Back in SA, Locnville – or ‘The Villey’ as they have already nicknamed themselves – is a household name and all the hype amongst teenage girls. Avoiding the Jonas brothers image of appealing only to the teenage market, they are chuffed when saying, “We have lots of loyal female fans, but we’re pleased that as we’re progressing we have more males and people of all ages and colours!”
The 6 foot 2 tall Locnville twins Brian and Andrew Chaplin are homegrown sweet hearts, and destined to be superstar heart throbs. Though they were born in New York, when they say they are South African through and through, you can see they mean it!
While chatting to them, it is hard to focus ones eyes on this oddly named duo… Feeling like I was seeing double, the delightful Cape Town bred brothers are indeed identical twins, and very mature for their age. These identical specimens of handsome have sailed through school and into the music scene with a sincerity and adorability no image consultant could ever conjure!
International arrival
Following in the ‘we’re doing it our own way’ footsteps of Goldfish’s international explosion a few years back, Locnville are the latest powerhouse duo to sail out of South Africa with their hybrid of hip hop and electro. “We do it all,” says Andrew. “Bouncing between the decks and singing, we are quite exhausted by the end of a show!” Brian adds.
“We haven’t even played a show abroad yet,” says Andrew as he talks about flying around between SA, London and New York for pre-promo of the album which is due for release in the UK on 5 September. “We’re loving it, though possibly lacking in sleep,” quips Brian with all the enthusiasm of someone who is full of energy!
The twin factor
They definitely have the identical twin connection thing, as seemingly telepathically they decide who will respond to a question or add a comment. The conversation just flows and both of them speak freely.
From sharing a room while growing up to working together and now still living together (but in their own rooms), Brian says, “We have a fantastic working relationship, we get to bounce ideas and if we don’t like something we’re not afraid to say it!” Andrew adds, “It’s nice to have someone on the same level.”
Female influence
The Chaplin family are all quite musical in some regard (including the blood relation to Charlie Chaplin through their grandfather). Their mom, living in Utah in USA, is a huge fan of Broadway musicals and they attribute her input to instilling their confidence and the performance aspect. She was keen for them to be Disney stars at one stage, but these boys have done it their own way.
“Both of our interests have always been strictly music,” they state in near unison. The Locnville duo make music seem effortless and fun, and they prove that personality and charm go along way. Double the looks, double the fun.
Not even 21, the Chaplin chaps are superstars in training and a marketing phenomenon waiting to explode. Music in their pockets, the world in their hands
