Galantis | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Stockholm, Sweden |
Genres | Electronic dance music |
Instruments |
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Years active | 2012 | –present
Labels | |
Members | |
Past members | |
Website | www |
Galantis is a Swedish electronic music act consisting of producer Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson. Formerly, they were a duo, alongside rising musician Style of Eye, until he decided to part ways with the project shortly after their second album The Aviary in 2017. However, he made appearances in live performances and music videos as part of the project up until 2021.
Galantis had their first international success with "Runaway (U & I)" released in 2014, followed by "Peanut Butter Jelly" and "No Money".
Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson has worked as part of the production duo Bloodshy & Avant and the Swedish indie pop band Miike Snow. [1] Karlsson has co-written and co-produced tracks for artists such as Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue and Madonna. Specifically, Karlsson co-wrote the Britney Spears single "Toxic", which eventually earned an Ivor Novello award (for songwriting and composition) and a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. [1] Karlsson is also a founding member of Swedish artist collective and record label Ingrid.
Linus Eklöw, known by his stage name Style of Eye, co-wrote and produced Icona Pop's song "I Love It" featuring Charli XCX. Eklöw, a Sundsvall-born and Stockholm-based DJ and producer, resides in the techno genre and comes from the underground scene. He explores a range of musical styles, from techno to house via distinct percussion and minimal, floating melodies. After growing up in a jazz and soul oriented family and playing a drumkit at age 10, Eklöw transitioned to electronic music after getting his first computer aged 15 and making "weird downtempo dubbeat and trip hop". DJing upbeat drum and bass followed at 16, and Linus moved into studio production with releases and remixes on such labels as Classic Recordings, Tiny Sticks and Rabid Records. [2]
The duo initially met by chance at Karlsson's Robotberget studios in Stockholm, sometime in 2007. In 2009, Karlsson's band Miike Snow asked Eklöw, who produces and DJs as Style of Eye, to remix their song "Animal". After that, the two started hanging out in the studio together, playing each other songs and scraps of ideas. Explaining what drew him to Eklöw, Karlsson says, "He's an amazing programmer and designer of soundscapes. It was artsy, in a way. He was different." [3]
There were many unfinished ideas that the pair fiddled with and then abandoned, but it wasn't until sometime in 2012 that things really came together, when they stopped the loop-based and software- approach common in modern dance music and switched to Karlsson's usual method of beginning a song on guitar or piano. The duo figured out their own approach—once they create a foundation with a simple arrangement, they build it up with stirring keyboards, monumental drums, imploring vocals and inventive flourishes. "We keep the song naked, and when we feel like we have the right one, we put some clothes on it and see how it feels," says Karlsson. [4] "We realized, this is Galantis, this is our band," Karlsson adds. [4]
The duo signed to Atlantic Records' dance imprint Big Beat Records in mid-2013. Recording in a studio in the Swedish archipelago in the Baltic Sea, the duo began to focus heavily on their artistic direction. They opt to combine the excitement and big energy of electronic music with meaningful songwriting. The first composition they agreed upon was "Smile". After that, their direction became clear. "We felt the urge to fill the dance world up with songs and with songwriting that created our sound," says Eklöw. [5]
Karlsson has said: "We always start with the song. We use guitar, piano, and bass lines we don't keep to figure out which clothes we're going to put on each melody and lyric. I think that's different than a lot of others in the dance scene. They have a beat they love and then force a top line on top of it. I feel like that makes it sound like a remix. I'd rather do it our way, it's more fun too." [6] The first single with Big Beat Records, "Smile", was released that following November. Its controversial video premiered on Stereogum. [7] "Smile" received several remixes from various artists, and an extended mix by dance music heavyweight Kaskade. [8]
"Smile" also marked the first instance of the "Seafox", a creature that is the brainchild of visual artist Mat Maitland. The "Seafox" is the Galantis mascot, appearing in their videos, cover art and their live show. [9]
In February, the duo released their second single "You". [10] The track was subsequently played heavily during Ultra Music Festival and Miami Music Week, [11] becoming the 8th most Shazamed track at the festival. [12] Their debut self-titled EP Galantis was released on 1 April 2014. [13]
