Before joining creative forces as Gorgon City, Kye Gibbon and Matt Robson-Scott were already celebrated DJ-producers in their own right. Going by Foamo and RackNRuin, respectively, the two came up as part of London's beloved Black Butter artist collective and label, which also spawned the likes of Rudimental and international chart-topping quartet Clean Bandit.
"We met in a club, as we had the same DJ agent at the time," the Gorgon boys recall. "Then we got in the studio for fun and we worked well together, so we started a new project in itself. We never planned anything, it has all happened organically -- this makes it all more fun and interesting."
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Of course, the common musical denominator for Gibbon and Robson-Scott -- as for most London-bred electronic dance music artists -- is the UK bass that's in their DNA.
As with fellow British breakout stars Disclosure and Duke Dumont, it's classic styles (spanning jungle, drum 'n' bass, garage, grime, and dubstep) that most inform Gorgon City's four-on-the-floor house sound and smash songs like "Ready for Your Love."
"Music tends to move in ten-year cycles, especially in the UK, so not sure what that means," the pair admits. "But we don't think recycling old sounds has ever been a bad thing in electronic music. People have been sampling the 'Amen' break [by 1960s funk and soul band The Winstons] for over 20 years, and people still love it. As long as the music is good and people are innovating, it's all good."
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Innovating is certainly the operative word, especially if you consider the ways in which Gibbon and Robson-Scott are challenging the limits of pop with their explorations of electronic music history.
The duo's debut album, Sirens, is a slice of exuberant bass-infused dance pop that steadfastly refuses to temper its gritty warehouse rave vibe in favor of overly polished production.
"We just kept writing and finishing loads of tunes. And eventually, we realized we had over an album's worth of material, so we decided to do it," the Gorgon boys say. "Again, we never planned it, so it all happened organically, which made the creative process very relaxed and enjoyable. We work in a laid-back way and just see what happens on the day with the certain artists we're working with. The tracks always come out better that way."
Another sign that Gorgon City has transcended underground dance music and risen to pop heights was getting signed by the monolithic Virgin/EMI label. Even in this DIY music era, the corporate promotional prowess afforded by the majors can still make pop stars overnight.
"We had written most of the album already, and then various majors came to our studio to speak about the project," the duo explains. "We got on with Jade [Richardson] from Virgin/EMI and decided to go with them. They've been great and have given us a lot of musical freedom."
Go catch these UK dance pop stars in the making, when they stop by Grand Central to present Sirens live, as part of the North American album release.
"It's our biggest U.S. tour yet," the Gorgon boys enthuse, "and we can't wait to get back out there."
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Gorgon City. With Henry Krinkle, plus Pirate Stereo and Santiago Caballero. Presented by Poplife and Slap & Tickle. Thursday, October 9. Grand Central, 697 N. Miami Ave., Miami. The party starts at 11 p.m. and admission is $20 plus fees via grandcentralmiami.ticketfly.com. Ages 18 and up. Call 305-377-2277 or visit grandcentralmiami.com.
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