Boasting a visionary bass-heavy sound, Jacob Hoerner and Michael Pearson have propelled themselves into the upper echelon of experimental bass music. Better known as sfam, the New Orleans duo has captivated fans with their unprecedented sound design since spawning into the electronic realm nearly a decade ago.
Taking a unique minimalist approach to production, they have established themselves as some of bass music’s most magnetic innovators. Like rebels without a cause, sfam not only defies the conventionalities of bass music but has transcended genres and created a lane of their own. Blending everything from heavy mind-melting drops to tripped-out soundscapes and grimy trap beats, the duo has cultivated a collection of tunes that are undeniably prolific and revolutionary.
After dropping an abundance of music in 2023, the sfam boys have shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Picking up right where they left off, the duo launched into the new year with an electrifying dose of off-kilter bass on their latest single listen here. Filled with unruly soundscapes and hazy unfiltered bass listen here not only serves as the second single off their upcoming EP with Rezz’s HypnoVizion but showcases a new direction of their current sound.
Following the release, The Daily Frequency caught up with sfam to discuss their new single, working with HypnoVizion, and a whole lot more.
Check out the exclusive interview with sfam below.
DF: Thanks for talking with us! Ever since your 2022 Debut album, Below Sea Level, y’all have been pumping out an insane amount of music! How are you able to put out so many quality records?
Jacob Hoerner: I feel it’s just taking our time more with each track! Really adding the little things and just staying consistent.
Michael Pearson: We get in the studio together about twice a week, and on those days, we’re usually wrapping up at least one tune. Many times, when I’m alone, I start multiple beats at a time, so when we get in the studio together, Jacob can hop straight into whatever I started. This helps us steadily finish them up.
DF: Your new track ‘listen here’ really takes you on a journey in which you’ve described as “a foot race.” Would you say your tracks are typically concept-oriented, or do you just make a beat and worry about what it sounds like later?
MP: We usually just make the beats then worry about what it sounds like later. There’s nothing like letting a beat take you wherever it goes.
DF: On top of being your first track of the year, ‘listen here’ is the second single off your upcoming EP ‘not playin.’ How would you describe the vibe of this record compared to some of the other projects you released in the past year or so?
MP: We wanted to explore different tempos throughout the ep. With “listen here” being 140, some of the other tunes are 85, 100, and 110. I think this record brings more energy than some of our other recent work.
DF: The track titles alone, not playin and listen here, give off that “we arrived” type of energy, and of course, the music backs it up. Do you guys feel like you have something to prove?
MP: We’ve been doing this for about a decade now. When COVID shut everything down, our project took a huge hit (as did many others) momentum-wise, so we’ve been working nonstop to regain the ground we lost since then. We feel like we’re releasing and sitting on our best work to date, and we’re excited to show everyone why they should be paying attention.
JH: It’s not that we have something to prove. It’s more of a hey, we’ve been doing this. You just gotta listen!
DF: Once it drops, not playin. will be your second EP with Rezz’s label Hypnovizion! How does it feel to work with such a visionary label, and how do you feel they align with your sound and what you’re trying to create?
MP: It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of such a well-respected label. We’ve released many labels, but Hypnovizion just feels like home. Not to mention, Rezz is one of the goats. I think our sound matches up very well with the label.
DF: Overall, you guys really push the boundaries of bass music and aren’t afraid to take risks. Would you say not being bound to a particular style or genre is freeing?
MP: Ever since I started producing, I’ve always been very adamant about making whatever I want. The art comes first, the audience comes after. I think this mindset has helped us stand out as sfam.
JH: Yes, I believe it is because music is all about making what you like and trying new things! That’s what being an artist is all about.
DF: Whatever wizardry you guys are doing in the studio is paying off, and your IDs have garnered the attention of some of electronic music’s biggest names! How does it feel to see iconic artists like Four Tet and Barclay Crenshaw playing out your tracks?
MP: It’s honestly bonkers. Having our dubs rinsed by such legends just assures us we’re doing something right.
JH: It’s such an honor! These are some of the best pioneers in the game, and just to have that support makes us wanna keep pushing harder!
DF: Y’all have known each other since childhood, and before you were a duo, you were teammates in soccer and definitely have a brotherly type of relationship. How are you able to maintain such good chemistry together?
MP: You’re spot on with the brotherly relationship. I couldn’t tell you how many fights we’ve been in with each other. I think being so comfortable saying whatever we feel to the other without worrying if it’ll be upsetting honestly helps us nail down the best ideas in the studio.
JH: Mainly because we’ve been through our ups and downs as partners and best friends, but we always know that we’re always there for each other and wouldn’t want to be doing this with anyone else! Use that as fuel and keep the chemistry great!
DF: Between trolling on Twitter, hilarious podcasts with TVBOO, and your love for sports, you guys are all about a good time. How important is it to remember to have fun and not take things so seriously?
MP: We’re just a couple guys that love making music. Aside from that, we also love sports, as they’ve had a massive impact on both our lives growing up. I think the mindset of making the most out of life/enjoying our time here is one of the reasons we even decided to have a go at this music thing.
DF: Lastly, what can fans expect from sfam for the rest of the year?
MP: We’re working tirelessly to make this one of our best years yet. We have the rest of this ep to release, but we’re sitting on an abundance of IDs along with some fun remixes. Here’s to 2024.
Keep up with sfam HERE!
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