On March 8th, German EDM and Rock duo Floya will drop their debut album Yume. The duo provided a glimpse into what fans can expect on their full-length album with the single “Drift,” which was also accompanied by a video. And it’s nothing short of amazing!

“Drift” is filled with visceral sounds and poetic lines that move you into another atmosphere. This talented duo is set to take on the world in a special way this year and it’s worth all the attention. I got the opportunity to interview the duo and discuss their up-and-coming album, their creative process, who inspires them, and their favorite albums!

Kobi: I love the album! The production throughout the project is extremely affectionate. It feels like a battle cry and as if you guys are really trying to get a message across. Amazing job!  My first question is, what inspired this project? And what were some of the experiences that led you two to create a project such as this one? 

Marv: With being in a more metal driven 6-piece project before I always felt a little restricted when it came to my  personal desire to write some poppier structures and songs, since modern pop / rock music has always been my biggest influence. When the idea of creating a new project came to Phils’ and my mind, it quickly became clear that due to the immense freedom and electronic influenced first drafts, this project has got to be a duo. It’s giving us new and inspiring ways to write songs while not having to create riffs and motives for a full on rock band.

Kobi: Could you describe your writing and creative process? And I ask because there’s something truly poetic about this project. Some of the lines were really poignant; such as, “I’m feeling alive in the unknown.”

Marv: The writing process for each song is always very different. Sometimes it just starts with a little lead melody on my guitar and sometimes it’s Phil laying down some inspiring chords on the piano. We always try to bring in some unique sounds and elements in the early stages of the writing to keep ourselves interested during the process.

Phil: I wish I could say there’s a certain approach to how we do things, but there really isn’t, it’s an ever-changing process. But I don’t mind that, creativity in this project is nearly limitless, which is simultaneously freeing and chaotic. I think we’re just trying to embrace that fact as much as we can and have fun along the way.

Kobi: I realize that some of your influences are Peter Gabriel, U2, and Sting. Are there any more artists that you can name that have had a profound impact on your life?

Marv: I’d say Coldplay is one of the biggest influences for the two of us that has had a profound impact already in the early years of our lives. I remember watching live concerts with family and friends when I was about 10 years old on New Year’s Eve. The way Coldplay sounded and interacted with their audience got me stoked so much back then!

Kobi: What does Yume mean? And why did you guys choose to name your project as such? 

Phil: “Yume” is the Japanese word for “dream”. It immediately made sense to us because after we split from our previous projects, we just didn’t know if we could ever get back to doing what we love. But we dared to dream after all. Another angle I use to look at this is that a really vivid dream can change a lot in you after you wake up. You know, the kinds of dreams that make you feel everything and you can’t really separate them from reality… These can stick with you for days on end and create new feelings, very powerful stuff.

Kobi: Will you two be touring this album sometime this year?

Marv: We are currently putting together a little headline run shortly after the album has been out, mainly through Germany for now, but we’re also working on a lot more shows to follow, too!

Kobi: If you could describe your album in one word, what would it be?

Phil:  Happiness. Particularly finding happiness in the chaos surrounding us. It’s so easy to focus on everything that doesn’t work, things you don’t own, feelings you don’t feel, stuff that you don’t like, but over time that perspective will kill every ounce of happiness within us. Instead, being thankful for all the little things, finding beauty in the chaos is actually quite easy if we’re looking for it.

Kobi: As creative partners, how do you manage sharing ideas and finding compromise? Or are you two on the same wavelength most of the time?

Phil: Honestly, Marv and I share a lot of the same feelings when it comes to music. Of course we encounter small disagreements from time to time, but that is mostly very detail-focused, we’re always on the same page about the core idea of a song. Otherwise we won’t work on it. The music we write has to make us feel good, has to move us in one way or another, both of us, always.

Kobi: What do you hope listeners gain from this project?

Phil: Happiness, optimism, a sense of relief, a sense of belonging, these are just some excerpts of what we hope to trigger in listeners. It’s hard to list everything as what we’re doing is very multi-faceted. As long as it makes you wanna move, that’s a big win. To me, FLOYA makes me wanna dance and cry simultaneously haha.

Kobi: What should fans expect from you two in the coming future?

Phil: We will always try to push the envelope of what modern music can be, as we feel that’s every artist’s responsibility. I can’t really say how future music will sound of course, but rest assured that we will always work on something that inspires us and makes us happy. And maybe it’ll make you feel these things too. Of course, we’re also trying to tour as much as we can and begin writing our 2nd album. 

Kobi: What is your favorite album of all time?

Phil: Hard to say, as there is so much good music out there. I’ll give you my current top three in no particular order.

Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Live – This album made me pursue a career in music, shaped me irreversibly.

Porter Robinson’s Nurture – THE album that made me fall in love with electronic music all over again.

Moxy The Band’s “Dream Feeling” – Current favorite, incredible musicianship, so very emotive, so overlooked.

Marv:

The 1975 – Self titled

Coldplay – A Head Full Of Dreams

The Midnight – Monsters