Tú

Websites:  https://www.musicbymailcanada.com/Tu/
Origin: Toronto, Ontario, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Tú were a Canadian pop vocal duo from Toronto, Ontario, formed by identical twin sisters Amanda and Cassandra Di Blasi in the mid-1980s. Known for their sleek dance-pop sound and magnetic stage presence, Tú emerged during the golden era of synth-driven pop and made a lasting impression on the Canadian music scene with a pair of stylish, hook-filled albums.

The sisters, who trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music from an early age, were already fixtures in the Toronto studio and commercial scene by their mid-teens. Their musical journey took a professional turn when they were discovered by Steve Sexton, former keyboardist for Red Rider, after appearing as extras in a music video. Sexton introduced them to Bruce Barrow, best known for his production work with Platinum Blonde. Barrow would become the architect of Tú’s sound and produced both of their albums.

The duo’s debut LP, originally titled Siamese Kiss and later issued simply as Tú, was released in late 1987 on RCA/BMG Music Canada. Combining radio-ready pop with sharp production and dancefloor appeal, the album spawned several singles. The standout hit, “Stay With Me,” became their biggest success, climbing to #8 on the Canadian charts in November 1987. A follow-up single, “The Language of Love,” continued to build their audience, and the pair toured across Canada in support of the album. The record also included a playful cover of Chic’s “Le Freak,” reimagined as “Le Freak – Tú Freak.”

In 1988, Tú parted ways with RCA and signed with CBS Records, returning to the studio with Bruce Barrow for their sophomore effort, Secrets in the Dark, released in 1989. Though not as commercially prominent as their debut, the album featured the singles “I Used to Cry” and “Stop Breaking My Heart,” which received moderate airplay. Despite its polished sound and emotional maturity, the album would mark the end of their brief recording career.

Beyond their own music, Amanda and Cassandra contributed backing vocals to Platinum Blonde’s video for “Fire” and were known for their stylish, synchronized visual aesthetic, often emphasizing their twin identity in their performances and branding. Their name, Tú, was inspired by the Cantonese word for "art," reflecting their cultural curiosity and artistic intent.

Though their time in the spotlight was relatively short, Tú left behind a polished pop legacy rooted in the energy of late-‘80s Canadian dance music. Their work remains a cult favourite for collectors and fans of the era’s female-fronted pop.
-Robert Williston