We caught up with Sofi Tukker in Paris before the new year during their R.I.P. Shame European Headline Tour, just a few months after the release of their newest EP, Dancing on the People and just days before the release of their newest video for their song, Purple Hat. 

You may know the electronic music duo from hits such as Drinkee or Best Friend which was also featured in an Apple commercial. You’ll also find that often times, their lyrics are in Portuguese thanks to Sophie (1/2 of Sofi Tukker)’s passion for Brazil and the bossa nova style of music.

If there’s one thing about Sofi Tukker that’s never in question, it’s their energy levels – whether it be via their music or watching them live on stage, there is no way you can keep still whether you’re listening or watching. Their liveliness being absolutely contagious, this upbeat and refreshing duo will keep you on your feet and guarantee that you’ll never have a dull moment, whether or not you’re able to keep up with their Portuguese lyrics. Check out our fun interview with them below!

How does fashion inspire you? Do you pay any attention to brands and trends? If so, which ones?

S: Fashion definitely inspires me now. I’m really loving brands who are celebrating inclusivity right now. It’s about time. I really loved Chromat’s most recent fashion show for that reason and I love following them.

T: fashion is really interesting to follow because it says a lot about what people are feeling and thinking in culture. Like if we’re in a stare of rebellion or in a xanex phase or in a happier phase. I’m most inspired by colors.

How would you say your personal style has changed over the years?

S: I haven’t always been comfortable with fashion. I grew up in the rainforest, wearing either soccer clothes or tramping around the forest in fleece. And I always felt guilty spending money or having much stuff. So it’s been a process to embrace fashion and figure out how to do it on my terms. I feel like I’m still learning about what feels good as I’m getting to know more about the landscape and different humans involved.

T: I think I have just gotten more comfortable wearing what I want to wear and not really caring.

Is there a difference between your onstage and offstage style?

S: Yes definitely. On stage, I always wear something white, flowy, moveable: a tight bodysuit or bra and high wasited flowy pants. With strips of neon, so that the light can pick it up.

Off stage, I play around. I love monochromatic colors and tracksuits. Being able to move and dance is important offstage too.

T: I guess I wear my tights on stage cuz they help me move better. But not much difference other than that!

How much time do you spend together when you’re not on tour?

S: We live together. I live in a back house and Tuck lives in the main house and our studio is in the main house. We are pretty much always together. He’s my best friend!

T: All of it.

What’s on the bucket list both as a professional duo, and as individuals?

S: Bucket list professionally… I want to create music I love and that makes me feel alive. As an individual, I want to live near my family and casually be able to have dinner together.

T: I just want to go around the world many more times and get bigger every time. I want to make music that changes the course of the dance genre.

I know you try to eat well while on the road but what do you do when it becomes a challenge to find certain things on the road or in different countries? Has it ever really become a challenge to find something foodwise?

S: I really go out of my way to eat well on the road and with a little planning, everything and anything is possible. The only time it becomes challenging is when I don’t plan. Like if we are going to the airport in a random country that definitely won’t have healthy or tasty airport food, to find something the day before to bring with me.

T: I go to bed hungry all the time.

What are your guilty pleasures (food or other)?

S: Chocolate

T: Questionable television shows

What’s one of your funniest stories from touring on the road? (Can be something you experienced together or separately)

S: Hmm…. it’s only funny now but I broke my foot on stage in Australia a couple months ago. It was such a freak accident. We interpreted it as time to take a break from the road and write some music!

T: Ya, that was “hilarious”…

You often collaborate with other artists/friends in your music, do you foresee any other songs with a large group of collaborators like for “Best Friend”? Was it difficult to have so many people on board for one song?

S: It actually was difficult to do a large group of collaborators because of Spotify! We were only allowed to officially tag the song to three artist pages, and we had four. So that really bummed us out. But other than that, it was a dream to all get together in Ibiza to shoot the video.

T: We just made the song and emailed it to our friends for some vocal additions so it was chill, wasn’t too many cooks in the kitchen musically or anything!

Dream collab for the future?

ST: Stromae. Manu Chao.

24 hours in Paris no work just play – what are you gonna do, who are you gonna see, will you even sleep?

S: I’m obsessed with sleep so yes, definitely. Paris is such a romantic city to me. I love getting lost.

T: I would take a scooter and ride around and go shopping.

How do you see the music industry changing in the upcoming years? Do you think it will be easier for young artists to grow and have control over their work?

S: I really hope that the music industry just becomes healthier over the upcoming years. It’s time to normalize a tour life that is actually sustainable. I hope that the industry joina together to protect artists and crew for their sanity and health.

T: I don’t know if it’ll be easier. It’s easier to have a shit but harder to cut through, because there are so many artists.

Interview and backstage portrait on disposable camera by Khuyen Do