I don’t know any shows about queer twins.
And to be able to see ourselves as young budding artists?
It was very surreal."
Tegan and Sara.Mom+Pop
Most of us would rather endure another timed mile for gym class than relive our high school experience.
But notTegan and Sara.
He confided in his daughter later that he experienced the same thing decades before.
Railey and Seazynn Gilliland in the series ‘High School,’ a TV depiction of Tegan and Sara’s adolescence.Michelle Faye/Amazon Freevee
And just like that, they were writing their 10th studio album, on top of everything else.
How does it compare to what you felt over 20 years ago?
And now that we’re 42, we’re kind of like, “F— it.”
Tegan and Sara.Pamela Littky
And it’s fun to be hyperbolic and be emotional.
What do you find so inspirational and interesting about adolescence even now?
And I totally get that.
I think for us, that is our job in a way.
Our shows became a safe space for people to come and see other people like them.
What was it like to see your coming-of-age related to queerness on screen?
What did that conjure for you guys?
I don’t know any shows about queer twins.
And to be able to see ourselves as young budding artists?
It was very surreal.
Every queer show has, like, onealmostgay person who the gay person can date.
And I didn’t feel that represented our experience growing up.
And I thinkHigh Schoolreally captured that.
Yeah, for sure.
There are so many moments of your characters encountering new friends and meeting people for the first time.
They seem to have an intimate charge, and it’s not strictly sexual.
This is a real thing.
It’s just not true.
It’s not creepy.
I was a girl who looked at other girls.
I was attracted to lots of girls.
Another thing I loved about the show is the music, of course.
How much of a hand did you guys have in picking the songs that were featured?
TEGAN QUIN:As [executive producers], we were heavily involved in the decision-making around it.
We wanted to show the spectrum that rave musicandBabes in Toyland [were] big.
It was necessary to really showcase how Tegan and Sara became Tegan and Sara.
What led you to that intersection and this new bedroom electro-pop sound?
F— that.
A lot of artists in their 30s and 40s are still making really amazing music and pushing the envelope.
Sarah and I wanted a record that felt lively and youthful because wearelively and youthful.
We feel f—ing frustrated and alive and introspective, but we also feel strong and powerful.
Are there still things to be done?
Are there still things we wanna say?"
That’s what the record sounds like to me.
New episodes ofHigh Schoolstream Fridays on Amazon Freevee.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
