Photo by Scott Free at The Rex Agency
FiNE x Lizwi – “The Light” – Out now on MoBlack Records
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FiNE is the sonic brainchild of twin brothers Craig and Darren Fine, who share a lifelong passion, and hunger for music.
Emerging twin brother DJ duo and Progressive Afro House producers FiNE have teamed up with Lizwi to release their debut MoBlack single “The Light.”
“The Light” is an extraordinary fusion of Progressive Afro House and traditional African sounds. The combination of the unique musical backgrounds of the FiNE twins and Lizwi creates a sonic experience that is both captivating and deeply rooted in their shared heritage.
Since moving to Los Angeles recently, FiNE have been taking the local scene by storm with recurring shows at La Mesa called FiNE Fridays, and additional sets at venues including Shangri-La Hotel, Mondrian, AYA Lounge, The Cook’s Garden in Venice, Caffe Roma and more. They also played the prestigious livestream location EPHIMERA Tulum to deliver a top notch Progressive Afro House sunset mix, which can be watched here.
FiNE is an artist project from twin brothers born in Johannesburg, and raised in Botswana. Given their upbringing, they describe their music and DJ sets as Progressive Afro House. With a life journey already covering South Africa, Botswana, Israel, and Australia, they have deep connections to global audiences and it shows through their signature sound. It’s undeniable that the twins’ multicultural upbringing shapes their Afro-infused DJ sets and original productions.
After hearing “The Light” I was hooked. Who are these guys?! And why haven’t I heard of them before? I’ve literally been listening to them since this single dropped. I went down a rabbit hole and was eager to learn more. I reached out for an interview and was eager to learn more about their journey. These twins hail from South Africa, moved to Los Angeles, and you will never believe their last name. This is going to be fun.
It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to FiNE.
Thanks for doing this, guys. Excited to have you here. Where are you guys based and how do you define Progressive Afro House?
We just relocated to Europe and will be based in the Netherlands for the next few months. We have some exciting Europe shows to announce soon. We are planning an end of year South Africa, Bali, and an Australia tour, and plan on revisiting America early in 2024.
In terms of Progressive Afro House, it’s a term we’ve coined to describe how we’re pushing the boundaries of traditional Afro House with the inclusion of much bigger base lines and leads, more transient percussion, and overall, more of a driving feel.
Where did the name come from? And why do you spell it like that?
Our last name is actually Fine, which is how we got the name. In terms of its spelling, we really strive to make music that feels fresh and edgy, almost quirky, and this is why we used both lowercase and uppercase letters, and spell it the way we do.
You were born in Johannesburg and raised in Botswana. What was it like growing up in South Africa? Do you get home much now living in the States?
We feel like we grew up between Botswana and South Africa. We lived in Botswana, went to school there etc. but traveled about 10 times a year to South Africa for vacation and to visit family. It was an amazing upbringing, we were taught to be independent from a very young age, went to a world class school and were exposed to a multitude of cultures which music wise influenced us significantly. After our family relocated to Australia in 2012, we haven’t spent much time in Africa, but we’re stoked to go back there at the end of the year!
You worked with Lizwi on “The Light” out now on MoBlack Records. How did you connect with her and what was your experience like producing and releasing that single? She did a great job on this, by the way!
We reached out to Lizwi via Instagram. From the very beginning, she has been a pleasure to work with. We sent her a track bed and gave her free reign on the vocals. She did an amazing job writing. We then worked her vocals back into the track. We’re happy with how “The Light” turned out, and we actually have a 2nd track called “Nomathemba” with Lizwi too, which we think will be a really special release.
I missed the release party at Mondrian Los Angeles. How was it?
The event was incredible! Our local fans and friends showed us so much love, and the crowd’s reaction to “The Light” was amazing. Definition and the team are known for hosting the most epic parties in LA, and being right on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, with the best views in Los Angeles takes things to a new level.
I love the photo on your website. Where is that?
The photo was taken in the desert in Palm Springs, California last year. We went out there to film a bunch of content, of which some we still haven’t even revealed yet.
What is your song writing process like? Do you sit down with a pad of paper, or are songs just coming to you in your sleep?
None of the above! We wish songs came to us in our sleep. (Laughs.) We more so produce based on experiences. For example, we were inspired to produce our new track “Kidonda” (unreleased) with Idd Aziz based on the Keinemusik Burning Man video from 2022. In terms of our actual production process, we always start with a kick and some percussion. Our goal is to get a strong groove going early on, and then start to build from there.
What headphones are you guys using?
For playing we each have a Sennheiser HD 25 Plus and for the studio, we use Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro. Most of our production work is done on headphones.
Summer is winding down. Any plans for a tour this fall/winter? I’d love to see FiNE live.
We’re gearing up for a series of shows around Europe later this year. After that, we leave for a South Africa, Bali, and Australia tour starting in December. In early 2024, we will be making a return to the U.S. for a run of shows in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.
You guys are in LA now. There are a lot of great clubs in Los Angeles. Where is your favorite place to see a show?
