From scores, scenes, and the big screen: the fierce family hood of the North siblings and their pursuit along the pathways of performance.

When it comes to choosing a side, the North family hold no hesitation. “Cincinnati Bengals all the way,” smiles Austin. “I had a Chad Ochocinco Fathead when I was younger on the wall. Do you remember that?” His sister, Loren, joins in on the nostalgia, “I think we still have those Bengals sweatshirts?” It would seem that you can move the kids out of Ohio, but you can’t move the Ohio out of the kids.  

On paper, they’re siblings, but Austin and Loren North surpass a simple relationship of pedigree. While the rest of us are winding our siblings up into the next century – guilty as charged – the entanglement of these two provokes a creative support system, peer-reviewing allies, and bona fide fans of one another’s work. Austin, the actor, was discovered at a talent showcase (forced to do so by his sister) after his family vacated to Atlanta, Georgia. Meanwhile, older sister Loren channelled the chorale of church service into a career in front of the microphone.

Devotees of one another’s work, they embark on a promising year ahead, as Austin returns to Netflix’s hit show, Outer Banks for its fourth season as the jealous antagonist, Topper Thornton and reprising his role in the Beautiful Disastersequel alongside Dylan Sprouse. With Loren set to release new music this summer, offering lilting indie-pop tracks with commanding beats to boldly bop to since her debut EP, “Starlight” in 2016, rest assured the Norths will be getting the balloons out once or twice this summer.

Ahead of their seismic solstice, the siblings returned to their family home to talk about self-actualisation, finding their footing and why, when it really comes to choosing a side, they will always choose each other.

Loren: Austin, how did you come to discover that performing was something you wanted to pursue?

Austin: You go for it.

Loren: I grew up singing in church pretty much my whole life. My mum told me I could not sleep without a cassette player by my bed every night since I was a young kid. Music has always been a part of me. It was just natural; my family would come over and my dad would be like, “Loren’s going to sing for you.” He’d get the karaoke machine out and put me on the spot in front of friends and family to perform for them. I thank God for that because it naturally pushed me to be out of my comfort zone when singing in front of people and performing. So big props to my mum and dad. What about you?

Austin:[Lauging] Mum is making so much noise upstairs right now. [Shouts] Mum, we can hear ya! I get easily distracted if you can’t tell. When did I start performing? I was never much of a performer…

Loren: You did that one play?

Austin:I got thrown into all these situations where I’d have to be on stage in a church play when I was younger. I played the role of this redneck who sold Christmas trees and I made a few people laugh in that. Then my sister signed me up for this acting showcase when I was 11 or 12 at the Mall of Georgia. I didn’t want to do it at first but once I was up on stage and entertaining, it was something really fulfilling. I loved it and wanted to keep seeing where it went which led me to some commercials and then being on Disney channel. From there, it was just full passion and drive. I’d love to do it every single day, but you know, acting is kind of all over the place. But as of now, we’re doing alright!

Loren: Let’s talk about your role in Outer Banks.Are there any standout moments from the show so far?

Austin:Tonnes. I think we all went into that show not knowing what to expect in 2019. We didn’t know what the show was going to be or that it would be what it is today. We’re all very blessed and lucky to be a part of it. Now we’re going into a fourth season! That [role] came about super last minute. I was in LA, I auditioned for that and then went to a first read with the casting director; they then brought me back for a second read with the producers and I found out so last minute that I needed to go to Charleston [South Carolina] and film. I had a day’s notice to pack my bag, and I didn’t have the full script going into that first audition, so I couldn’t tell you what drew me to the script other than the role of Topper.

Loren:How did you get into the headspace of the antagonist? You’ve always been this happy-go-lucky guy.

Austin:It’s always fun playing the villain and almost the opposite of who you are. I guess I just get into the headspace of situations I’ve been in where people have acted like this.

Loren:Oooh, like who?

Austin: I’m not going to put anyone on blast! But there were so many memories and fun times with this cast which were like family. We’re excited to keep making something special.

Loren:Austin, you made your film debut in Beautiful Disaster — talk us through how the role came about and what drew you to the character?

Austin:The movie came about when we did the second season of Outer Banks, and I was kind of on a hiatus. I saw the cast which was Dylan Sprouse and Libe Barer. I thought the script was really fun and I wanted to be a part of that. We filmed that in Bulgaria of all places which was super cool and different. Now we’re keeping that ball rolling. There’s Beautiful Wedding that’s in the works, and I’m excited for people to see the next one.

Loren:How do we know when it’s a good script or a good song?

Austin: I’ve read so many scripts; there’s the kind where I get distracted reading it and it’ll take me days and days to finish it. And then there’s the kind of scripts where I just get locked in and have to see the climax and the ending. When I get super drawn into characters and relationships, that’s when I know I’m fully excited.

Loren: For me, I feel like generally a good song can be played and stripped back and put into any genre and sounds really good. In terms of my personal music, to know if one of the songs is good to me will be if I’m singing it constantly and replaying it. That’s when I know I really like it; if it’s in my subconscious brain.

Austin:Got some stuff in the works, don’t ya?

Loren:Maybe! We might talk about it. As two creatives exploring alternate mediums, where do you both look for inspiration?

Austin:I have a bunch of actors that I look up to like Mark Wahlberg; he doesn’t stop being creative whether it's to do with lifestyle or fitness or a clothing brand. I always look at other avenues besides acting like using my platform to start my own clothing brand. It all ties together. I look up to these people and how they’re handling things in the spotlight.

