Two Friends (DJs)

Last updated
Two Friends
Birth nameEli Sones
Matthew Halper
BornJune 25, 1993 (1993-06-25) (age 31)[ citation needed ]
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels
Website www.twofriendsmusic.com

Two Friends is an American DJ/producer duo made up of Eli Sones and Matthew Halper. The Los Angeles-based duo gained popularity for their original discography, remixes, and hour-long "Big Bootie" mixes.

Contents

Early life

Sones grew up in Los Angeles, while Halper moved around before settling into LA at the age of ten. They met each other in seventh grade while attending Brentwood School throughout their middle and high school years. [1] At the very end of high school, the duo formed Two Friends, coming up with the name together during a Senior Seminar class they had both enrolled in. They began working on hip-hop beats in the software Pro Tools, producing for several up-and-coming rappers before pivoting towards the electronic realm. [2] After visiting the Sahara Tent at Coachella and being slowly introduced to electronic music by some friends and family, they became even more fascinated with the emerging genre and soon dove in head-first. [3]

Growing up, Halper had a strong background in music, starting guitar lessons at the age of eight, training in music theory, and singing in his high school choir. Traditionally his listening interests were dominated by alternative rock and rock classics such as Blink-182, Led Zeppelin , and Bon Jovi. [4]

Sones' focus was more centralized around DJing and mashups. [5] During high school, Sones went by the moniker "The Friendly Giant" before linking up with Halper and forming Two Friends. His early musical interests were predominantly hip-hop and indie rock.

Soon after starting to create music together, Sones moved to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Vanderbilt University and Halper to Palo Alto to attend Stanford University. Halper majored in Product Design and Sones in Human & Organizational Development, but much of their time was dedicated to the Two Friends project. For the most part, the first four years of Two Friends was long-distance; however since graduating and returning home to LA in 2015, Halper and Sones have been working the Two Friends project full-time. [6]

Music career

One of their first big opportunities came in 2014, when their remix of Lana Del Rey's "Born to Die" was added to regular rotation on SiriusXM's EDM Station BPM. [7] Later in 2014, they released two singles with the band Breach the Summit (now known as Armors) titled "Our Names in Lights" and "Long Way Home".

Their next originals came in 2016 with "Forever" and "Overdose" on Armada Music, [8] both amassing millions of plays throughout Spotify, SoundCloud and other streaming services. In 2016 the musical group toured more vigorously than ever before, playing frequently across North America.

Their second and most popular EP "Out of Love" was released in early 2017 through Spinnin' Records , [9] featuring what would become two of their most popular songs, "Out Of Love" and "Pacific Coast Highway". They subsequently embarked on the “Out Of Love Tour” in the beginning of 2017. [10] The remainder of 2017 saw the releases “Emily”, “While We’re Dreaming” and “Just A Kid”, with the accompanying tours including shows at major venues and festivals such as Electric Forest Festival , [11] Terminal 5 , and more.

The duo has amassed over twenty-seven #1 tracks on Hype Machine, as well as garnered praise from The Chainsmokers , who named them "Most Underrated Artist" in a 2017 Reddit Thread. [12] They have recently undertaken official remixes for artists such as Steve Aoki , Louis Tomlinson, Audien, 3lau, Vicetone and many more.

In 2022, the duo departed on the 35-city Adventureland Tour, selling out venues such as Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, three nights at Terminal 5, and two nights at Echostage, to name a few. [13]

To acknowledge ten years of Big Bootie mixes, Two Friends produced a concert called Big Bootie Land, held in Boston on October 14 and 15, 2022, to a crowd of over 12,000. [14]  

2022 brought about the release of singles such as "Wish You Were Here" featuring John K, [15] "Chloe" featuring Jutes, "Graduated" featuring Bryce Vine, and many more.

Two Friends performed at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023. [16] Immediately following Coachella, they departed on their biggest run to-date, The Planet Two Friends Tour. [17]

Their 2023 Planet Two Friends tour took them to the biggest venues of their touring career to date. Two Friends performed at iconic venues across North America such as Red Rocks, Northerly Island, and Forest Hills Stadium as part of their 25-date tour. The centerpiece of the Planet Two Friends tour, a spaceship-DJ-booth hybrid creation, was debuted at their Coachella performance one month prior. Over 100,000 tickets were bought by fans attending the Planet Two Friends.

