FvF Mixtape #155: FHAT - Friends of Friends / Freunde von Freunden (FvF)

FvF Mixtape #155: FHAT

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Sedric Perry and Aaron Pfeiffer, better known as FHAT, curate the latest Friends of Friends mixtape, bringing together an array of nostalgic tracks by the likes of Chaka Khan, Minnie Riperton, and The Bee Gees.

  • Can you tell me a bit about yourselves? Where do you both come from?

    Sedric Perry: We’re both originally from different parts of Pennsylvania. We’ve lived in New York and LA.

    Aaron Pfeiffer: We have now both been living in Berlin for a little over two years. We both come from varying musical backgrounds, but we blend together really nicely!

  • What were some of the first records/artists you listened to when you were younger?

    SP: Aside from all the gospel music my mother would play, Sade and Whitney Houston had a huge impact on me while I was growing up.

    AP: My family had a rather eclectic mix of musical preferences. My mom loved jazz and soul, my dad was a rocker, and my sister was a punk rocker. As a result, my range of influences was quite varied, and included the likes of Jill Scott, Janis Joplin, Metallica, and Lauryn Hill.

  • How did you meet and what attracted you to start to make music together?

    SP: We met in LA. Aaron and I found we had a lot in common and started spending a lot of time together. But it wasn’t until we both arrived in Europe that we decided to work together musically.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s important to discuss sexuality as much I think it’s nice that we are learning to create art that’s authentic to who we are.”

  • What made you move to Berlin?

    AP: My mother is from a town near Cologne. I have family here and German citizenship so it was a new place that opened itself up to me. I signed my first publishing deal with Universal Music Germany and just ended up staying.

    SP: For me, Berlin was a place to experiment and try new things. There’s also a really supportive artist community that we’re a part of here: a small group of people, many of whom are queer, who really want the best for each other.

  • You identify as a queer duo – how does this influence your music? Why do you think it is still important to talk openly about sexuality through art?

    SP: I don’t necessarily think it’s important to discuss sexuality as much I think it’s nice that we are learning to create art that’s authentic to who we are. We use music to talk about our friendship, our lives, and many other things. Sexuality is just a part of it.

    AP: For me growing up as a singer I was always hiding my gayness. Being part of FHAT has allowed me to embrace this side of myself.

  • On social media you refer to yourselves as Hunter and Jackson.

    SP: We gave each other those names a few years ago in Las Vegas. It was my birthday and we wanted to get wild so we adopted these alter egos.

    AP: They really came into play later on when we adopted our ’70s branding.

  • You’ve just released your latest single called Curious. Can you tell me a bit more about the inspiration behind the song?

    AP: We often try to flirt with straight guys and they tend to flirt back. This song for me is about indulging in this curiosity.

    SP: There’s this cheesy guitar in it that’s really nostalgic. Something about it reminds me of ‘80s themed television programs like Stranger Things and Saved by the Bell. It puts me back in high school and makes me think about the time I dated a guy on the football team.

  • How did you select the songs for this mixtape?

    AP: These songs are iconic to us. They feel good. We want to remind people that music is here to spread good vibes!

Originally from Pennsylvania in the U.S., Sedric Perry and Aaron Pfeiffer are the founding members of rising queer music duo FHAT. Now based in Berlin, the pair have released several singles, the latest being ‘Curious’, an ’80s infused track inspired by sexual exploration. If you’d like to read more Friends of Friends stories about queer creatives, why not check out our profile on Don Aretino, the Berlin-based fashion designer who explores his identity as a gay Muslim through his collections. Or, if you’d like to listen to more playlists curated by international artists, head over to our Mixtape section

Text: Emily May
Photography: Celeste Call and Matthias Leton

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