Cool Company is a Brooklyn based writer/producer duo composed of vocalist Yannick Hughes (Cool Yan) and producer Matt Fishman (Fat Matt). A notably creative duo, Cool Company blend elements of Funk, Soul and Hip Hop to create soundscapes that balance between mellow serenades and funkified grooves.

Now releasing a typically standout visual treatment for their 2020 track “Halos”, the track - a mellow yet melodically infectious R&B gem that combines Ukulele leads, funk-tinged bass and synths – is elevated to true cult status, directed by fellow Brooklyn-based filmmaker Waley Wang.

The video narrates the story of a romantic couple's wedding day being struck by the Apocalypse, told via a collection of intricate zoom shots trapped on a VHS tape, inspired by 80s horror films, Stanley Kubrick, and FrenchCinèma du look.

Cool Company sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for Music?

M: I have a musical family, my dad would teach us songs and we’d sing harmonies in the car. Even though none of my parents' generation chose music as a profession, they all have a good ear and basic training.  I’d say what really made me decide to pursue it though was hearing Nirvana during my angsty middle school years and wanting to adopt that 90s grunge aesthetic.  Fortunately my tastes evolved since then.

Y: My dad was always really into music and sound systems so it would playing damn near 24/7 throughout the entire house growing up, I would always go out with him to the record stores and music shops.  I remember my first big purchase I saved up for as a kid was a Panasonic shelf system, still got it and it still works!

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

M: Inflo is a great producer working out of london whose sound is really smooth, nutritious and inimitable.  Some other ones are Anderson .Paak, Kahdja Bonet, Emily King, Cleo Sol, Monte Booker, Kaytranada.

3. What are some of the problems you have faced making and releasing the music during the coronavirus pandemic?

M: The pandemic didn’t really mess up the actual songwriting process, since Yan and I live together and have a home studio, but it messed up pretty much everything else.  Our music videos were delayed, vinyl orders interrupted, and live shows indefinitely put on hold.

Y: There was a whole where I was really enjoying the time to myself but I’ve definitely reached that point where I need to get out of the house and experience life again for a renewed sense of inspiration.

4. How would you describe your sound?

M:  I like “Future R’n’b” as a genre for us.  To get into more detail I’d say it toes that line of pop, hiphop, electronic, and RnB, taking the best elements from all of them.  Groove and harmony are equally important to our sound.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

M: A fan messaged us a few months ago saying our song “Beneath The Lights” saved her life during a period of suicidal thoughts.  If that’s true i can't imagine a greater achievement as an artist.

Y: In a far second to that I would say when we weren’t getting any love from blogs while looking to premiere ‘Bust it Open’ and it ended up being one of our biggest songs to date.  It let us know to trust ourselves and have faith in what we believe.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

M: Find what you like to make and keep developing that sound.  You need to make loads and loads of beats/songs before you’re really ready to release anything unless you’re some kind of prodigy.  Don’t get impatient after like one year and kick everyone out of your band and decide to change your name and style - you need consistency.

Y: The more you can learn to do for yourself  early on and the more you empower your peers and your circle the more leverage you’re gonna have down the line when it counts. At the end of the day though, only you truly know your own situation/circumstances and reasons for making music and it’s important to build trust within yourself.

7. Are there any artists on your radar at the moment that we should check out?

M: Linda Diaz - Another artist I produce for - we just won the NPR Tiny Desk Contest with our song Green Tea Ice Cream and are about to start rolling out our second EP. Other Faves are Sault, Nic Hanson, Cleo Sol, Hank Midnight.

Y: I listen to waayyy too much Drill, mostly NY specifically.  Outside of that I I’m really into Frvfriday, Kota, Kamauu, Pink Sweat$, Chloe x Halle, and even though we haven’t heard a new project from him in forever, Frank Ocean.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

M: Sault - Untitled (Rise), Adrianne Lenker - Songs.

Y: FRVRFRIDAY - Offline and WHOISFRIDAY, Sheff G - Proud of me now.

I don’t listen to full projects as much as I should but those are the last few that keep going back to.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

M: Spend time outside, video editing, gardening, some light woodworking and handyman stuff, travel, biking, fighting with our cat Will.

Y: Overthinking, anything plant related, hand lettering, drawing, doom scrolling, stressing, collecting cat scratches, and always looking for new phone games.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

M: I can improvise with whatever limitations there are, but I’d say the top 3 used things in the stu are the midi keyboard, bass guitar, and my big bag of random percussion instruments.

Y: Plants, dope lighting, and of course the studio cat Willow.