Married duo, HOFFEY, is made up of Jordan Toohey and Erika Toohey, who met while studying music abroad in Sydney, Australia in 2014. The indie-electronic duo quickly hit it off and with their great chemistry began writing and performing songs together. After getting married in 2016, the couple formed HOFFEY to create their music and inspire others.
HOFFEY released their debut track, “Love Is Wild,” in the summer of 2018, and the single currently has over 1 million streams across Spotify and Apple music. The duo just released their second single, “Alive,” and are gearing up for their upcoming tour along with an EP release. Erika and Jordan chatted with us about their introductory meeting, their earliest memories of music, their latest single, influences, and their music fun favorites.
You guys met while studying music abroad in Sydney, Australia. When did you both know you wanted to create music together?
Erika and Jordan Toohey: We were paired up in class to write a song together and sparks definitely started flying. From then on we just kept writing and performing together and I guess the rest is history!
What is each of your earliest memories of being drawn to music?
Erika: For me I was drawn to music as early as I can remember. I grew up with my parents always blasting music in the house. Like Norah Jones, Dido and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I started playing piano when I was 8 and singing as soon as I could talk.
Jordan: I was drawn to music since I was a baby. If it was dancing, slapping guitars or slamming pots and pans to make a beat, I was all about it. When I was 8, I started playing electric guitar, then at the age of 12 I started playing drums, i loved rhythm and beats – I was really into Hip Hop and R&B music; still am. At the age of 15 I stepped away from drums and revisited guitar as I had a huge desire to write my own music.
Your latest single, “Alive,” features rhythmic electro-pop, with smooth vocals. What is you guys’ writing and recording process like?
Erika and Jordan: Every song is different. But usually we start with a lyric idea or a melody. The song will usually start out slower, written on piano or guitar and from there we add electronic elements to bring it to life.
Who are each of you guys’ main influences in the music you create?
Erika and Jordan: For both of us we’re inspired by so many artists. We love finding new music all the time. But some of our biggest influences range from Lana Del Rey, to Chet Faker, Ben Howard, Norah Jones, Louis the Child and so many more.
You both are gearing up for a new EP release with a fall tour. Can you tell us more about these?
Erika and Jordan: We can’t say too much yet but we’ve been working really hard on it and are excited to be putting more music out soon!
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
Erika and Jordan: Our first concert together was Ben Howard. Favorite so far might be FKJ. He’s insanely gifted and mesmerizing to watch live!
What was your first album on cassette, CD and/or vinyl?
Erika and Jordan: We love collecting vinyls. Our first vinyl we got together was probably the Beach Boys’ Endless Summer.
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Erika and Jordan: Couldn’t live without Sticky Fingers – Caress Your Soul, Norah Jones – Come Away With Me, Lana Del Rey – Born To Die, Ben Howard – I Forget Where We We’re, Bob Marley – Exodus
Do you have a guilty music and/or entertainment pleasure?
Erika and Jordan: (laughs) Well, we do love the hype and excitement we get from the audience when we perform. It’s cool to see and hear people’s reactions on your music especially when you’ve been working so hard on it for so long and you wonder if it’s even good anymore. (laughs)
Find Hoffey on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Stream their music on Spotify