LA has a lot of amazing venues, especially with the huge “after hours” warehouse scene it has in Downtown LA. We do have a soft spot though for Sound Nightclub in Hollywood, it hosts nearly all of the international DJs that we follow. That place is like a festival, with some of the most amazing sound and lighting you can get. To play, it’s like a DJs paradise and it never fails to deliver an unforgettable night especially with a packed crowd.
Are you guys working on an EP or a full-length album? Eager to hear more!
We’re sitting on a lot of completed tracks, with many of them scheduled for release already. Whilst there’s potential for an EP, and more than enough music for an album, our instinct tells us that most of the tracks are better off being released as singles, and so you will be seeing a lot of individual releases over the next few months.
Who inspires you? You have such a unique sound. I love it… But what are you listening to when you’re not working on your next banger?
Thank you! To be honest, most of our Spotify library is Afro House. (Laughs.) We’re obsessed… In saying that, we love jazz-soul from Tom Misch and Jordan Rakei, and listen to a lot of older music such as Earth, Wind & Fire, and Steely Dan.
Who did the album cover for “The Light”?
MoBlack arranged the album cover, but it was done by Rachael D’Alessandro, she’s super talented. We gave input throughout and are really happy with how it turned out. It just feels right and captures the vibe of the track perfectly.
What’s next for FiNE?
You can expect consistent releases over the next few months, with shows around Europe and the U.S., and then the massive end of year tour. We’ve got a number of exciting collaborations and will be launching our own record label soon as well.
We’ve talked about a lot today. But what am I missing? What else can you tell me about FiNE?
We’ve obviously discussed a lot, but we are keeping some juicy stuff under wraps which we will announce soon. We’ve got a stacked, and a really exciting release schedule over the next few months, and some amazing artists have remixed a bunch of our songs. Stay tuned by following us on social media, and we promise we will reveal more soon. Thanks so much for your time, Ricky, this has been great!
Thanks for doing this, guys. That was fun. In all the interviews I always give the artist the last word. Go.
It’s been a pleasure to do this interview, this is just the beginning of our journey, and as we continue to take on the world, we look forward to connecting again.
About FiNE:
Craig and Darren Fine, twin brothers, share an unbreakable lifelong bond like most siblings. However, their journey in life has been extraordinary and has shaped them into unique individuals and musical artists. The Fine brothers, pioneers of the Progressive Afro House genre, have developed their distinctive sound through a blend of diverse musical influences.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Craig and Darren relocated to Botswana during their early schooling years. As expatriates in Botswana, they embraced the local customs, culture, and music. The brothers displayed their musical talents at a very young age with Craig on drums, Darren on piano, and both playing instruments like steel pans and marimbas.
During their time in high school, Craig and Darren moved to Sydney, Australia, where they immersed themselves in the vibrant local electronic music scene. Their next adventure took them to Tel Aviv, where they balanced a day job while refining their fresh and eclectic sound in the city’s pulsating underground scene. They performed at numerous venues and festivals, including a prominent slot on the main stage at the Corona Sunsets Festival, garnering international support.
Following their overseas success, the Fine brothers returned to Australia, captivating audiences from coast to coast at the country’s hottest venues. Eventually, they settled in their current home of Los Angeles. With their unique sound, FiNE has made waves in the Melodic and Afro House charts, consistently achieving top 10 Beatport releases. Notable among their successes is a remix of Paul Oakenfold and Aloe Blacc’s hit “I’m In Love” and their chart-topping debut EP Forbidden Fruit released on Australia’s esteemed label, The Recovery Collective. In November 2022, they celebrated the release of their newest single “Cloud 9” on Recovery Collective. The original track captures the essence of FiNE’s Progressive Afro House style–melodic, driving, euphoric, and yet possessing a distinct edge. The single’s remix package features interpretations from renowned artists such as Kalil, Elliott Creed, and Jack Colletta. Most recently, FiNE collaborated with EPHIMERA Tulum, delivering a breathtaking live sunset mix.
Currently, FiNE is planning an end-of-year tour in South Africa, Australia, and Bali. With their unparalleled sound, exceptional discography, and wealth of musical and life experiences, FiNE possesses an undeniable “it factor” that will captivate fans and propel the Progressive Afro House movement to new heights
About MoBlck:
Mimmo’s (the label’s founder) tenure as Traxsource Afro House A&R Manager from 2016-2018 spanned some of the most formative and progressive eras for Afro House, motivating its inclusion as an official Beatport genre in 2018. But it is MoBlack’s house, MoBlack Records, that built a home for talented producers, from established names to up and coming superstars. The Italian born and globally raised artist has given back to the community, scouring the world for fresh sounds and showcasing sheer and raw talent to the global arena. MoBlack carried the onus on his shoulders, to evolve and advance the Afro House sound, and he delivered, setting the bar higher as he pushed the genre further, cross-pollinating into other genres.
For more information about FiNE, go to:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | SoundCloud | Spotify
