II Faces talk about SYN, their roots, and what’s next

Your name and philosophy seem to revolve around an artistic duality. How would you describe your dynamic as a duo, and how does it influence the sound you create?
We’ve been friends since we were 17, and that bond really defines us as a duo. Over the years, we’ve learned to understand each other, both personally and musically. Sam tends to bring a more melodic and emotional touch, while Ben focuses on rhythm and energy. Together we create a balance that shapes the II Faces sound—something we couldn’t achieve separately. It’s really a reflection of our friendship and the path we’ve shared.

You blend house, deep house, funk, disco, and 90s music. Which artists or discoveries have inspired you the most?
Growing up, the energy of the late 90s and early 2000s had a huge impact on us—the raw grooves, the thrill of the clubs. Discovering house music was a natural evolution, connecting us to the roots of club culture. We’ve always loved funk and disco; they bring that joy and groove that still fuel our sets today. Artists like Kerri Chandler, DJ Buck, Apollonia, and Marco Carola have inspired us in different ways and helped shape our sound.

You’ve released on labels such as No Art, Moan, Politic of Dancing, Wyld, TBX, and Deep Perfect. What does each platform bring, and which collaboration has been the most special?
No Art allowed us to connect with an innovative scene, with a refined and detailed sonic identity. Moan represents the essence of minimal groove with a strong European club vibe. Politic of Dancing captures that pure house energy with a timeless, old-school touch that resonates with our roots.

Wyld and TBX have a fresher, more underground feel, closely tied to the new generation, which pushed us to explore new textures. And Deep Perfect is an institution in the world of tech-house, so releasing there was a true stamp of recognition. Of course, there are unforgettable moments too—like playing for No Art during ADE.

With a steady evolution—from EPs like Magic Garden to High for Me—how have you experienced that growth, and what lessons has it brought you?
Releasing Magic Garden was a huge milestone. It opened new doors in production and helped us refine our artistic identity. It also came out on Funkiman, Sem Jacob’s label, who gave us incredibly valuable advice on running a label. That experience inspired us to start our own, so we could release music more freely and personally.

Tell us about SYN.
The idea behind SYN was simple: we wanted to release our own music and build something to share with our community. We gathered a team of friends who believed in the project so we could handle everything ourselves—from the music and events to the art direction—while always maintaining a high standard.

The name always comes back to the music: for us, it’s about finding the right sound at the right time. That’s how The Sound You Need became SYN.

It’s hard to believe it’s already been almost a year! We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved: four incredible events—two in our hometown, Paris, at Fvtvr and Gate, and one in Italy, in Sorrento, at Maya Beach.

So far, we’ve released three EPs, including High for Me, which was very important to us—we really took our time shaping it with a sound engineer and a vocalist. Now, we’re full of energy, already planning the next one.

You’ve played at numerous high-profile international events. Which experiences marked a before and after, and why?
Looking back, our first steps in Ibiza, at Hï and Ushuaïa, will always hold a special place. Then came Amsterdam ADE—two years in a row with Brett and No Art—which were real turning points. This year, returning to Ibiza with Pacha felt like closing a circle, and of course, playing in Paris for Atarashi always brings a unique vibe. Performing in these iconic clubs is unforgettable—it’s every DJ’s dream, especially for us, who grew up on the dancefloor.

In an era oversaturated with online content, how do you maintain an authentic identity and connection with your fans?
It’s definitely a challenge, but we don’t want to get stuck in one lane. We try to share content that feels real and high-quality, inspired by our travels and personal experiences. At the end of the day, we’re simply music lovers—that’s what guides our decisions and keeps everything authentic.

How do you keep the motivation and chemistry alive during demanding tours or while producing?
We always get excited to go on tour—but funnily enough, we almost never talk about music before a set. We like to keep it as a surprise, even between us, and that keeps the chemistry alive. We completely trust each other, so even in tough moments, we know we can handle whatever comes.

On the production side, having our own sound in our sets is key—whether through edits of our tracks or unreleased material. We put a lot of effort into releasing music on our label and beyond, so it can reach people everywhere. For us, that’s the essence of being a DJ today.

After releasing High for Me, what can we expect in the coming months?
After spending time in the south of France this summer, we worked in an amazing studio—Marin Bloom Studio—where we created and signed two EPs that will be released next year. We can’t reveal too much yet, but we’ll share more soon.

In the meantime, we’ve just released our third EP on SYN, featuring Fantasia and Jumpin’, and the support so far has been incredible.