It all started in the North of France when brothers Max & Martin decided to launch Betical. The brothers moved to the UK, immersed themselves into a different club culture that inspired them to forge their sound, showcasing their penchant for innovative music. As well as leading music focused lives, they hold an obsession to win the equally creative industry of design. As an integral part of their project, the brothers enjoy utilizing this skill to create their brand.

Fresh off the release of their latest Siamese release, we caught up with the boys to discuss creating together, their brand, next steps, and more!

WWD: Betical is more than a duo—it’s a lifelong creative dialogue between two brothers. How does your bond shape your music, and in what ways does being brothers enhance your artistic expression both in the studio and on stage?

This project is truly the result of our bond as brothers. We share a similar musical background, largely influenced by our father. We’ve always been very close, so our creative process is a constant conversation, both in the studio and in everyday life. That natural connection allows us to understand each other without even speaking sometimes, which makes our music feel even more honest and instinctive. Whether we’re on stage or in the studio, being two is something we really enjoy, it creates a dynamic energy. We also each have our own roles, which makes the workflow smooth and complementary. And on top of that, it’s just great to be able to travel together and share all these experiences as brothers.

WWD: Your productions carry a powerful duality, melancholic and emotional, yet driven by hypnotic grooves. How do you approach that balance when crafting a track?

We’ve always been drawn to a wide range of genres. Melancholy is a feeling that deeply connects us, it’s something we naturally seek out in the music we listen to. We love blending emotional depth with strong energy, as it allows us to express something personal while still keeping a rhythm you can dance to in a club.

WWD: Your rework of ‘Back on 74’ became a global phenomenon, soundtracking countless moments at Burning Man and beyond. What was the story behind that rework, and did you anticipate the impact it would have?

Jungle has been one of our favorite bands for a long time, and the idea for the rework came to us quite naturally. We felt it was the perfect way to blend something familiar for the audience with a sound that still feels true to our identity. The response was amazing, it was actually what we were hoping for, like every time we make a track, I guess, haha. But this time, everything just clicked and ticked all the boxes. The support has been incredible, and we’re really thankful for that!

WWD: You’ve released on Siamese, Rose Avenue, and Afterlife—all labels with strong identities. How do you maintain your own artistic DNA while integrating into these distinct musical ecosystems?

We think labels are of course looking for something that fits their sound, but they’re also open-minded and curious. When we send music, we try to keep it true to ourselves without falling into the obvious clichés of a certain style. At some point, we tried to fit more into the label’s mold, but it didn’t really work for us. We realized it’s better to stay true to ourselves. It’s important for us to keep things evolving and not get stuck in one box, even if we’re working with labels that have strong identities.

WWD: You’ve cited early influences like French Touch, classical music, and your family’s creative heritage. How do those inspirations still echo in your work today?

We think all that background really shaped our ears, it helped us understand what we truly love in music. It also gave us no certain instincts when it comes to the types of sounds and textures we like to bring into our tracks. Even if our style evolves, those early influences are still there, kind of like a foundation.

WWD: There’s a clear visual world surrounding Betical—design, artwork, and aesthetics seem to be an extension of your sound. How do you intertwine these elements into a holistic artistic identity?

Max has a background in design, which really helps us shape a visual identity that feels true to who we are. It allows us to reflect our personalities through our visuals, social media, and overall aesthetic. That said, we still feel like there’s room to grow and take more control over that side of things. That’s actually one of the reasons why we’re thinking about building our own label, to push our artistic vision even further, both musically and visually.

WWD: Collaboration between siblings can be both deeply intuitive and, at times, creatively intense. How do you navigate conflict or creative differences when they arise?

We actually have pretty defined roles, so we don’t really step on each other’s toes. We rarely argue, and when we do have different opinions, it’s more about open discussions. Sometimes we disagree, but it’s always in the interest of the project, so it ends up being a positive thing, haha.

WWD: From self-doubt to missed opportunities, your journey hasn’t been without its challenges. What lessons have you learned about resilience and staying true to your vision in a fast-moving industry?

We’ve definitely had tough moments—like having tracks we couldn’t release at the right time for reasons beyond our control. It took a lot of mental energy, maybe even too much at times. That’s why we’ve learned to take a step back, put things into perspective, and avoid putting in energy in a track unless we have some clarity or certainty for the release. It’s helped us protect our mindset and stay more focused on what really matters.

WWD: Whether it’s a club or a desert, your music seems to adapt to any environment while maintaining emotional resonance. What does a “perfect” Betical set feel like to you, and how do you design your performances for that emotional arc?

We really like our sets to feel like a journey, not something too monotone. We always try to keep a good energy throughout while taking people through different moods, sometimes more groovy, sometimes more emotional, and sometimes even a bit more housy. A perfect set for us is when we can really feel the crowd’s energy and there’s a true connection. When that happens, we’re just having so much fun that it feels like everything flows naturally. We sometimes even feel like we could play anything and it would still work, haha. It’s the kind of feeling we had recently at Volt in Milan, where everything just clicked.

WWD: As your sound continues to evolve, what’s next for Betical? Are there any unreleased projects, new collaborations, or live shows on the horizon you’re particularly excited about?

We’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio lately, mainly focusing on original music. We’ve really enjoyed working on remixes these past months, but now we feel it’s the right moment to share something that’s fully ours. We’re also preparing the launch of our own label this year, which is a big step for us. And there are some very exciting shows and projects coming up… we can’t say too much yet, but we’re really looking forward to sharing everything with you soon!

WWD: That’s huge, congrats! And of course, thanks for the chat 🙂

‘Tough Love’ is available here