Electronic Duo ARMNHMR Creates Transformative Experiences with ‘Together As One’
Writer Sofia Gomez chats with Joseph Abella and Joseph Chung on their latest album, touring, and the power of dance music
From left, Joseph Abella and Joseph Chung of ARMNHMR opening for The Chainsmokers on Aug. 20.
Ojas Devanathan
Words by Sofia Gomez
Dance music takes listeners on a sonic roller coaster through rhythmic beats, heart-pounding drops, and strong build-ups that evoke a variety of emotions—bliss, solace, and nostalgia, to name a few. In a genre that explores profound sentiments, Los Angeles Asian American duo Joseph Chung and Joseph Abella of ARMNHMR are an innovative force embracing a dynamic range of emotions and experiences through their discography. Their presence in the dance music sphere is one to be reckoned with—creating their respective #HammerSound through melodic interludes with captivating drops and traversing a variety of sub genres like dubstep, trance, future bass, and more.
Forming a friendship from their shared passion for dance music, the two went from festival goers to headliners. Since 2015, ARMNHMR has carved their own path in the electronic circuit—lighting up stages across the globe at festivals like Lollapalooza, Tomorrowland, and EDC Las Vegas.
The incandescent pair just released their sophomore album Together As One via Monstercat on Aug. 31. Inspired by the various influences they’ve found in dance music over the years, the duo hopes this album will resonate with listeners ready to embark on an important journey through personal growth. They’ve been on their own journey: the two originally bonded over a shared passion for dance music, and have spent the last eight years creating a name for themselves on the festival circuit, playing stages from Lollapalooza to Tomorrowland to EDC Las Vegas.
Currently on tour for the new album, ARMNHMR wrote in (as one voice), answering my questions about their album, their impact in the dance music circuit, and the importance of Asian representation.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Sofia Gomez: Congratulations on the release of your album. How does it feel to drop a new album three years after The Free World?
ARMNHMR: It really is a bittersweet feeling. You spend so much time working on something so long that you start creating a bond with it. It is a sweet feeling, however, to finally be able to let the world hear it. When we released it, it no longer was ours, but the world’s. That’s usually when we can let go and enjoy [the songs] on the other end with everyone [else].
SG: Can you tell us what this album represents for you both and any important themes you want fans to take away?
A: The album tries to encapsulate the full spectrum of human emotion (loss, sadness, bliss, passion, etc). Together As One was meant to showcase the highs and lows of life—something everyone experiences. We're not so black and white. It’s a long and full experience that rarely takes you down normal expectations and roads.
SG: Before the album dropped, you pre-released three tracks off Together As One: “Drowning (feat. Heleen),” “Someone to Forget (feat. Lights),” and “Lifelife (feat. Lena Leon).” The sequence of these tracks together feel very personal, with messages of personal growth and touching on the importance of mental health. Were these tracks inspired from your own struggles and experiences?
A: It was a combination of both. All of our songs deal with some sort of mental state. Many times the lyrics are personal dialogues. Working with these singers, we wanted them to really express themselves. We feel like [the] songs as a whole feel raw and relatable when the vocalist we work with is able to get hands-on.
SG: Why did you think this was the right time to share Together As One with the world?
A: We’ve been working on this album since the start of COVID. Writing a large body of work rarely goes according to plan. As the years went on we would start and scrap ideas until we got a balanced body of work we were proud of. Together As One is the final collection of songs we wrote in a time where society was as chaotic as could be.
SG: You’re currently back on the road for the second leg of your eponymous tour with fans looking forward to Together As One’s first live performance. What do you anticipate for the second half of the tour?
A: We’re super stoked [to be back on tour]! In phase one, we noticed that people weren’t as familiar with the new songs. The songs took a life of its own, and as time went on, we noticed more and more people singing along. We’re excited to see how far [this album] has come along [in phase two]!
SG: Over the last eight years together as ARMNHMR, listeners have seen the musical growth in your catalog—from the 2015 single “Fallen (feat. Desiree Dawson)” to the present day with Together As One. Your music has allowed fans to experience dance music in ways they’ve never experienced before relying on your respective #HammerSound movement. In what ways do you feel ARMNHMR has redefined the sonic boundaries of dance music?
A: It’s such a blessing in general to be able to influence the course of music in any way. I like to think that our sound isn’t quite EDM, but not quite radio.
We're true fans of music and are constantly growing as artists. We always wanted [fans] to feel something at the core when listening to our music, regardless of where our musical tastes have shifted. We want everything about our music to feel relatable and validating. The human experience is messy and often misunderstood, but at the core real and raw.
SG: Those who have attended your shows or sets at festivals have often described your music as an “emotional journey” that makes them “feel.” It’s also provided a safe space for others who can relate to the evocative themes presented in your discography. Do you believe ARMNHMR has made a positive impact on its listeners?
A: We like to think so! We really believe music is cathartic and has the power to heal. If even one person feels like they’re understood and useful then that’s already a win in our book. Even with the shows we plan, we want all our supporters to find common ground and love at our shows.
SG: How would you both personally describe the music that ARMNHMR creates?
A: We like to describe it as emotional dance music. While our songs aren’t necessarily always melodic bass, the core ethos of our music is to tell the human experience. Good music is good music—all we’re trying to make is good music.
SG: After many years together, how do you keep creating while maintaining your essence?
A: No matter how long we’ve been doing this we know that this life is a blessing. It was never meant to last forever. So as long as we’re ARMNHMR we’re going to focus on keeping what we’ve built pure. We’re trying to build a culture that goes beyond music. As long as our art comes from the right place, we never have to worry how it’s taken.
SG: At the start of your career, you’ve shared how there weren’t many role models for you in the electric circuit, leading ARMNHMR to become one of many Asian American pioneers in the EDM sphere. How important is it for you to see Asian representation in this industry?
A: It’s extremely important! Representation helps pave a path. Growing up as Asian Americans, we never had role models that showed us that a path in the arts was reachable.
SG: Even though ARMNHMR is Los Angeles based, you both have your respective roots [Chung is Korean American and Abella is Filipino American]. How important is it for you to share your heritage and culture through your music?
A: It is important, but we try not to make it our main priority when it comes to our music. In the end, the ability for music to connect goes beyond heritage and culture. We never want to alienate anyone.
While we are extremely proud of where we came from, we want ARMNHMR to be relatable not only because we’re Asian, but because we are human.
SG: There will be a day when ARMNHMR retires and you begin to take stock of your accomplishments and overall legacy. What do you want ARMNHMR to be remembered for?
A: We never really thought about that. At the end of the day we want our legacy for ARMNHMR to be something useful to people in any period. Life isn’t easy, and as long as it is difficult we want our art to have a place.
We believe music is timeless and want our message to extend to people well beyond our scope.
Published on October 12, 2023
Words by Sofia Gomez
Sofia E. Gomez is a freelance music journalist with a focus covering female K-pop acts, rock, and EDM. A Mexican American journalist based in San Diego, she considers herself an avid concertgoer, rave bae, former scene kid, and girl group stan. Her work has appeared in publications including GRAMMY.com, REMEZCLA, Teen Vogue, etc. In her free time, she enjoys drinking hard kombucha, watching The Jersey Shore, and collecting cow squishmallows. Follow her on Twitter @sofiaegomez1.