SOFI TUKKER Talk Running, Rhythm, and Disconnection in “Pick Up The Phone”

SOFI TUKKER are no strangers to movement. Whether it’s their high-spirited DJ sets or global tours, the duo — comprised of Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern — has always prioritized music that gets bodies moving. For Global Running Day 2025, they took that ethos one step further by teaming up with Brooks Running for a one-of-a-kind collaboration: a track built from the sounds of runners’ footsteps around the world.

Their new single “Pick Up The Phone” celebrates the physical, emotional, and communal energy of running — and yes, it bangs. We caught up with Sophie and Tucker to talk about the creative process behind the track, how they disconnect from tech, and why one of them loves running and the other... not so much.

You've collaborated with runners around the globe for "Pick Up The Phone," incorporating audio samples of people's footsteps into your latest tune. Was that a challenge? How did it feel to turn such a communal, physical activity into something sonic and emotional?

Sophie: Everything we do is physical. We make music so that you can move to it, and it turns out a lot of people run to our music, so it feels only natural to turn it around and turn the sound of their running back into the music. I'm a big runner, so it also just feels right to incorporate something I love so much into the song.

Sophie, you said running makes you feel as present as dancing — is there a track that you find yourself coming back to year after year that you listen to while running? And Tucker, same questions for you, what's your favorite track to run to?

Sophie: I go through phases. But now my runs are less a time when I repeat songs, and more a time for me to discover new songs. I love listening to other people's playlists and sets while running. 

Tucker: I don't run. I spent 22 years of my life playing basketball at the highest level I could, and when I would get in trouble, I'd have to run. My least favorite college memory is waking up at 4:45 to run. So running to me is more of a punishment haha.  

Besides running and dancing, what are some other activities you do to help you disconnect from your phone?

Sophie: Running and dancing are definitely the best activities for disconnecting from my phone because they're so physical that I literally can't go grab it and type or scroll. But spending time with people I love is really the secret. The best feeling in the world is being so connected to people that you forget space and time — and phone (even if it sometimes annoys Tuck when I don't respond or get back to him).

Tucker: For me making music is when I really tune out from my phone. It's when I zone in the most. I never know how much time has passed.  

Between the two of you, who would win in a race?

Sophie: I would beat Tuck at anything endurance, but Tuck would beat me at anything hand-eye coordination. 

Tuck: Agreed. If it were a sprint, I'd win, but anything more than a minute, and I'm done.