A + A are a New York based duo with an extensive back catalogue of musical projects to each of their names. The new releases they have been working on are sounding incredible. We caught up with them this week and grilled them a little on their creative process. Here’s how it went..
A + A, the up and coming duo taking the internet by storm with their brand new track Believe In Good Girls. It’s a pretty awesome song, to be fair; one of those that just gets better and better as it goes along. You seem to have a really good thing going. How did you guys meet, and what made you start working together?
Anwar: Respectively we separately grew in the music industry over the years. We met at a recording studio I used to own. Poptarts.
Andrew: I came in and we just started making records, initially for other artists at first. One record led to the other and we started to really build a vibe on top on the undeniable chemistry that was already there.
Anwar: Our songwriting process probably inspired me the most.. We could write a full song in 5 mins. We could also be in the studio for hours writing a song, not say anything to each other, and some how be on the same page when we put our final product together.
Andrew: Eventually we got tired of dealing with people and decided, “You know what, let’s just do this ourselves.” So we did. We were messing around and came up with Mood, the first record on our Soundcloud, and the rest is really history. Swag.
What roles do you each play in the group – who does what, or do you each just contribute throughout until something big happens?
Andrew: I do the lyrical work and the singing. I also work part time at the local strip club. ☺
Anwar: Oh Wow.
Andrew: Oh Wow.
Anwar: Okay so seriously though, I have been playing in bands and engineering in studios since 6th grade. I play every instrument. So basically I’m the music guy. I love to engineer/mix/master. So basically we literally do everything when it comes to making the record. Sometimes Andrew might come to me with a full song done and we build off of that or vice versa I may have written out a full instrumental track. Some of our best stuff happens on the fly where we are just free-styling a record with a guitar or piano..
Andrew: Since Anwar wanted to go and get all technical, I’m the words guy. I love words. They are my passion. I don’t even care about music. What is music, really?
With that in mind – what came first with the track; the concept, the melody, or the music?
Andrew: I already had the full record in my voice notes. I had just gone through a break up and was obviously inspired because art is for masochists so we need to be hurt to do anything even remotely worthy lol. I definitely felt there was something there with this record, so I sang it for Ahny inside his car, I don’t remember where we were going, but we stopped going and started to build… in our voice notes… inside the car…
Anwar: Just a side note my nickname is Ahny so yea that’s it. Once we got the idea solidified in the car, we immediately went to the studio and free-styled on the piano until we got a solid chord progression.. and the rest is history.
Your music fuses a whole bunch of genres, in my opinion, which is great – really refreshing. Who have you been listening to over the past twelve months that may have added to the eclectic sound you have?
Anwar: SOHN, Family of the year, Radiohead, Snarky Puppy, Bach, Chopin, Bryson Tiller, Porter Robinson, SuperduperKyle, Coldplay, Cocain 80..
Andrew: George Michael, James Fauntleroy, Prince, Drake (so far gone), Frank Ocean, Tracy Chapman, Adele, Robi Draco Rosa, Sade, Shakira (Fijacion Oral). I don’t really listen to music.
There is a lot of music in New York City; do you think it’s a great place for inspiration and opportunity, or is it all a bit chaotic and overwhelming sometimes?
Andrew: I think NYC is a great place for inspiration. There’s so many places to look and so many piles to grab from. Life in general can be chaotic and overwhelming at times, but when we see all the creations birthed by the chaos, it levels everything out. It keeps me grounded.
Anwar: Well said there Mr. Dale Futter (you have saggy hairy balls).
Andrew: : Thanks, I’ve been working out.
Anwar: Okay.. We always try to plan an outing a week so that we don’t get stuck in the studio life. As crazy as NYC is .. sometimes I find inspiration from music being played when I go to the bathroom at a public place.. For some reason my inspiration mojo gets sparked there..
Where and when can we see you performing live in the near future?
There’s nothing planned as of yet. But we plan on announcing a show schedule soon!
Thank you.
A+A.
A huge thank you to the guys of A + A for taking the time out to talk to us. You can hear their new track, amongst many more, over at Soundcloud, and you can give them a follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, to look out for that upcoming schedule. Their brand new EP Living Rooms will be out this summer, we can’t wait; definitely stay tuned for that. Get involved. Show some love if you like what you hear.
From a creative stand point I really enjoy the music. Seriously gives off dope ass vibes. Keep moving fellas. Dope shit.