Two of their bigger songs to date, "More Than Yesterday" with Russell Dickerson [18] and "If Only I" with Loud Luxury and Bebe Rexha [19] were released during the Planet Two Friends Tour.

Big Bootie Mix Volume 23 was premiered at Big Bootie Land Chicago on June 2, 2023, at Huntington Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island. [20]

At the start of 2023, Two Friends began their first Las Vegas residency.  The DJs play at the Wynn and Encore Hotel properties, with performances at XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club throughout the year.

Two Friends are represented by Creative Artists Agency.

Radio show

In 2012, Two Friends debuted their mix series Friendly Sessions, which feature thirty minutes of their favorite songs across the dance realm alongside a thirty-minute guest mix from producers and DJs. Friendly Sessions has featured acts such as Louis the Child, Loud Luxury, Matoma and more. [21]

The Big Bootie Mixes are syndicated on multiple channels on SiriusXM, including BPM and Soul Cycle Radio.

Discography

Extended plays

TitleDetails
You (Me) [22]
  • Released: February 5, 2013
  • Label: Lovenest Records
  • Format: Digital download
Out of Love [23]
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: Source, Spinnin'
  • Format: Digital download
Useless [24]
  • Released: June 11, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Dance
[25]
"Feel Me"
(featuring Priyanka Atreya)		2013—You (Me) EP
"Your Song"
(featuring I Am Lightyear)		—
"Sedated"
(featuring Jeff Sontag)		—Non-album singles
"Brighter"
(featuring Jeff Sontag and I Am Lightyear)		2014—
"Our Names in Lights"
(featuring Breach the Summit)		—
"Long Way Home"
(featuring Breach the Summit)		—
"Forever"
(featuring Ktpearl)		2016—
"Overdose"
(with Exit Friendzone featuring Natalola)		—
"Emily"
(featuring James Delaney)		2017—
"Pacific Coast Highway"
(featuring Max)		—Out of Love EP
"Out of Love"
(featuring Cosmos & Creature)		—
"Mona Lisa Eyes"—
"While We're Dreaming"
(featuring Kevin Writer)		—Non-album singles
"Just a Kid"
(featuring Kevin Writer)		—
"Bandaid" [26] 2018—
"With My Homies" [27]
(featuring Juscova and James Delaney)		—
"Take It Off" [28] 2019—
"Dollar Menu" [29]
(featuring Dani Poppitt)		—
"Good For You" [30]
(featuring Juscova)		—
"No Drama" [31]
(featuring Kid Quill and New Beat Fund)		2020—
"Looking at You" [32]
(featuring Sam Vesso)		—
"Hell" [33] —
"Last Day" [34]
(featuring Josie Dunne)

"This will be my year" feat Point North"

2021—
"Useless" [35]
(featuring Emily Vaughn)		—
"Love Love" [36]
(with Ferris)		—
"Life's Too Short" [37]
(with Fitz)		—
"Wish You Were Here" [38]
(featuring John K)		2022—
"Timebomb" [39]
(featuring Mod Sun)		—
"Chloe" [40]
(featuring Jutes)		—
"Graduated" [41]
(featuring Bryce Vine)		—
"Hate Me" [42]
(featuring Billy Lockett)		—
"No Saving Us" [43]
(featuring Saygrace)		2023—
"More Than Yesterday"
(with Russell Dickerson)		35
"If Only I"
(with Loud Luxury featuring Bebe Rexha) [44] 		16
"Wrong Way" [45]
(with Alexander Stewart)		2024—

