In 2002, the band released If It Was You, a fundamental moment in Tegan and Sara’s creative path and musical identity. Its fresh sonic template and critical success in the US set up their fourth studio album, So Jealous, which ultimately provided their global breakthrough. On the heels of 6 separate song placements on Grey’s Anatomy, a US radio hit in “Walking With A Ghost”, and a North American tour opening for The Killers, So Jealous cemented Tegan and Sara’s status as one of Canada’s pre-eminent songwriting forces and musical exports.

In 2007, the release of The Con brought even more critical and commercial acclaim to Tegan and Sara. The album was co-produced by Chris Walla, with members of Death Cab for Cutie, Weezer and AFI all appearing in supporting musician roles. Their sixth studio album, Sainthood, was released in 2009 and was accompanied by a self-published three-volume book set titled ON, IN, AT, which chronicled a year in the life of Tegan and Sara, in both words and pictures. Sainthood was ultimately nominated for a Juno Award (Canadian Grammy equivalent) and the Polaris Prize. One of the album’s singles, “Alligator,” was remixed by a wide cross-section of artists including Four Tet, Passion Pit, Ra Ra Riot, and VHS or Beta.

In 2011, Tegan and Sara released Get Along, a CD/DVD set that included a live record and a collection of 3 films giving a rare and intimate look into their lives and music. The first film, States, features American touring footage and interviews; the second film, India, chronicles their first ever tour of India; and the third film, For The Most Part, is a special stripped-down studio concert shot with a live audience of 75 fans, friends and family over two days in Vancouver, Canada. The live record features music recorded during these concerts.

Tegan and Sara have played countless festivals around the world including Coachella, Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and have toured with artists such as The Killers, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson, Neil Young, The Pretenders, Ben Folds, City and Colour, Death Cab For Cutie, Cyndi Lauper, Weezer and Paramore. Since 2003, they have headlined tours in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, consistently selling out theatres around the world. Their music has been featured in major network television programs including 90210, Parenthood, Grey’s Anatomy, Veronica Mars, The Vampire Diaries, and One Tree Hill. They have performed multiple times on Letterman, Leno and Conan. They have collaborated with artists in all genres, from superstar DJs such as Tiesto and David Guetta, to seminal literary figures such as Augusten Burroughs. Their original 2004 breakthrough song, “Walking with a Ghost,” was eventually paid the high honour of being covered by The White Stripes.

Though their music is not overtly political, Tegan and Sara are very politically and socially engaged. They are outspoken advocates for LGBT equality, and have done countless fundraisers for youth organizations, music education, literacy, cancer research and LGBT advocacy. The sisters enjoy reading, hair, ships, vampires, hot dogs, talking and relating to elderly people, self-soothing, rearranging furniture, and giving excellent advice.

In 2016 they launched the Tegan and Sara foundation. In a letter published by the two of them they summed it up as such:

"Since the beginning of our career, our LGBTQ fans have supported us in innumerable ways. Our journey navigating sexism and homophobia in the music industry has always been interwoven with the stories you share with us. Your personal histories of injustice and discrimination at home, school, work, and church have inspired us to use our public status to speak out about the struggles of the LGBTQ community.
[...]
Through the Tegan and Sara Foundation, we can be proactive with our support rather than wait to react to discrimination as it occurs. We will support the work of other organizations who have been fighting for LGBTQ and women's rights by raising funds and awareness for their initiatives. We will fight against the repressive legislation of the incoming Trump administration. We will fight against regressive homophobic, transphobic, and misogynistic legislation. We will fight for economic, racial and gender justice. We started the Foundation to dismantle the systems of inequity that prevent LGBTQ girls and women from reaching their full potential. Together, we can make a difference. "

You can read their full letter HERE.

Fashion

While not foolproof Tegan tends to dress "punk-ier" and more casually (band t-shirts, flannel, etc) whereas Sara usually goes for more mature looks for her wardrobe.

Tegan on the left, Sara on the right

Tattoos

While they prefer not to talk about the meaning of their tattoos (saying instead simply that they're personal when asked) they're still a great visual identifier.

Tegan's tattoos are: a black symbol on her upper left arm and outter arm (near her elbow), a quote from Bruce Springsteen’s The Human Touch “What you don’t surrender” on her biceps (half on each), and a colourful tree on both forearms (the left one has a heart as well)

Sara's tattoos are: a symbol that looks like a capital E with an extra line on her inner left forearm, black and red birds on her inner left bicep, a boat in waves design on her right bicep (a cover up), a ninja with a sword in front of a tree on her inner right bicep, a black ring on her inner right wrist, six black lines on her outer right wrist, and a black design on the center of her back.

Tegan on the left, Sara on the right.
Drag and drop into a new tab to view larger and get a better look at their tattoos!

Piercing

Perhaps the easiest way to tell the two apart, when their tattoos are covered and they're dressed similarly, is the piercing/lack of piercing.

Tegan on the left, Sara on the right

Tegan has a labret piercing (the piercing below her lower lip) whereas Sara does not. Even when she isn't wearing anything in it there's a (usually noticeable) hole from the piercing. Sara has quite the opposite:

Sara on the left, Tegan on the right

Sara has a skin toned mole under her bottom lip. Tegan also has her piercing out in the above picture.