Time to 'Holler': The Watson Twins work with legend on new album, set to perform at Tumbleroot

Oct. 26—Chandra Watson is bummed that she's going to be a few weeks late to see the hot air balloons at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Though, she remembers seeing plenty of them growing up in Kentucky.

"When I was a kid growing up, there would be a bunch of hot air balloons that would fly around the time of the Kentucky Derby," she says. "It was always magical to see. Though I understand the Albuquerque event is like no other."

Though a few weeks late, Watson comes to Santa Fe, along with her sister, Leigh, as The Watson Twins open up for Band of Heathens on Friday, Oct. 27, at Tumbleroot Brewery & Distillery.

The Watson Twins recently released the album "Holler."

Their musical journey began when the twin sisters were growing up and found that music was an outlet they both loved.

They moved from Kentucky to Los Angeles and began their own band called Slydell.

By 2006, they formed The Watson Twins and released the debut EP. That same year, the duo backed up Jenny Lewis on the album, "Rabbit Fur Coat."

In an instant, their life changed.

With "Hollers," Watson says the album came about in a fun way.

"In the past, my sister and I would write separately. Then Leigh and I would come together and produce the songs. All the songs were written by either one of us. With 'Holler,' it was the next step."

The Watson Twins got in the studio with Butch Walker, who took the helm of producing "Holler."

"Secretly, we wanted Butch to do a record," she says. "Butch asked us if we would record more music with him, and we did."

Working with Walker, Watson says he was able to pull out more of the Americana vibe from each of them.

"We had about 15 or 16 ideas for the album," she says. "Ten of those songs made the cut for the album. When we first began, it was supposed to be an EP. When we were in the studio, by the third day, we had gone through all the tracks."

The Watson Twins had worked with Walker before on singular projects for other musicians.

"We're often brought in to record backing vocals for other artists," Watson says. "Butch brought us in to work on tracks for Harry Connick Jr. We've known his work from those times working with him. For him to produce our own music felt like a full circle moment for us. He just brought the best out of us."

With a lot of hard work, The Watson Twins have made a name for themselves in the music industry.

They are forever grateful to Lewis for the "Rabbit Fur Coat" album because it introduced the duo to the world.

"I remember we were playing the Ryman Auditorium and it's a big deal," she says. "Jenny, Leigh and I were in a huddle before the show. Jimmy Buffett was guesting that night and he stuck his head into our circle and he told us, 'Don't forget to enjoy.' This meant so much to me at the time and I still carry that advice with me."