Galantis had international success with their single "Runaway (U & I)", which debuted on 5 October 2014. The single is the second single from their debut album Pharmacy . The song subsequently went to the top of Spotify's Global and US Viral charts [14] and became a top 10 Spotify track in the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland. In America, the track peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart. [15] "Runaway (U & I)" has been certified Gold in Finland, 3× Gold in the Netherlands and Platinum in Norway and Sweden. [16] Galantis released the single "Gold Dust" on 19 February 2015, through Stereogum and reached number 1 on Hype Machine's Popular Chart. [17]
Karlsson and Eklöw said: "When we started Galantis, we set out to challenge each other and experiment with all of the sounds and ideas that we find exciting. We built a studio on a small island in the Baltic Sea and our surroundings became a source of inspiration for the EP." [18]
The first song, "Smile", has been featured by Kaskade, Diplo, Tiesto, Dada Life, Steve Angello, and Pete Tong, who featured it as an "Essential Tune", a feature on his BBC Radio 1 show. Their single "You" follows with a piano and vocal hook with the custom "Galantis filter", which blends male and female vocals together. Their song "Revolution" contains synths and a beat with an intended message of never giving up on your ambitions. "Help" follows and builds a piano melody into an anthem of resiliency. "Friend (Hard Times)" pairs a vocal with a deep house groove, while "The Heart That I'm Hearing" contains synths and a skittering rhythm. [19]
Galantis released their debut album Pharmacy on 8 June 2015. [20] The album was available for pre-order on 20 April 2015. The album features the four singles "You" (from their first EP), "Runaway (U & I)", "Gold Dust", and "Peanut Butter Jelly". The 13-track album is the first LP from Galantis. The duo uploaded each song to their YouTube channel with alternate artworks for each track. The seventh track "Kill 'Em With The Love" is the only track with the seafox from the album cover. Whilst "Firebird" shares one with their most recognisable single, "Runaway (U & I)". [21] On 21 May 2015, Galantis began their summer tour in support of Pharmacy which ended on 6 August 2015. [22] There were 22 dates on the tour in total, with various performances in multiple continents including Europe and North America, and each performance was for some kind of music festival. [23]
On 1 April 2016, the pair released the single "No Money", which became their first single to debut on the US Billboard Hot 100. [24] On 5 August 2016, they released the standalone single "Make Me Feel" for the soundtrack to Netflix's original film, XOXO. This song later became one of the most popular songs on the billboard hot 100, reaching the top 50.
On 30 September 2016, Galantis and Hook N Sling released the collaborative single "Love on Me" followed by a music video for the track on 4 October 2016, directed by Dano Cerny. On 15 December 2016, they released a lyric video for "Pillow Fight", which the band has said "brings back the original Galantis heart and roots." On 16 February 2017, the duo released the single "Rich Boy" along with a lyric video directed by We Wrk Wknds. On 5 May 2017, the duo released the single "Hunter", to be accompanied by a music video which has already been filmed. [25] On 11 July 2017, it was announced on social media that Galantis' second studio album would be titled The Aviary , accompanied by the release of another single titled "True Feeling". [26] [27]
On 19 April 2018, Galantis was quoted in an interview with Las Vegas Weekly , stating that "we have new music coming out very soon. We're excited to let it free for the world." [28] Subsequently, on 14 May 2018, the duo teased the release of their new single, "Spaceship" featuring Uffie, by posting a collage of all previous album covers, followed by a question mark. The posts [29] and subsequent comments across social channels indicated that Galantis would premiere the song during their set at Hangout Music Festival, on 18 May 2018. On 16 May 2018, the group decided to release the single's album art on social accounts to further promote the song's release date. On 13 July 2018, the group released 2 songs called "Satisfied" featuring MAX and "Mama Look at Me Now" with a new album art cover of the seafox. In January 2019, the band released a “sizzle reel” in which they confirmed a new single "Bones" featuring OneRepublic would be coming in 2019. [30] It was released on 25 January 2019. In mid-January 2020, Galantis and Charli XCX released a song to promote Universal Studios Japan's Super Nintendo World, this song was named We Are Born to Play. Galantis released their third studio album Church, on 7 February 2020. [31] Church consisted of fourteen songs and included collaborations with artists such as Yellow Claw, Passion Pit, Hook N Sling, Dotan, Dolly Parton, Mr. Probz and John Newman.
