ET Boys Talk Music, Genre Influences, and More
INTERVIEW
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INTERVIEW ✦
Emerging from the vibrant music scene of South Florida, ET Boys is a genre-bending duo reaching audiences with their infectious blend of nu-pop, melodic hip-hop, and electronic soundscapes—culminating in their own unique nu alt pop style. Comprising brothers Tacboy and Sharkeyes, their music has proven to be a dynamic interplay of Tacboy's soulful vocals and Sharkeyes' innovative production techniques, generating millions of streams and over 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
Photo Credit: Mark Maryanovich
With a string of successful releases, including the chart-topping singles "Bong Bong" and "This Is Us," and their critically acclaimed EP Paopu, ET Boys have repeatedly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Their latest single, "Far Away," showcases a new facet of their sound, incorporating pop-punk influences while retaining their signature "ET Style" – a striking blend of electronic and organic elements.
Now, the powerhouse duo is breaking down their new music and upcoming album that we can only imagine will be just as charismatic as their latest addictive track, “Far Away”.
Your music has been accurately described as a unique blend of genres, often fitting into a Nu Alt Pop space. Can you describe your sound in your own words and discuss the artists and influences that have shaped your unique style?
Sharkeyes: It’s really hard to describe our sound. I don’t think anyone quite sounds like us. It’s a mix of a lot of different types of sounds. I grew up listening to all kinds of music. The artists I most admire and those that have inspired me are Lil Wayne, Phil Collins, CHVRCHES, and Kavinsky to name a few. From the video game world I am a huge fan of Nobuo Uematsu and Koji Kondo, the composers for Final Fantasy and Zelda. I think the soundtrack for Ocarina of Time is a god damn masterpiece. Any Final Fantasy game will have just straight bangers, it doesn’t matter which one you play.
"Far Away" definitely has some nostalgic pop-punk influence embedded within it. Can you tell us more about the creative process behind this new single and the inspiration for its retro-themed music video?
Sharkeyes: I actually remember making this beat when I saw GTA 6 was announced. I tried to capture a fun, poppy vibe with a little old-school 80s Miami synth flair. Rockstar Games, if you're reading this please put this song in the game!
You've achieved significant success with previous releases like "Bong Bong" and "This Is Us." How—if at all—have some of those previous experiences and releases impacted your present-day style?
Sharkeyes: I think our style is always evolving. We’re both getting better at what we bring to the band. Our synergy with one of my best friends Monsie (who does all our live guitar stuff) is getting better, too. Now when we all get together the new tunes come really easy.
You've described your sound as something that incorporates video game-esque elements. What are some of the main ways you tend to translate that unique aesthetic into your music?
Sharkeyes: A lot of times when I first start making a beat I imagine a scene in a movie or a video game and try to convey that emotion. For example, I’ll be like let me make a ‘when your boy was the villain the whole time’ type beat.
Tacboy, can you talk about your songwriting process and how you translate your personal experiences into lyrics?
Tacboy: I don’t have a set process really. I try to let myself go and write/say what comes to me. sometimes I have things written beforehand but most of the time I tailor my words as I listen to the song. Alcohol definitely helps [laughs]. I find when I overanalyze what I want to say in a song the lyrics come across as disingenuous or corny. To be able to find meaning in simple words or say ‘a lot’ by saying ‘a little’ is pretty cool.
Sharkeyes, your production, and innovative synth work have become key elements of your sound. In what ways would you say you’ve evolved from your first few releases?
Sharkeyes: I think I’ve gotten a bit better and still have a lot to learn but I’m proud of what I’ve done so far. I try to learn something new and grow with each beat I make. I still just try to make what I think sounds cool. I think that’s why a lot of our songs sound so different and it’s hard to categorize our genre.
You've mentioned plans for a new full-length album in 2025. What can you tell us about the direction you're heading in with your music?
Tacboy: We don’t know what kind of direction we are going to take. We let the music take us. We’re working on roughs to finals now. We don’t want to limit ourselves to a specific sound. It’ll sound cool though and it’ll be unique for sure. ET Style!
