By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) ARKAI is often described as “electro-acoustic” with their music, but how would you describe your sound?
Jonathan: 2CELLOS meets Hans Zimmer. Acoustic and electric sound worlds melded with classical beauty and cinematic scale.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
Philip: Too many to count! Our roots are in classical music, so we grew up playing the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and so many other amazing composers. Our sound has developed quite a bit over the years and drawn on different inspirations in its evolution. We’re inspired by crossover pioneers like 2CELLOS, The Piano Guys and electric string players like Lindsey Stirling. We both love film music, so cinematic influences from composers like John Williams and Hans Zimmer made their way into our sound from the very beginning. Beyond that, we absolutely love artists who are pushing the edges and doing their own thing like Jacob Collier and Jon Batiste.
Q) Talk about the story behind your song “Brightside.” What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
Jonathan: Our music is typically quite emotional, dynamic and cinematic. “Brightside” isn’t really any of those things – it’s pure joy! It’s the title track of our album as well (and quite different from the other songs), so it has significance within the larger story of the project. We also have a fun, quirky ‘Wes Anderson’ inspired music video to go along with it that fans love.
Q) What is your song writing process? How do you divide up focus between cello and violin?
Philip: We don’t really have a standard “song writing process” per se, we usually just try to follow where the inspiration is. Sometimes that’s Jonathan coming in with a catchy melody, or myself coming in with a cool chord progression. We often also jam and improvise on the spot and record everything. Then we’ll go back, listen to our jam, find the nuggets within and use those as building blocks for our songs.
Q) Your sophomore album Brightside is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?
Jonathan: People often ask why we named our album Brightside, especially in light of all the chaos and hardship going on in the world. Our intention isn’t to turn a blind eye to what’s happening, but rather to reflect and focus our attention on the good. There was a moment in the creation of the album where we had an epiphany of sorts, where we looked in the mirror and realized all that we have and how much there is to be grateful for. It’s so easy to get consumed by thinking about what we don’t have, and on the things over which we don’t have control. What would happen if we instead put our focus and energy on what we do have? Would that be empowering in a moment when many feel powerless? This is our way of approaching life on the “bright side”.
Q) The two of you play a big role in the creativity, writing, producing and mixing your music. Why is that so important to you?
Philip: That’s kind of just been how it’s always been since Day 1 of working together! We love all the different steps around creating music and our sound is quite unique and different from other artists. Not to say we don’t enjoy working with others, though, because we absolutely do and have worked with some incredible producers and artists – and look forward to future collaborations!
Q) The album has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. What does that accomplishment mean to the two of you?
Philip: It’s a dream come true! It’s an incredible honor to be GRAMMY-nominated, especially because voting is peer-based, so it’s a broader recognition and validation from our fellow colleagues in the industry. We watched the livestream from my studio and were ecstatic when we heard our name called. It was an out of body experience, for sure. We spent the rest of the day reaching out to our dearest supporters — those who’ve been there from Day 1 and pivotal along the way — to thank them for helping us arrive at this current moment. It’s an honor and we’re just so grateful. Later on, we grabbed some bites (and champagne) with friends to celebrate!
Q) Is there an emotion or message that you hope lingers with audiences that explore this album as a whole?
Jonathan: That we are enough, you are enough. It’s so easy, especially with everything going on in the world right now, to get caught in an endless loop around what we don’t have. We actually already have so much here and around us and there’s lots to be grateful for. Would it be empowering to focus energy there instead? We think so.
Q) You recently toured Asia and will be touring in 2026. What songs – even those from Brightside – that you have been enjoying performing live?
Philip: “Sun Drifter!” It’s an arm buster, but super virtuosic and full of raw emotion. It’s an audience favorite for sure.
Q) You have opened for the likes of Jon Batiste and even played during the LA Lakers NBA playoffs. Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
Philip: Those are great ones! We’ve had some really special shows from tiny rooms to big stadiums and they all have qualities that make them special. A couple standout recent shows included performing in Japan and Taiwan for the first time as part of an Asia tour. I’m half-Japanese, Jonathan is half-Taiwanese. It was a true “coming home” moment to be able to share our music and feel the love from the incredible audiences.
Q) I absolutely love your cover songs. Are there more in the works or ones you still have plans to cover one day?
Jonathan: Love to hear it! We love giving our instrumental twist on an awesome cover. We have lots in the works around our cover song, so please stay tuned. [winks]
Q) I’d love to see your instrumentals featured in a series like “Bridgerton” – one known for their classical takes on popular songs. If you could, which ARKAI song would you like to see featured or a cover song of yours you would pitch?
Philip: We’d love that as well! We have this funky original called “Patchwork” that could be really fun for a mischievous scene in “Bridgerton.”
Q) You have teamed up in the past with Lindsey Stirling and Tony Ann. Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
Jonathan: Oh wow! There are so many incredible artists that we’d love to collab with. Cynthia Erivo is pretty badass, that would be fun.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
Philip: Really been enjoying the guitarist and producer Plini. He’s a super virtuosic player, but his technique is always in service of the musicality of the composition (not obscuring it). That, combined with some great arrangements and super immersive production, make his work a pleasure to get lost in.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
Jonathan: Just THANK YOU! We have enormous gratitude for everyone who has supported us along this journey – our family, friends, professors, mentors, team, collaborators and fans! It takes a village and we wouldn’t be where we are today without our community.