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10 Questions with ... The Chainsmokers
November 21, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thechainsmokers Twitter: @TheChainsmokers Instagram:@thechainsmokers YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/THECHAINSMOKERS
The Chainsmokers are a New York City-based DJ/producer/songwriter duo consisting of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall. Their 2014 single "#Selfie" reached #16 on the US charts and #11 on the UK charts. Since then, they have gone on to release several more hit songs, including "Kanye" f. SirenXX, "Let You Go", "Roses" and their #1 Pop and Hot AC hit "Closer" featuring Halsey. They recently released a new EP entitled "Collage".
1. Why do you two really work so well together?
It's hard to say ... We really share the same passion for music and work, and also the drive to achieve our goals. We complement each other really well and we have our own roles and responsibilities with the group. That said, we have the same sense of humor for the most part and tastes, so you know, just two dudes enjoying a crazy ride together.
2. Your shows look like they are extremely high-energy! How do you keep up the energy night after night?
The performance is the fun part of the week, that's for sure! Energy is fleeting, and we think if you ask anyone in the world they would say they were tired or could use more sleep. In fact, when we get more sleep we're usually more tired. Lucky for us we really love this stuff and it's easy for us to get excited and get over any early flights or late nights!
3. Can you describe your remixing process and how you go about selecting what songs to remix?
We only remix songs we truly love. Doesn't matter if the budget is great or not, if we don't like the artist or the track we won't do it. We have to be inspired by the song.
4. Do you have to get permission from the artists first?
Getting permission is obviously the best way, it sort of validates your work but it's not always possible or the case, and honestly it's a remix so whatever, if it's unofficial then its unofficial, no big deal.
5. Why do you think Adam Alpert's joint venture label with Sony, Disruptor Records is the right place for your music now?
For a label to be truly effective, they have to believe in your music, and they have to commit to artists over and over. It's time consuming, expensive, and risky! Adam has had our backs from day one, and no one on this planet works harder for us. But it's our common goal that makes it so amazing. Adam and Sony have been open-minded about our strategies and supportive, and as an artist, that helps us create, tour, and perform better. Our fans win, our brand wins, and in turn, we can win with Adam and make some great music. They realize how evolved the landscape of music is, and even more so across each genre and that flexibility has allowed us to do some amazing things...
6. What's been the silliest argument you have had while working together?
We get into dumb arguments all the time. It's usually about something that we think the other said but didn't. Neither of us like to admit to being wrong so it can be really stupid things like that ... basically just stubbornness. We never fight over girls or anything like that.
7. Do you have any interesting pre-performance rituals?
Pre-show, we always try to come up with stuff but usually we are pretty relaxed, just hanging with buddies, we drink some beers, make jokes and we try not to fixate on the show! We probably have more rituals than we realize but we just don't notice them.
8. Where do you come up with ideas for your YouTube videos?
We pull inspiration from everywhere. Movies, TV, our friends, being drunk, being stoned, whatever. This is just a function of who we are and our demented minds. We aren't sure it always translates as great ideas, but it's a fun way to be creative!
9. Who are some of your all-time favorite artists? Who would you love to work with in the future?
We get asked that question a lot. Short list would be Sigur Ros, Chris Martin, Drake, Adele... man, there are too many!
10. At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners take away from listening to your music?
That they get to know us a bit better, and also maybe learn something about themselves in the process. Whether it's having a great time, helping them through a period in their life or whatever. It's just a connection that we hope to achieve on some level.
*Thank you to Leah Adams for conducting this interview.
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