THEY.'s debut album Nü Religion: Hyena features an intoxicating blend of R&B, hip-hop, & rock. For the latest episode of On The Come Up, we spoke to the Los Angeles-based duo about how they met, why the draw inspiration from the hyena, working with Timbaland (who apparently refers to himself as "Uncle"), and their ambitious goals for the future.
Dante grew up in the high altitude of Colorado (where they filmed the spectacular "U-RITE" music video) and Drew grew up in the humid streets of the DMV. They joined forces in Los Angeles, where they had both moved to write and produce for big artists. Dante worked with artists like Kelly Clarkson, Cee-Lo Green, and Chris Brown; Drew worked with artists like Jeremih and Jason DeRulo.
"One of the biggest differences for me is when it's just us," Dante said, gesturing to Drew, "we're the only people that have to be impressed. A lot of times when you're working with an artist, you gotta impress their manager, their whole entourage is in the room. If somebody doesn't like the song, it just kills the whole vibe of everything."
Dante later spoke on how the duo's plans to engender "sonic progression in urban music." "Honestly, things are a little bit sonically stagnant right now," he said. "We have a real opportunity to take hold of black music and progress the way that we always have."
Watch the new episode of On The Come Up, listen to Nü Religion: Hyena and check out THEY.'s tour dates below.
3/7 - The Crocodile - Seattle
3/8 - Alexander Gastown - Vancouver
3/10 - Social Hall SF - San Francisco
3/11 - Constellation Room - Santa Ana
3/12 - Club Red - Phoenix
3/14 - The Cambridge Room - Dallas
3/15 - Warehouse Live Studio - Houston
3/18 - The Parish Room - New Orleans
3/19 - The Loft - Atlanta
3/21 - Songbyrd - Washington DC
3/22 - Underground Arts - Philadelphia
3/23 - SOB's - New York
3/24 - Middle East - Boston
3/26 - Mod Club Theatre - Toronto
3/27 - The Shelter - Detroit
3/29 - Double Door - Chicago
3/30 - Fine Line - Minneapolis
4/1 - Larimer Lounge - Denver
4/3 - Voodoo Room - San Diego
4/4 - The Roxy - Los Angeles