Get To Know: The Floozies

Today marks the release day for The Floozies' first label release album, "Tell Your Mother". The Floozies consists of Mark and Matt Hill, two musical brothers from Lawrence, Kansas.

The two have been spending their autumn months touring around the country for music festivals and at local shows.

The electronic duo has a fresh approach to electronic music. The brothers combine "cutting edge electronic production and party rocking funk to energize their crowds and turn venues into epic dance parties".

Empty Lighthouse had some time to talk to Mark Hill, the drummer of the duet about their musical background and some upcoming plans. Get to know The Floozies, here!

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: How did you get your start in music?
MARK: Matt started playing guitar as a kid and I started playing drums as a kid.

We both had bands ranging from punk and metal to jazz and hip-hop with friends while growing up.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: How did you decide to form "The Floozies"?
MARK: We are brothers so we were always around and both playing music.

While we were in college playing jazz, Matt started doing guitar lopping gigs at coffee shops and he had an idea to add drums. A few house parties later and The Floozies were born.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: Who do you consider your musical influences?
MARK: All the classic funk stuff growing up. Our parents played a lot of Earth, Wind and Fire and PFunk.

We went through all sorts of musical phases with lots of influences.

Currently we have been listening to a very wide variety because we have so much time on the road.

A few favorites are Amon Tobin Lettuce, George Straight, Gramatik, Rick James and James Brown - off the top of my head.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: In spare time, who are some bands and artists you listen to?
MARK: Anything we haven't already heard of is fair game.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: How did you come up with the name "The Floozies"?
MARK: Our mom used it jokingly about women we knew sometimes growing up, and we just wanted a fun name it seemed to fit our style.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry, who would it be and why?
MARK: Producer wise, Gramatik.

He is a thorough producer beast and working with him could be very cool. Matt just played some guitar on Griz's new album and it turned out really well.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What has been your most memorable touring experience?
MARK: There are just so many good memories from touring that I hate to compare.

I will say our sunrise set at Wakarusa this past summer was an amazing moment for us. Definitely made me realize just how lucky we are and how things are looking up.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: If stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?
MARK: A boat, a babe and champagne.

Turn it into a little vacation. But if I was really stranded, I would want a nice water filter, composite bow and my big ass knife.

EMPTY LIGHTHOUSE: What are your upcoming plans in regards to touring, recording and releases?
MARK: We are dropping an album on Liberated Music on November 5th. It's an album we are extremely pumped about and will definitely turn some heads.

Plus, its our first label release ever so that's exciting. Touring plans are to just keep getting after it and get to as many places as possible to share the music!

To keep up with more tour dates and updated releases, check in with Mark and Matt of The Floozies at www.facebook.com/flooziesduo