There's evidence of great partnerships throughout history, whether it be Batman and Robin or even Pinky and the Brain. Somehow two always seems better than one and in the case of the band Iska Dhaaf, members Nathan Quiroga and Benjamin Verdoes are an example of the power of when two become one.

As Iska Dhaaf, their friendship seems to act as a prism through which their experiences and expeditions are filtered into music. Together, the duo collages a wide variety of influences into a catalog of melodic tracks that veer from boisterous rock and roll to moody and contemplative songs built on synths and stark vocals. On a seemingly never-ending gypsy mission, they've made a cross-country move from Seattle to New York as a band and continue to tour relentlessly through every state in between. With a habit of taking up residence in various cities on the hunt for inspiration and new experiences to channel into future releases, the pair have most recently found themselves in Europe for an extended stay and Los Angeles for a month-long stretch. Their upcoming album The Wanting Creature is due out later this spring via Brick Lane Records.

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Homebase: Brooklyn, NY

Prior to this band, you were both involved in various musical projects. How did you two initially meet and how soon did you start jamming together?

We were in very different bands that were getting a lot of attention in Seattle (me: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band; Nate: Mad Rad). The attention was from the music, but also from our intense and creative promotion. So we kind of learned about one another that way. Nate was doing electronic/hip-hop music and I wanted to learn to make beats. I asked to learn from his producer, Psmoov. I ended up recording guitar parts for their record and subsequently became a fan of Nate's writing. We hung out and worked on a few songs and never stopped. 

You've since moved to New York. How do you compare and contrast NY and Seattle?

Seattle is where we grew up as artists and were nurtured. The music community is strong there and we know it well. We've been in NY for about a year and a half and we are just cutting our teeth. The city and music scene/s are vast. NY teaches you how to be efficient and alert. You can easily get lost in the mix here if you're not actively trying to be inventive. 

What have been some of your most magic moments since the move, both as a band and/or personally?

One of them was driving across the bridge into Brooklyn with the van and trailer filled with all our belongings. We did the last 11 hours consecutively by listening to Death Grips and drinking lots of caffeine. And although we'd been to NYC plenty of times, it was magical seeing the city on a beautiful sunny morning knowing we were going live there. Now, there is something special about walking down my block and saying hello to all my neighbors. They say, "alright," here when they see you. I work in the community and it's incredible to feel so connected already. 

How did the two of you start making music to begin with as individuals? When did you first pick up an instrument and what inspired it?

For me it was a combination of the radio, church, and my older brother. People around me were doing it and I was attracted. I wanted to learn instruments. Once I started I got addicted. The same is true for song writing. Nate grew up free-styling and making beats with his friends on 4-track. He just keeps learning new things. Now he plays three instruments and does production. 

What have been the biggest influences on the music of Iska Dhaaf?

Lots and lots and lots of music. Everything from Television to Wu-Tang, Coltrane to The Doors, to Ravel. We listen a lot of different stuff and go through phases. Recently it has be Future, DS2. 

You guys recently finished a two month residency in Europe. What were some of your most memorable experiences?

Europe was incredible! First, we stayed in Paris for a month. We played a bunch of shows and wrote music every day. The city is overwhelmingly beautiful. The streets and lights and art are permanently etched in our brains. The Paris attacks sadly, were quite memorable. We were a block away from Bataclan,  (Nate wrote about it here.) We got to play shows and meet my Dutch family in the Netherlands. In Germany we wrote, played a few shows, and explored the craziness that is Berlin. It was one of best experiences of both of our lives. We heard a lot of dance music (and danced) and saw amazing art everywhere we went. 

Going in, what were your expectations? How did reality live up to them?

Our expectations were high because we had heard great things, had shows booked, and we love writing more than anything. We knew it would be wonderful, but our trip definitely exceeded our expectations. People were so kind and willing to share with us. 

What are your touring and release plans for this year?

We have an LA residency at Bootleg Theatre [right now] in April and some festival dates (Sasquatch, etc). Our second LP, The Wanting Creature, is set for release in May 2016. We hope to do a big Fall tour and then head back to Europe (working on it now). It will be a busy year.

Can you explain the album title?

The Wanting Creature is based on a poem by the Sufi poet Kabir (definitely worth reading/reading about). Nate and I were reading his book and one poem in particular really described and influenced the thematic elements of the album really well. We include it in the album and the liner notes. It's an amazing piece of work. 

Also, The Wanting Creature describes the human condition so aptly. We are all the wanting creature. In our ephemeral existence we long for so many things. It is at our core. It connects and describes us. And that is what the record is about.

What's the overarching message you would like listeners to take away from your music?

We want people to walk away feeling like they had a beautifully stimulating conversation. Not just in their mind either. The music is pretty existentialist. If there were a message it would be to explore, feel, and savor your existence, while you're alive.