TGIF FEATURE: "Better Together" - Us The Duo

Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado

US THE DUO is to Vine, what Justin Beiber is to Youtube. 

The southern California couple is just back from a tour of Southeast Asian including the Philippines, Singapore and Malaysia, the singing duo is back home composing more music and arranging for future appearances.

Husband-and-wife, Michael and Carissa Rae Alvarado, recently signed with Republic Records, and hopefully doing through Vine, what the Beib did for YouTube.

The attractive pair breaks new ground for a platform that - up to now - was better known as a launching pad for comedy performers. Where YouTube-rs like Justin Bieber (Island Def Jam) and Karmin (Epic Records) paved the way several years ago for the likes of other acts who didn't have the entertainment industry connections, Us has the potential to do the same for other musicians who may turn to Vine.

"There's a universality to what they're doing, and I don't think there's a glass ceiling to it," says Nate Albert, Republic's senior VP of A&R, who first met with the duo in early January. "Their songs are like walking through the birth of their relationship, and it's really rare that you see something that has that level of earnestness to it. These are songs that everybody can relate to, but there's an elegance to how they do it." 

You've heard of Republic Records, right? Think Taylor Swift.

Part of their attraction for young people living in this cynical world is the couple's loving relationship and the genuine likability that comes through in their Internet performances. Their songs are a reflection of their relationship and viewers were able to watch their working and personal relationship grow online, culminating in their marriage.   Watch Michael's proposal to Carissa. Too impossibly cute! It's been Us the Duo ever since.

One of their Vine trademarks is that they only show half their faces as they sing.  "I wasn't wearing makeup one night, and Michael wanted to film a video and I was like, 'No I'm tired and I'm in my pajamas,'" she recalls. 

"We'd had a Vine account, but we never really too active on it," the Filipino/American told Billboard Magazine. "We tried to post funny Vines, but we're not comedians, so it didn't go over too well. But the six-second cover thing seemed to really take off and people seemed to like it."

Their online success is an example how new talent, with no previous experience, business connections, or relatives in the entertainment industry, are breaking into the music business -- which is the case for most people of color. As more people clicked on their videos (over 3 million on Vine) it led to press and media attention from Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Business Insider, Buzzfeed, iHeartRadio, an appearance on Good Morning America and then the record contract last year. Since then it has been tours and performances around the world. The Internet knows no boundaries.

Check out their website to find out if they are coming to your area. If you like the video below, you can hear and watch more of their music videos on YouTube.

Have a great weekend!