Loren: I feel like when you’re creative, your eyes are always open and looking. I love putting visual things to music; [asking myself] what does this look like with something I’m singing? I think that’s constantly kept me realising which areas I work best in too. That really allows you to grow and evolve as a creative and you surprise yourself. I’ve been really proud of Austin for jumping into his clothing brand, especially the visual side of it from the concepts to the photoshoots. We’re both open to what we can get our hands on creatively and be open to whatever we’re natural at.

Austin:Completely. So, have we watched each other perform? Sure, I watch Loren perform all the time. She leads worship at the church and we all go as a family. If she’s at home, she’s constantly round the Grand Piano. We also used to put out YouTube videos together when we were growing up. She’s a natural — there’s not much to critique.

Loren:We’ve had so much fun doing covers together in the past. I feel very comfortable performing around Austin and vice versa. I actually got a chance to see him do Outer Banks last year in Charleston. You don't realise the blood, sweat and tears that go into making the show with all the hours and the night shoots. I’ve definitely seen him perform on a level that gives me mad respect for what he does and the venture he’s taken on. We actually stayed up late last night listening to some of my new music. I’m always looking to get Austin’s opinion on anything I’m doing.

Austin: Do you have any rituals when preparing to get in front of the mic?

Loren: Definitely the [vocal warm-up], “Mummy made me mash my M&M’s.”

Austin: You have so many warm-ups that are solovely and enjoyable to listen to…

Loren:I also usually pray before I go on stage and invite God into everything I do. Sometimes it’s just about letting go before I perform and letting it be whatever it is.

Austin:I get down to the basics of tongue twisters and sometimes working out or getting my heart rate up and my blood flowing. Or little things like making sure I’ve had a nice meal. I know that sounds stupid, but I don't want to be hungry as soon as we're about to film the scene — it’s about taking care of my mind and my mental health and being fully focused and ready for whatever we have to shoot. And just being healthy and hydrated, especially filming in Charleston where it's really hot and humid. I like to jam out to some music on the way to set too and get myself into character. So when Topper’s going to get his heart broken, I’m putting on some Taylor Swift.

Loren:I feel like you’re not kidding.

Austin:[Laughing] Maybe. Maybe it’s “Love Story.”

Loren: What do you both wish for each other? Well, I gotta collect my thoughts. I know that the acting industry can catch up to you and that it’s a very all-in kind of thing. A lot of the time when you’re working, it can be a very demanding task. But honestly, I just hope that you have the most fulfilling life. I know your heart’s desire is to get married and have kids someday. I recently got married and I can’t wait to see that for you. I really believe you’ll set a standard in the industry for what it looks like to have a healthy marriage, a family and still be able to do well. I really wish that for you.

Austin:You’re very happy and your husband’s an amazing guy and I’ve wished my whole life that you would find the right person to bring out those dreams and push you to go after them. I never want to see you stagnant and I hope that you’ll keep pursuing all of your creative outlets — and you’re going to be a mother someday! I wish that that would be ASAP so I could be an Uncle.

Loren:[laughs] Noooo, not yet! How do you feel trying your hand at the other’s profession?

Austin: Being a singer?

Loren:I tried to give you voice lessons!

Austin:It’s not my thing. I guess I can act like I know what I’m doing?

Loren: Well I remember during the showcase I signed you up for, I literally thought I was going to be the next Lizzie McGuire. But immediately going into it, I dipped out and didn’t want the pressure at 14. Austin just had thick skin like water off a duck’s back. He could take the rejection at such a young age and I just knew that it would tear me up in those crucial teen years. But now, I would go at it out of curiosity!

Austin:How often do we hang out with each other?

Loren:I wish we could hang out weekly. We used to live down the hall from each other so we would see each other every waking hour pretty much. But yeah, it's literally up in the air. I helped my mum settle him into a new spot in LA recently, so that's been fun. I mean, he was gone shooting, but it's cool because now we kind of have a place to kick it. That's it, he can call his own. And so hopefully I'll start coming round more. Honestly, I only live 45 minutes from here without traffic so we can all go kick it and we like to hike so we'll hike some spots in LA like the Wisdom Tree or Fryman Canyon and have a blast. Next question: what prompted you to start your own clothing business: Honest Society?

Austin:I’ve always been into fashion and the idea of being an entrepreneur. But I didn’t want to just create something with no purpose. I was gathering thoughts and I feel like in this generation and society, people are moving further and further away from getting real with one another and having honest conversations. Everyone’s hiding behind social media and TikTik a lot. It’s about being accountable to myself to keep reaching out to friends and loved ones too, starting those deeper and harder conversations. That led to the brand and kickstarted it all.

Loren:So, what’s next for us both?

Austin:Definitely more Outer Banks. Maybe some movies in the world. And more Honest Society clothing!

Loren: I have new music coming out this summer and keep rolling it out. You’ll hear some singles, see some visuals, get some merch. Maybe we’ll merge and do a dream collaboration between the two of us.

Photography by @jonstars
Fashion by @alimullin at @thewallgroup
Words by @scarlintheshire
Editorial Director @charlottejmorton
Editor @ellaxwest
Art Director @Harry_conor
Production Director @bencrankbencrank
Producer @isabellacoleman_
Production Intern Lola Randall
Grooming by @heatherraebang
Hair and makeup by @jordanadavid
Fashion Assistant @alexzaherrera