Brothers Adam and Samir Hakim’s first performance in front of family was an impromptu concert at their cousin’s wedding last summer. The day before the event, they wrote songs about the marriage and the food at the wedding.
Adam Hakim, a fourth-year mathematics and economics student, played chords on his guitar, and Samir Hakim, a second-year pre-business economics student, played melody on his saxophone. While Samir Hakim had initially thought their comedic style of music would be too absurd for the occasion, their family laughed and began pushing them to do more shows.
The duo will perform at UCLA for the first time as part of the Cultural Affairs Commission’s Kerckhoff Coffee House concert series Monday. They will perform unplugged covers of a wide range of music genres, including rock and synthesizer-based pop tunes, which they have adapted into arrangements for the guitar, saxophone and vocals.
“Though (a guitar and saxophone duo) is a combination that I’d never heard before, it works,” said Nick Perr, a second-year fine arts and economics student and Samir Hakim’s roommate.
Adam Hakim came from a standard rock and classical music background and his brother had a background in jazz music. They pursued music partially because their father, an experienced recorder player, urged them to play instruments when they were young.
In high school, Adam Hakim played guitar in rock bands and Samir Hakim played saxophone in the jazz band.
Initially, Adam Hakim teased his brother for playing the saxophone. He would say that the saxophone ruins every song it has a part in, and his brother would disagree. Now, however, Adam Hakim said he has started to appreciate jazz music more.
“Once, we stayed up until 3 a.m. (arguing about the topic),” Samir Hakim said. “And we had to go ski early the next morning.”
The brothers mainly began playing together in college. Samir Hakim said he understands his brother’s playing style so well that when the duo jams together, he can predict the next chord progression just by looking at him.
“We’re definitely more similar than not,” Samir Hakim said. “People say we talk exactly the same and ask if we’re twins.”
Perr said the Hakims’ music reflects their personalities, which are casual and easygoing. He said that though he has known Adam Hakim to practice the guitar for up to 10 hours straight, the duo’s practices are not intense and their main purpose is to have fun.
“(Their style) is not a lazy style of music,” Perr said, “But they’re not trying to be something they’re not.”
Adam Hakim said he and his brother’s performances often have a comedic factor. He said when singing, he and his brother often put a humorous spin on the pieces they play by using exaggerated voices, making up for their lack of a solid vocal background.
“Humor is a big part of our lives,” Samir Hakim said.
At their show at the Kerckhoff Coffee House, the duo’s set list includes both serious and comedic pieces. Perr said their style can be described as a mix of Canadian musician Mac DeMarco and early Michael Jackson, and audiences can expect an energetic performance.
Despite the pair’s light musical style, they both said they consider music as an important and lasting part of their lives. Adam Hakim said while he is pursuing a career in actuarial science, he wants to keep playing music because it makes his life more interesting.
“If I’m ever stressed out … I can just go sit on my balcony overlooking Gayley and play my guitar for six or seven hours straight in my boxers,” Adam Hakim said. “It’s the best feeling to not have anything going and just play my guitar.”
As a second-year student, Samir Hakim said he is uncertain about his plans for the future, but sees himself continuing to jam with his brother. Though he was initially caught off guard when his brother suggested they play a gig at Kerckhoff, he eventually began looking forward to it.
Adam Hakim said he knows people often study during Kerckhoff Coffee House performances, which would be fine with him. However, Perr said he expects the brothers will keep the crowd entertained.
“I wouldn’t expect (their music) to be in the background,” Perr said.