity to play with Twig.  The very first time Brian, Marcus and Robert all got into a room together, the chemistry came back as if it had never missed a beat and when Mindy started to sing, the chemistry turned to Magic! Twig emerged from the club scene in the Phoenix area, quickly becoming one of the most popular local bands. Twig has since appeared with major recording artists: Third Eye Blind, Cowboy Mouth, The Refreshments, The Fixx and Buck-O-Nine. They have also had a guest appearance on the television show Good Morning Arizona, as well as for Downtown Disney, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Lance Armstrong Cancer Foundation and over 300 additional shows.   Twig also received national exposure when two of their songs were featured on the sound track of the movie “Starved” (Sundance Film Festival). Additional airplay consists of internet music stations such as: Fast Band Global Cast, BroadJam.com, Tonos and HitQuarters.com just to name a few. Twig was named Band of the Month with HitQuarters.com as well as had a song make the Top Ten list on Tonos. On an individual note, Mindy was a finalist on Amateur Night at the Apollo.  Twig is about the cohesiveness of a one faced entity rather than being a group comprised of four individuals. It may have been a long windy road, but eventually we all come home.    With hook laden songs, heart felt lyrics and emotional melodies……This is Twig!