Remixes

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2021

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References

  1. ↑ "ALT 105.3 -Two Friends Interview". ALT 105.3 Radio. February 25, 2016.
  2. ↑ Mcdermott, Tess (2016). "NP Exclusive Interview: Two Friends". Noiseporn.
  3. ↑ "The Nocturnal Times Exclusive Interview: Two Friends". The Nocturnal Times. November 24, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Two Friends: A Match Made in Middle School". AUXORO. January 25, 2017.
  5. ↑ "The Lowdown || Two Friends". EDM Identity. November 27, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Interview: Two Friends". Louis T 91. June 14, 2017.
  7. ↑ Porter, Graham (2014-03-15). "Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (The Two Friends Remix)". Your Music Radar. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  8. ↑ "Overdose". Armada Music. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  9. ↑ "Two Friends complete the story with 'Mona Lisa Eyes' | News | Spinnin' Records". spinninrecords.com. 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  10. ↑ "Catch Two Friends On International Tour, Hear Infectious New Music Out On Spinnin' Sub Label SOURCE". RaverRafting. 2017-03-11. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  11. ↑ "Awesome People We Met at Electric Forest 2017" . Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  12. ↑ Rishty, David (2017-08-03). "The Chainsmokers Share Their List Of Most Underrated Dance Artists". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  13. ↑ Wu, Tingting (2022-02-21). "Two Friends bring the heat to Hotlanta with the Adventureland Tour (DMNW Review)". Dance Music NW. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  14. ↑ Cihak, Lennon (2022-07-14). "Two Friends Are Celebrating a Decade of 'Big Bootie Mix' With New Music Festival, Big Bootie Land". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  15. ↑ Major, Michael. "Two Friends Release 'Wish You Were Here' Featuring John K". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  16. ↑ Woldenberg, Kimberly Aleah,Ilana; Aleah, Kimberly; Woldenberg, Ilana (2023-04-15). "Two Friends on Their Coachella Debut, Touring and Friendship | The Green Room". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-07-20.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ "Two Friends - Planet Two Friends: The Tour". Discover Atlanta. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  18. ↑ Zisman, Erica (2023-05-10). "Two Friends Collab with Russell Dickerson on New Song "More Than Yesterday"". CS. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  19. ↑ Sunkel, Cameron (2023-06-23). "Two Friends, Loud Luxury and Bebe Rexha Drop Peak Summer Anthem, "If Only I"". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  20. ↑ Sunkel, Cameron (2023-06-09). "Two Friends Write Another Chapter In the "Big Bootie" Dynasty With Chicago Performance". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  21. ↑ "Two Friends Friendly Sessions". Soundcloud. 2017.
  22. ↑ "You (Me) - EP by Two Friends on Apple Music". iTunes Store . 5 February 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Out of Love - Single by Two Friends on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 24 February 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Useless - EP by Two Friends on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs: Week of May 27, 2023". Billboard . Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  26. ↑ Callwood, Brett (June 22, 2018). "Premiere: Two Friends Drop "Bandaid" Single". LA Weekly . Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  27. ↑ "With My Homies (feat. JUSCOVA & James Delaney) - Single by Two Friends on Apple Music". iTunes Store . Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  28. ↑ Risthy, David (January 24, 2019). "Two Friends Release Dance-Pop Bop 'Take It Off': Exclusive". Billboard . Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Dollar Menu (feat. Dani Poppitt) - Single by Two Friends on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 19 April 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Good For You (feat. JUSCOVA) - Single by Two Friends on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  31. ↑ "No Drama - Single by Two Friends, Kid Quill & New Beat Fund on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  32. ↑ Kupfer, Rachel (May 22, 2020). "Two Friends get tropical in latest Dim Mak release, 'Looking At You'". EDM.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  33. ↑ Mao, Jessica (October 2, 2020). "Two Friends raise 'Hell' in celebratory dance-pop cut". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Last Day (feat. Josie Dunne) - Single by Two Friends on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 26, 2021.
  35. ↑ Salafia, Zach (June 17, 2021). "Two Friends are anything but 'Useless' in new single with Emily Vaughn". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Love Love - Single by Two Friends & Ferris on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Life's Too Short - Single by Two Friends & Fitz on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  38. ↑ "Wish You Were Here - Single by Two Friends & John K on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Timebomb - Single by Two Friends & Mod Sun on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  40. ↑ "Chloe - Single by Two Friends & Jutes on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Graduated - Single by Two Friends & Bryce Vine on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Hate Me - Single by Two Friends & Billy Lockett on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  43. ↑ "No Saving Us by Two Friends & Saygrace from USA". Popnable. February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Bebe Rexha Joins Loud Luxury & Two Friends on 'If Only I'". Broadway World. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Wrong Way - Single by Two Friends & Alexander Stewart on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
  46. ↑ "Head Up High (Two Friends Remix) by FITZ & Fitz and The Tantrums on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
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