Interviews

Music Interview: Sofi Tukker

In case you completely didn’t know, Bumbershoot is THIS WEEKEND. As in, happening right now and it’s wrapping up its last day. For those out there in Seattle, hope you’re having fun! For those sitting back and in the middle of FOMO, we’re right there with you. Luckily, we had a chance to chat with one of the performers from Saturday night, Sofi Tukker, before they went on stage at the Mural Amphitheatre. We wish we could be in that crowd of absolute craziness but we’ll live vicariously through social media. Check out what it was like the first time they performed on stage, what the weirdest item they used as an instrument, and what they had to do to prep for Bumbershoot. Spoiler alert: Not that glamorous!

The Young Folks: If you two had never met in college, what do you imagine yourself doing right now at this moment?

Sophie Hawley-Weld: I was planning on moving to Brazil to teach yoga and dance before Tucker convinced me to move to New York and form a band! Who knows! I studied conflict resolution and used to be a mediator but no matter what I would have found a way for music to be a huge part of my life!

Tucker Halpern: Once basketball had ended for me before my senior year, I decided I wanted to make dance music my life. I didn’t quite know how it was going to happen but I was determined. So I would have tried, but I don’t think I would have been successful without Soph.

TYF: What was it like the very first time you hopped on stage and performed for a crowd that never heard of you? How does that reflect now? What’s it like for you to hop on stage performing in front of people who do know you now?
Sophie: It was scary! Our first show was rough, we were concentrating so hard on not screwing up that we forgot to have fun!

Tucker: Seeing beautiful smiling faces singing our lyrics back at us is so cool and gratifying. And it still surprises us every time!

TYF: Since you guys are known for your upbeat music and having such a good time on stage. What is actually your favorite sad, slow song?

Sophie: I actually love slow music. My favorite is probably “Let It Die” by Feist. It gets me every time

Tucker: Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley

TYF: What’s the weirdest or possibly coolest item you have used as an instrument?

Zucchini!!! It was weird and short lived and super messy.

TYF: Since you guys just released “Fuck They”, any chance you’ve been able to work on a new EP despite your crazy, busy schedule?

We are always working on music! We are making more than ever now because we are so inspired by our experiences on the road.

TYF: How did “Fuck They” come about? Did a specific moment trigger the song to be created?

We were actually at a wedding and told what to wear and how to behave… and it just didn’t feel right or authentic! And we asked the question, “Who made these rules? Who is they?”

TYF: You two have been doing shows non-stop from Coachella to now and we’re almost done with the year! What have you been doing when you have free time from touring?

We don’t have much free time :) we love what we do, so we keep doing it! But we try to take care of ourselves and be with our loved ones if we have a little time off.

TYF: For our readers who haven’t seen you perform live (like myself), what can the audience expect to see or even feel? What do you hope the audience takes away from your performances?

We hope everyone feels free to be themselves! And sweaty and kinda sore the next day — in the good way! We are really smiley and excitable and love what we get to do! We may love to go crazy with everybody.

TYF: Quick – you’re hosting a dance party and have to put a playlist together. What are the top five tracks you would add to the playlist?