Ahead of their set at Palm Springs festival Splash House, the superstar DJ duo curate a desert-ready playlist.
Ask SOFI TUKKER and they’ll tell you—they’re often mistaken for a single enigmatic female DJ. In reality, the act is the chart-topping duo Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern.
Their origin story reads like a campus meet-cute: Frankfurt-born Sophie was performing at an art gallery when she and Tucker crossed paths at Brown University, sparking a creative partnership that later took them to New York City. Together, they crafted a string of infectious hits that propelled them from the Grammys stage all the way to Coachella.
These days, when they’re not dropping new tracks, they’re fixtures of the summer festival circuit—returning to Palm Springs this weekend for Splash House, the three-hotel party that has redefined desert partying. Read on for our exclusive interview with the duo, plus a specially curated playlist to get you road trip-ready this summer.
What sets a desert crowd apart?
A desert crowd is down to brave the elements for a good time. You know they really wanna be there and they’re fully committed. There’s also something about the Mad Max effect that makes people feel anonymous so they go a little crazier.
How have you seen house festivals evolve as the genre has grown in popularity in recent years?
The crowds have definitely been getting bigger and there are more electronic music festivals popping up.
Describe your pre-show pump-up.
I hit Tucker as hard as I can on the back. It stings. It’s fun. And consensual lol. -s
What can we expect from your set this weekend?
Some exclusive edits and a ‘Tucker Awareness Moment.’ Somehow people still think SOFI TUKKER is one girl named Sofi so we gotta do what we can.
SOFI TUKKER — “Bodies Hit the Floor”
We just put out this remake of Drowning Pool’s iconic song, Bodies. Even though it’s a vocal from a metal song, you’d be surprised how well it works in literally every scenario. Highlight of the set every time.
Hatiras — “Hypnotized”
When we have been playing this song recently, we have done a ‘Tucker Awareness Moment’ to Sophie sampling the Spice Girls.
Pedroz — “Goodies”
This throwback feels like the best of middle school dances meeting a great new tech house song.
Low Steppa and Capri — “Got the Funk”
This is just a really good analog sounding house music track that feels so right.
Asaf Samuel and Darco — “Start The Party”
This is a sexy one—to quote the title—”start the party.” Love a little sexy sax.
Crush Club — “Original Sin” (SOFI TUKKER Remix)
An oldie but a goodie, it creates a nice emotional send off moment.
MPH — “Raw”
Raises the energy a little and has such good drums. Gives a UK garage moment.
Adam Sellouk — “Purple Hat” (Remix)
Love being able to play “Purple Hat” in such a different context and tempo.
Tim Hox — “Cithara”
This song actually became the inspiration for our song “Woof,” and we sample the “Woof” acappella in scenarios when it feels like playing the original wouldn’t be appropriate.
SOFI TUKKER — “Pick Up the Phone”
We recently put this song out, and it has a fun feature by our friend Nono from Brazil.
Words – Beatrice Hazlehurst
