It’s been three years since The Martinez Brothers dropped an official single, and they’re back with a serious summer anthem. Take You Home packs infectious grooves, soulful vibes, and a star-studded list of credits featuring Apex Martin, Sash, and legendary producer Mike Dean. These guys bring a next-level energy, blending their classic New York house roots with fresh sounds that feel both familiar and totally new.
We caught up with Steve and Chris right after their explosive set at Awakenings, where the energy was still buzzing. They broke down how Take You Home came together –no ego, just pure creative flow– and how their Bronx DNA keeps driving everything they do. They’re not looking back either; with new music in the pipeline and collabs on the horizon, these brothers are gearing up to shake things up.
Hey guys, welcome to METAL! First off, how was your set at Awakenings this year? The energy looked wild.
Stevie: Yo, it was unreal. You could feel the energy in the air before we even got on stage. Awakenings always offers something special, and the crowd came locked in from the first drop.
Chris: Straight up, Awakenings never misses. The vibe was next level. That kind of crowd really pushes you to go in harder.
Chris: Straight up, Awakenings never misses. The vibe was next level. That kind of crowd really pushes you to go in harder.
How’s your summer been so far? You've been everywhere (Ibiza, Coachella), and now have a new track out. How are you managing it all?
Stevie: It's been nonstop, but that’s how we like it. We live for this. Each city gives us a different kind of inspiration, and that energy just feeds back into everything we’re doing.
Chris: Man, we just take it one day at a time. Lots of airports, not a lotta sleep, but we love this life.
Chris: Man, we just take it one day at a time. Lots of airports, not a lotta sleep, but we love this life.
Let’s talk about Take You Home, your first official single in three years. What made this the right time for a comeback?
Stevie: We’ve been sitting on music, but this one had that feeling. It checked all the boxes: soulful, catchy, fresh. The timing just hit. It felt like the start of a new wave for us.
Chris: We’ve been cookin’ for a while, but this one felt right. The timing, the vibe, the people, it all lined up.
Chris: We’ve been cookin’ for a while, but this one felt right. The timing, the vibe, the people, it all lined up.
The track is a massive collaboration. How did the link-up with Apex Martin, Mike Dean, and Sash come about?
Stevie: Apex lit the fire. He had that raw skeleton, and once Sash laid the vocals, it took off. Then Mike Dean came in and just blasted it into another dimension. Everyone brought their zone, their own unique flair.
Chris: It was organic, man. No plan, just good energy in the room. That’s when the magic happens.
Chris: It was organic, man. No plan, just good energy in the room. That’s when the magic happens.
You’re known for your club-driven sound, but Take You Home feels like a full-on summer anthem. Did you go in wanting to make something more crossover, or did it just evolve naturally?
Stevie: It definitely evolved. We didn’t sit down chasing a hit. We just followed the vibe. Sometimes the most universal tracks come from the most natural moments.
Chris: Honestly, it just happened. That crossover feel, it’s just a reflection of everything we grew up on. We didn’t force it.
Chris: Honestly, it just happened. That crossover feel, it’s just a reflection of everything we grew up on. We didn’t force it.
What was the creative process like in the studio for this one? Who brought what to the table?
Stevie: Apex had the bones, we brought the rhythm and soul, and Mike Dean added the cosmic detail. It was a true team effort; everyone respected each other’s lane, and the track just came alive.
Chris: It was like passing the ball; everyone had a moment to cook. No egos, just mad respect and a shared vision.
Chris: It was like passing the ball; everyone had a moment to cook. No egos, just mad respect and a shared vision.
Mike Dean is a legendary producer. What was it like working with him specifically? Did he push you into any new directions?
Stevie: Mike’s ear is different. He hears layers in the music that most people miss. He pulled new textures out of the track we wouldn’t have imagined. His touch gave it that epic feel.
Chris: Mike’s a trip, in the best way. He hears things on another frequency. Just watching him work is a masterclass.
Chris: Mike’s a trip, in the best way. He hears things on another frequency. Just watching him work is a masterclass.
“We’ve learned how to take people on a journey, how to build energy, create moments. The technical side’s sharper now, but the heart is still the same.” Stevie
Sash brings a unique energy to the track. What drew you to his sound?
Stevie: His tone is so distinct, it’s emotional but cool, gritty but smooth. He gave the track character. That kind of voice doesn’t come around often.
Chris: As soon as we heard him on the demo, we were like, yep, that’s the one. He gave it soul.
Chris: As soon as we heard him on the demo, we were like, yep, that’s the one. He gave it soul.
How has the response been from fans and DJs so far? Are you seeing it hit dance floors the way you envisioned?
Stevie: The love’s been crazy. We’re seeing people connect with it in different ways, some for the vocals, some for the groove. That balance is what we always aim for.
Chris: It’s been wild. Seeing people sing it back already? That hits different.
Chris: It’s been wild. Seeing people sing it back already? That hits different.
You’ve always had a strong connection to your roots in New York. Does Take You Home reflect anything about where you come from musically?
Stevie: 100%. The soul, the drums, the bounce — that’s all New York. We grew up on house, hip-hop, Latin… all those flavours live inside this track.
Chris: It’s in the DNA: Bronx, disco, Latin, hip-hop. You hear all that in the swing of the drums and the emotion in the hook.
Chris: It’s in the DNA: Bronx, disco, Latin, hip-hop. You hear all that in the swing of the drums and the emotion in the hook.
From early sets at DC10 to massive stages like Drumsheds and Coachella, how has your approach to music evolved over the years?
Stevie: We’ve learned how to take people on a journey, how to build energy, create moments. The technical side’s sharper now, but the heart is still the same.
Chris: We’ve grown up on stage, for real. But the mission’s the same: connect with the crowd and tell a story.
Chris: We’ve grown up on stage, for real. But the mission’s the same: connect with the crowd and tell a story.
And looking back at where you began, do you still recognise yourselves in those early days?
Stevie: For sure. The kid who was hauling crates to the basement parties is still in there. The dream just got bigger.
Chris: We’ve evolved, but we never switched up. That kid’s energy? It’s still in us.
Chris: We’ve evolved, but we never switched up. That kid’s energy? It’s still in us.
You’ve collaborated with everyone from Rauw Alejandro to Skepta. How do you decide who you want to work with?
Stevie: It’s always about the vibe. If it feels right, we roll. We don’t chase names, we chase connection and creativity.
Chris: It’s all gut. If the energy’s there and the music feels right, we’re in.
Take You Home feels like the start of a new chapter. Can we expect more new music soon? Maybe an album?
Stevie: Oh yeah, we’re in that zone. Music is flowing heavily right now. An album? Maybe. Just know more is coming, and it’s fire.
Chris: Whether it’s singles, remixes, or maybe something longer, we’re in that mode right now. Lock in.
Chris: Whether it’s singles, remixes, or maybe something longer, we’re in that mode right now. Lock in.
What’s next for The Martinez Brothers in 2025 and beyond?
Stevie: More expansion from a business perspective. More collabs. More music. More roots, but on a global level. We’re building something bigger than us, it’s culture.
Chris: Keep building. More collabs, more shows, more surprises. We’re just getting started.
Chris: Keep building. More collabs, more shows, more surprises. We’re just getting started.
