The 8-Bit Brothers

The 8-Bit Brothers are a band exploring their musical curiosities through the joy of creation. Using jazz as a foundation, they incorporate a multitude of musical styles in their work as they create music that challenges the listener’s conception of genre. The resulting style is one that is experimental yet palatable, reflecting their belief that the best music is engaging on multiple levels, equally worthy of intellectual analysis and superficial enjoyment.

Formed in 2017 by brothers Maximilien and Finnegan Hein, The 8-Bit Brothers began as an Instagram cover band creating minute-long instrumental arrangements of tunes. Eventually, this led Max, an award-winning composer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist, to write original music for the duo. Their creative process is built on collaboration, representing the duo’s strong bond as brothers. Max crafts the musical beds over which Finn’s saxophone leads, and Finn creates the visuals with input from Max.

Their first releases saw the band exploring their style through live recorded improvisations based on character personas. Their first full-length album, Quarantine Sessions, came as a result of the 2020 coronavirus quarantine when the duo had the time and freedom to write together. Initially conceived as an EP, bountiful inspiration led the pair to write 11 tracks leaning heavily into the sounds of space jazz. Their sophomore effort, Transcending the Paradox, was released in June 2022 and functions as a concept album and tone poem. 13 tracks, each titled with a line of an original poem, make up this 71-minute double album. A new EP is presently in the works which explores a return to the live improvisations of their first releases.

Transcending the Paradox

Transcending the Paradox is the second album by The 8-Bit Brothers. At 71 minutes in run time, this double album marks a notable leap in artistic maturity and expression. Released on June 8, 2022, these tracks delve deeper into the possibilities of jazz-fusion, incorporating world, industrial, electronic, and rock music elements throughout. Transcending the Paradox is available on all streaming platforms. Album art created by Finnegan Hein.

Quarantine Sessions

Quarantine Sessions, the first full-length album by The 8-Bit Brothers was released on November 6, 2020. Written and recorded in a bedroom during the initial COVID-19 quarantine of Spring 2020, these tracks expand on the previous musical styles of the duo to explore a breadth of jazz-based musics incorporating experimental, funk, rock, and world music elements throughout. Quarantine Sessions is available on all streaming platforms. Album art created by Finnegan Hein.

Character Jams

The first singles released by The 8-Bit Brothers were improvisations meant to invoke character personas. Collectively known as the Character Jams, these live improvisations consist of drums, saxophone, and synthesizer. A musical pattern is initiated on a sequencer and improvisations are performed over it. This musical structure forms the basis of much of the band’s subsequent work, and provides insight into their artistic journey.