Twisted Pear

Twisted Pear

Twisted Pear is a United States-based free jazz and non-music group formed in the summer of 1996 by two technicians who share an interest in music and technology. The group centres on Derek Mason and Alan Hoose. Mason is born in Burton upon Trent, England, learns piano at an early age, and goes on to write and perform music. Hoose is born in Staffordshire, England, becomes a computer technician after leaving school, and brings an interest in technology and a broad approach to music. Mason also works as a computer programmer, while Hoose works as an infrastructure technician.

Releases

The group’s debut album, Peeled, is an 11-track release that comes out in spring 1999. It is written over a two-year period while both members work full-time, and all writing and production is done in-house. Clare Peaty provides additional vocals. The album receives attention from Future Music, which gives it a 10/10 review and later includes the title track, “Greenfruit,” on its cover CD. BBC Radio One also features “Greenfruit” on its website for three months.

Twisted Pear’s second album, Wired, appears in 2003. It contains 15 tracks written and produced over the previous three years by Mason and Hoose. Additional vocals come from Kris Strama-Rolfe, Clare Peaty, and Colleen of Proxima3, with a “bloke” chorus also credited. Scott Styne plays guitar on two tracks. The artwork is produced by Alan Hoose, Derek Mason and Paul Fox.

Style and later work

Twisted Pear describe a broader range of styles on Wired than on Peeled, moving from mostly electronic and dance-based material towards tracks that include indie-style guitar, jazz influences, vocals, retro 60s and 70s fusions, funky undertones, electric guitar, breakbeat, chill-out ambient and dance. The group also maintains an online profile and releases a new website in 2006. It is working on further material for a third album, the Arxspace soundtrack and The Bridge Out project.