BY FAR

BY FAR
Name	BY FAR
Origin	New York City, United States
Genres	Pop, Dance-pop, Synth-pop, Electronic
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Independent, Major
Members	Singer, Producer, Visual Director
Associated acts	Collaborators, Remixers, Producers

BY FAR BY FAR is an international pop music act known for synth-driven production, choreographed visual presentation, and collaborative projects with prominent producers and artists. Formed in New York City, the project has worked with a range of songwriters, remixers, and designers, releasing a series of singles and albums that garnered attention across mainstream and indie outlets. BY FAR's output spans recordings, music videos, and live performances that intersect with fashion weeks, film festivals, and club circuits.

Background and formation

BY FAR emerged from the New York City creative scene, connecting producers and vocalists who had previously collaborated with figures from Calvin Harris sessions to Mark Ronson-adjacent studios. Early contributors included engineers who worked with Pharrell Williams, Stargate (record producers), and studio musicians linked to Rihanna sessions and Madonna tours. The formation involved meetings at venues near Chelsea Hotel, rehearsals in Brooklyn lofts close to Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and writing retreats inspired by gatherings at SXSW and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival-adjacent spaces. Management and label discussions drew interest from executives with backgrounds at Republic Records, Island Records, and Atlantic Records before the act opted for independent release strategies. Visual collaborators included stylists and directors who had worked on shows during New York Fashion Week and on films screened at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Musical style and influences

BY FAR blends elements of synth-pop, dance-pop, and electronic production, citing influences that range from producers associated with Daft Punk and Max Martin to vocal stylings reminiscent of performers tied to Sia (artist) and Adele. The sound palette references classic acts such as Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, and New Order, while also nodding to contemporary peers like Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, and Lady Gaga. Production techniques echo work by Trevor Horn and remix traditions from houses linked to David Guetta and Calvin Harris, incorporating live bass parts similar to sessions by musicians who toured with John Mayer and groove sensibilities found on records produced for Bruno Mars. Lyrical themes often intersect with narratives explored by songwriters who have written for Lorde, Tove Lo, and Robyn (singer), focusing on personal relationships, nightlife, and identity.

Discography

BY FAR's recorded output began with independent singles released on digital platforms followed by a debut EP and subsequent full-length albums. Initial tracks were championed by tastemakers who also supported releases by Billboard-charted artists and curated playlists from platforms connected to Spotify editorial and Apple Music editors. Collaborations have included co-writes and features with songwriters who have credits alongside Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth, and H.E.R., and production contributions from personnel linked to Zayn Malik and Ellie Goulding projects. Releases have been remixed by DJs affiliated with Ministry of Sound, Café del Mar, and labels associated with Ultra Records, extending presence into club charts monitored by outlets like Mixmag and DJ Mag.

Tours and live performances

BY FAR has performed at venues and festivals that attract audiences familiar with acts such as Florence and the Machine, Zedd, and Disclosure (band). Notable appearances include sets at events alongside lineups featuring Lana Del Rey, Haim, and HAIM (band), club residencies in neighborhoods near Greenwich Village and East Village, Manhattan, and showcases during Frieze Art Fair programming and Made in America adjacent stages. Touring personnel have employed stage designers with resumes including work for Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Sting (musician), and lighting rigs similar to those used on tours by Coldplay and U2. BY FAR's live shows emphasize choreography and visual narratives influenced by video directors who have credits with Beyoncé and FKA twigs.

Critical reception and awards

Coverage of BY FAR has appeared in publications that also review releases by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and NME (magazine)-profiled artists, with features in magazines and interviews on radio programs associated with BBC Radio 1 and NPR Music. Critics have compared BY FAR to contemporaries who received accolades from institutions like the Grammy Awards and the BRIT Awards, and tracks have been placed in year-end lists compiled by editors from The Guardian (UK) and The New York Times pop music columns. While BY FAR has not been tied to a major industry award sweep, the act has earned nominations and honors from regional music prize organizations and independent music awards affiliated with coalitions that previously recognized artists such as Alt-J and Tame Impala.

Legacy and impact on pop culture

BY FAR's integration of fashion, video art, and pop production has influenced collaborations between musicians and designers reminiscent of partnerships seen between Madonna and Jean-Paul Gaultier or Kanye West and Louis Vuitton (brand). Music placements in film and television have associated BY FAR's songs with soundtracks for projects shown at Sundance Film Festival screenings and episodic placements on series aired by networks like HBO and streaming services akin to Netflix and Hulu. The act's visual aesthetics have been cited in editorials alongside shoots in publications from the same media group that publish features on Vogue (magazine) and GQ (magazine), contributing to conversations about the intersection of pop music, fashion weeks, and contemporary art biennales.

Category:American pop music groups Category:Musical groups from New York City