KIMMIC is a Dundee-based DJ and production duo known for their high-energy sound and rapid rise in the scene. Consisting of Keiran McLean and Christopher McComiskie, their debut single “Never Miss a Beat,” released under Polydor Records quickly became an anthem. Their tracks have received airplay on major UK stations like BBC Radio 1, Capital Dance, and KISS FM, and they’ve notched up millions of streams worldwide.
With a new single, No Come Down, landing later this month on Armada, we thought it was high time we caught up with them for a chat.
How did growing up in Dundee influence your music style and journey as a DJ duo?
We both grew up in Dundee and Brechin, which were quite limited in terms of opportunities in the dance scene. In Dundee, you have events like the Dundee Dance Event, which happens once a year and gives local DJs an opportunity to play. However, I wouldn’t say growing up in our areas influenced our music style or played a major role in our journey. We come from completely different musical backgrounds. Keiran was heavily influenced by trance, hard house, and indie music, growing up in a family with DJs and a rave culture. Chris’s musical upbringing was mainly 80s, Motown, and later hip-hop and EDM. Together, we bring a variation of sounds that reflect in our productions. So, to answer your question, our influences have been more family-based.
“Never Miss a Beat” has achieved significant success. Can you share the story behind this track and its rapid rise in popularity?
“Never Miss a Beat” was a happy accident. We weren’t even meant to work on the track. Keiran happened to be listening to the original “Never Miss a Beat” by Kaiser Chiefs on the way to a studio session, and we gave it a try. One hour later, we had the track’s foundations in place and posted a preview on TikTok. It went viral, which led to it being signed by Polydor (Universal), and the rest is history.
Your music gained traction on TikTok before mainstream success. How has social media influenced your career and connection with fans?
TikTok has been a massive help for us. The industry, especially locally, can be extremely cliché, and if you don’t kiss ass, nobody will notice you. Being able to create our own fan base and community on social media has been a huge part of our progress to the next level.
How would you describe the evolution of your sound from “Never Miss a Beat” to your latest releases like “Party Girl”?
The transition from “Never Miss a Beat” to “Party Girl” was smooth. Both tracks have high-energy vocals and great old-school sounds, which mirror what we play live. “Party Girl” was the perfect follow-up to “Never Miss a Beat” in our opinion.
You’ve been gaining significant airplay on major radio stations. How important is radio play for your exposure and success?
Radio plays are crucial for growth. They can gain you new fans instantly and play a big role in streaming numbers across your DSPs.
What can you tell us about your upcoming single “No Come Down” on Armada? Any specific inspiration behind this one?
“No Come Down” is special for us. It’s our first original track with our vocals. We have used samples for all our other releases, so it’s great to get our own work out there.
What was it like to perform at major festivals like Creamfields and Euforia? Any memorable experiences you’d like to share?
Last year at Creamfields was one of the best experiences of our lives. The buzz we had from that show lasted for weeks, and we can’t wait to up the level this year on the main stage!
Can you talk about your creative process when producing a new track? How do you balance collaboration and individual input?
We always have individual preferences when producing a track, but we are extremely quick at compromising and moving ahead with our productions. It’s extremely rare that we butt heads on a tune.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging duo in the electronic dance music scene, and how have you overcome them?
We’ve faced loads of challenges. Many people think signing a major record deal means you’ve made it, but that’s only the start. The work begins then. We’ve had loads of tracks turned down by labels which we thought were hits. The biggest challenge for us so far has been producing music we like instead of what labels want. That’s advice I’d give to any artist signing a major deal.
How do you see your music evolving in the next few years? Are there any new genres or styles you’re interested in exploring?
We are super versatile in making all dance music, so we’ll see what happens. We can produce house, trance, rave, techno, etc., and we love all styles of dance music. We will adapt if needed.
What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers looking to break into the industry?
Work hard and be patient, even if it doesn’t pay off straight away. It all adds up and leads to where you want to be in the end if you want it enough.
No Come Down is out 16 August on Armada
The post “It’s extremely rare that we butt heads on a tune” KIMMIC interview appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.