Since their debut in 2022, Seattle-based duo Modera has carved out a distinctive voice through a blend of orchestral textures and melodic house.
Photo credit: Modera – Instagram
Formed in late 2020, the pair brings deep musical roots and production experience to a project that draws from film scores, electronic emotion, and an evolving sense of space.
Their sound—marked by cinematic weight and subtle percussion—has earned support from artists like Nora En Pure, Don Diablo, Sultan + Shepard, and Nicky Romero. Now, with their new album ‘Together, Apart’, Modera explores a deeper conceptual journey shaped by distance, reconnection, and creative evolution.
In this conversation, Modera opens up about the album’s origin, Seattle’s influence, collaborations with Blonde Maze, and how they navigate inspiration through ping pong, film scores, and moments of friction.
EG: Hi guys, where are we catching you today and what small thing around you is setting the tone for your morning?
Modera: Hey! What’s going on? You are catching us in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle to be exact. Honestly we don’t get much sun up here, and today is a beautiful day, so I’d say that’s setting the tone.
EG: The title Together Apart hints at finding unity in distance. When did that idea first start vibrating between you in the studio?
Modera: The idea behind ‘Together, Apart’ started with a very literal meaning and we had that title, and the idea behind it, locked in before we even started the first track. We were living on opposite sides of the country when the project broke ground, so we wanted to explore this idea of distance, since it was the obvious struggle for us creatively. Eventually that concept of distance evolved past the geographic distance between us, to things that were a little deeper such as the distance in relationships, friendships, spiritual connections, etc.
Ironically, 6 months into the album Evan moved back to Seattle, which brought the whole concept full circle. Once we were working in the same studio again we found that creative energy that was missing for a while.
EG: Every journey needs a doorway. What feeling did you want ‘Prelude’ to unlock for listeners the moment they press play?
Modera: I think ‘Prelude’ sets the tone of the album in a couple ways. First, it’s not a house song, and several of the songs on the album aren’t either. Creatively, we were inspired to step away from the typical house genre we’ve lived in in the past. That said, there are many elements in ‘Prelude’ that are the classic “Modera Sound”. So I think it just sets the tone that this album will be a little different, but still true to the authentic sound we’ve produced in the past, which includes a lot of those cinematic/orchestral elements.
EG: How does Seattle shape the mood or color palette you reach for?
Modera: It’s interesting. I’m a firm believer that the environment you live in has a very significant impact on the music that is produced, and I think that with us living in the quiet outskirts of Seattle, which is pretty much in the middle of the woods, it shows in our music. We’re generally inspired to make songs that are very chill and beautiful and I think part of that has to do with the environment we’ve chosen to surround ourselves with up here in the PNW.
Also, it shouldn’t go without being said, if you grew up in the Seattle area you probably listened to a lot of ODESZA, and during this project we listened to a LOT of ODESZA. We were very much inspired by that sound and what they have done in the indie electronic scene.
“We wanted to explore this idea of distance, since it was the obvious struggle for us creatively”
EG: Two tracks with Blonde Maze sit right at the heart of the record. What did Amanda bring into the room that neither of you expected?
Modera: First of all, Amanda is amazing. We’re her biggest fans and we love working with her every opportunity we get. In some way, shape, or form I think she had her mark on most of the tracks on this album. She’s obviously a close friend of ours, so when we were struggling creatively, the natural thing to do was bring her in to see if she could get us out of our slump. But yeah, she can do it all—so if we were struggling with lyrics, she could help. If we were struggling on the production side, she could help with that too. Honestly, every time we work with her she brings something we don’t expect, so I’ll leave it at that.
EG: Live shows can stretch or bend songs that feel polished on record. Which new piece has surprised you most once it hit the stage and why?
Modera: Honestly, we haven’t got a chance to test any of these songs yet since we’ve been so locked in on the production front. Although that will be changing soon. I can tell you right now that our slower songs will definitely be interesting to play. They’re not the most danceable tracks, but they carry a ton of emotion that will bring a good change of pace to the live show.
EG: Is there a particular non-musical influence—film, photograph, memory—that shaped the album’s atmosphere?
Modera: One of our core influences will always be film. Since the beginning we’ve been making what we call cinematic house music, which is really just us taking the classic orchestral elements of a film score and embedding them into our music. I would say that this album is no different. You’ll hear those strings and big cinematic sonic characteristics in every song.
EG: Creative partnerships thrive on trust but also friction. Can you recall a debate during these sessions that ultimately pushed a track higher?
Modera: Yeah, there’s one track that stands out on the album that creatively, us, the label, and the collaborator wanted to go in different directions on. When we make a song, we don’t necessarily think about the genre we want it to be—we just want to make a good record. And sometimes that can get us in trouble if it’s too far into left field to match the genre we’ve established for ourselves. With the track I’m thinking about, there were probably 15 versions that we made. Ultimately the version we picked, I believe, was the best version. But that’s because it was refined, and we were getting input from every party to make sure it did become the best record possible.
“Stick to what you know and don’t overthink the process”
EG: When inspiration stalls, which ritual or place pulls you back into flow faster than any plug-in or synth patch?
Modera: I love this question. There are two activities that we’d do every time we hit a creative block, and I hated it because Evan would beat me at both every time. Chess and ping pong. I don’t know why, but Evan is weirdly good at both of these things. Needless to say, I could probably beat most people at chess and ping pong now.
EG: If you could send a single line of advice to your debut-era selves just before releasing From Walks of Life, what would it say?
Modera: Easy. I’d say stick to what you know and don’t overthink the process. From ‘Walks of Life’ was generally a very quick and easy album to write, mostly because we didn’t think about anything more than what was on the surface level. After ‘Together, Apart’, we’ve come to the realization that we just have to sit down and make music. The second we try to reinvent the wheel or force something, the music doesn’t come out the way it should.
EG: Beyond music, what cause or community is closest to your hearts right now, and how might listeners get involved?
Modera: Right now, mental health is a cause very close to our hearts, especially within the creative community. We’d be lying if we said this wasn’t something that has deeply impacted us recently. Beyond just artists, we know that music can also be a tool for healing. If something we create helps even one person through a tough time, that means everything to us. If listeners want to get involved, there are so many great organizations providing mental health resources. But even the smallest acts of kindness can go so far. Be kind, be loving, and take care of each other.
EG: Thanks for sharing your world with us. Wishing you both all the best.
Modera: Thank you so much for having us! We hope everyone enjoys the journey that is Together, Apart!
Modera’s ‘Together, Apart’ is set for release August 8, 2025, on Colorize (Enhanced). Pre-order here.
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