In 1998, identical twins Tegan and Sara Quin formed the indie-pop duo Tegan and Sara in Calgary. Both are songwriters and multi-instrumentalists who defy genre boundaries and connect people from diverse cultures and tastes. Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, the sisters have earned immense respect among Canadian and U.S. youth for their heartfelt songs about love and heartbreak. Their music has often outperformed stars like Elton John and Lady Gaga in the charts. Read more on calgary-trend.
Early Beginnings
Born in Calgary on September 19, 1980, the sisters started playing piano at the age of eight. By 15, after discovering an old guitar in their basement, they began creating music. Initially, they called their amateur duo Plunk, short for “light punk,” reflecting their lack of a bassist and drummer.
In 1997, they recorded two demo albums, Who’s in Your Band? and Play Day, at their school’s recording studio. The following year, they won the Garage Warz music battle, earning studio time as the prize. Using this opportunity, they recorded their first professional demo, Yellow Tape, under the name Sara and Tegan. This marked the beginning of their touring career.
Both sisters share vocal and instrumental duties, with each typically singing lead on songs they’ve written. Early in their career, they rarely sang together. They embraced indie-pop, a genre of alternative rock that originated in the U.K. in the mid-1980s.
Their debut album, Under Feet Like Ours, was released in 1999. They later rebranded as Tegan and Sara to avoid confusion with listeners interpreting their original name as “Sara Antegan.” Soon after, they signed with Vapor Records in Canada and Sire in the U.S.
In 2000, they released This Business of Art, a youth-focused pop-folk album that showcased their unique harmony and garnered international acclaim. That winter, they moved to Vancouver.
Musical Success
In 2001, the sisters began writing songs individually, exchanging them upon completion. They postponed their own headline tour to perform in the U.S. alongside singer-songwriter and producer Ryan Adams. In 2003, they returned to Vancouver to continue their music journey.
The release of their fourth album, So Jealous, in 2004 brought them widespread success in Canada and internationally. Rolling Stone named it one of the 50 Best Albums of 2005. Featuring simple guitar riffs and synthesizers, the album blended new wave elements with their signature acoustic guitar folk-pop style. Tracks like “Walking With a Ghost” stood out as emotional pop ballads about love, with Billboard describing the album as “an intimate record as contemplative as it is infectious.”
During breaks from recording and touring, Tegan lived in Vancouver while Sara resided in Montreal. Their fifth album, The Con (2007), marked a shift from upbeat indie-pop to more subdued music. Their sixth album, released in 2009, received predominantly positive reviews.
The duo also collaborated with other artists, such as Dutch DJ Tiësto for “Feel It in My Bones” and American DJ Morgan Page for “Body Work.”
In 2013, they released their seventh album, Heartthrob, which became a major breakthrough, topping Canadian charts. The album was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize, and in 2014, the duo won three Juno Awards for Single of the Year, Pop Album of the Year, and Group of the Year.
The release of Heartthrob solidified their status as queer icons. In 2017, they released a covers album, The Con X: Covers, featuring interpretations by other queer artists.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they launched a live show, Where Does the Good Grow, to entertain audiences. In 2022, they produced the U.S. drama series High School, based on their memoirs, filmed in Calgary. Over the years, they have explored genres such as folk-punk, releasing a total of 10 studio albums by 2022.
Themes in Their Music
Tegan and Sara’s music explores love and self-doubt, with the twins complementing each other’s artistic strengths. Their voices and guitar styles blur into a seamless dynamic, creating the essence of a classic duo.
For instance, their eighth album, Love You to Death, delves into the complexities of relationships, both sibling and romantic. The track “BWU” questions marriage as a measure of commitment. With each album, their lyrics become more vulnerable, revealing their evolving perspectives.
A central message in their music is inclusion. Their ability to connect with diverse audiences, including those with physical or mental challenges, sets them apart. Few artists can transcend genre and cultural boundaries so effortlessly.
Personal Beliefs and Advocacy
Both sisters openly identify as queer and are strong advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, music education, and cancer research.
In 2012, they appeared on the cover of Under the Radar magazine with the headline, “Minority rights should never be subject to the whim of the majority.” They also participated in student protests against the Quebec government.
In 2013, they partnered with the U.S. ice cream company Coolhaus to create a sandwich supporting same-sex marriage. The Til Death Do Us Part sandwich featured salted caramel ice cream between cookies.
In December 2016, they founded the Tegan and Sara Foundation to promote economic equality, health, and representation for LGBTQ+ women and girls. They even took a two-year hiatus from touring to focus on the foundation’s work.
The sisters have also opposed California’s Prop 8, a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, and donated earnings to Equality North Carolina, a nonprofit LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
Their bold stance on human rights has earned them widespread public support. They received the “Outstanding Music Artist” award at the GLAAD Media Awards, surpassing legends like Elton John and Lady Gaga.
