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Most girls in junior high spend their time chilling at the mall, pranking boys and avoiding homework. For Seattle sisters Asya, 12, and Chloe, 14, those activities take a backseat to their band, Smoosh. Together, the girls have been charming the indie rock world since releasing their debut, She Like Electric -- an addictive rock record that blends Asya's sweet keyboards and Chloe's rip-roaring drums for an edgy rock sound anchored by Asya's surprisingly mature vocals.
The band got started in 2000, when the girls' parents dragged them to a music store to get a violin re-strung. Asya (who first sidled up to her grandma's upright piano at the wee age of one) and Chloe zeroed-in on a red drum set, and one of the store employees, Jason McGerr (who happens to be a member of DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE) offered to give them lessons.
With McGerr's help, the girls started piecing together songs in a small studio at the Seattle Drum School, burning CDs of their sonic creations. On a whim, they sent some tracks to local radio station KEXP, scoring some airplay that caught the attention of indie label Pattern 25 (which released She Like Electric in 2004).
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Since then, the girls have won the hearts of indie musicians nationwide, including RILO KILEY, PEARL JAM, SLEATER-KINNEY, THE GO! TEAM, CAT POWER and of course Death Cab, all of whom they've played with. This past June, Smoosh released their latest effort, Free to Stay (which McGerr produced). To celebrate, the girls spent their summer vacation opening for EELS and touring the U.S., Europe and Australia.
"Find a Way," the first single off the album, is performed here live for Rolling Stone. As for Smoosh's undeniably bright future, all plans are on hold for the moment: They're due back in school in September.
RealPlayer required.
Watch "La Pump."
Watch "Find a Way."
Watch "Gold."
Watch "She's Right."