After the release of their third studio album, the duo worked on a single with Wrabel, titled "The Lake". They also released a song titled "I Fly" with Faouzia for the movie Scoob! . Galantis then collaborated with Pink Sweat$ and Ship Wrek on "Only a Fool", which was released on 29 May 2020, and with Jackson Wang of Got7 on the single "Pretty Please".[ citation needed ]
On 21 May 2021, Galantis released the single "Heartbreak Anthem" with French DJ David Guetta and British girl group Little Mix. [32]
Galantis debuted their live show at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on 12 April 2014. [33] Their performance came less than two weeks after their first release. In a Billboard Poll, which asked fans to vote on Coachella 2014's Best Dance Music Moment, Galantis beat Calvin Harris, Flume, Chromeo, Disclosure and Girl Talk with 52% of the vote. [34] Their performance garnered praise from Dancing Astroaut, LA Times and Billboard, among others. [35] [36] [37] Dubbed 'Seafoxchella', their live set debuted original songs and remixes from such genres as pop, electro, and house. The duo played an hour-long set at the Gobi Tent, with live controllers, visuals, and seafox stage set. Highlights included their single "Smile", as well as remixes to their other tune, "You". [38] [39] Following the second weekend of the festival, the duo kicked off their first live tour with a string of dates in North America. [40]
Galantis have performed at Cochella 2014, and recently in 2017. [41] The group's performances are characterized by them waving seafox flags, jumping from the stage, and doing other stunts that increase the energy of their shows.
The duo have begun another world tour in support of their second album, The Aviary. [42] The tour begins in United States at Ultra Music Festival as they travel across the country before returning to Europe. [43]
Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome | Ref. |
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2016 | Grammy Awards | Best Dance Recording | "Runaway (U & I)" | Nominated | [44] |
International Dance Music Awards | Best Electro/Progressive House Track | "Peanut Butter Jelly" | [45] | ||
Best Music Video | |||||
Best Progressive House/Electro DJ | Galantis | ||||
Best Artist (Group) | |||||
Best Full Length Studio Recording | Pharmacy | ||||
Electronic Music Awards & Foundation Show | Album of the Year | Pending | [46] | ||
Single of the Year | "Runaway (U & I)" | ||||
MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Swedish Act | Galantis | Nominated | [47] | |
NRJ Music Awards | Best New DJ | Nominated | [48] | ||
2017 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best Swedish Act | Nominated | [49] | |
2022 | Brit Awards | Best International Song | "Heartbreak Anthem" (with David Guetta and Little Mix) | Nominated | [50] |
iHeartRadio Music Awards | Dance Song of The Year | Nominated | [51] | ||
Grammis | Electro/Dance of the Year | "Heartbreak Anthem"/"Dandelion"/"Alien" | Nominated | [52] |
Big Beat Records, Inc. is an American electronic and dance music record label, owned by Warner Music Group and operates through Atlantic Records. It was founded as an independent record label in 1986 by Craig Kallman with an emphasis on house music, and later hip hop. It was absorbed into Atlantic Records in 1998, and eventually relaunched separately in 2010 as a primarily electronic music label. Its current roster includes 100 gecs, Dog Blood, Galantis, Whethan, Cash Cash, and Clean Bandit.
Bloodshy & Avant are a Swedish songwriting and production duo consisting of Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson and Pontus "Avant" Winnberg. They have worked with many prominent artists, including Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Ms. Dynamite, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Kelis, Girls' Generation, Christina Milian, Sky Ferreira, Hikaru Utada and BoA. In addition to their production work, Karlsson and Winnberg are also members of the synth-pop group Miike Snow, alongside lead vocalist Andrew Wyatt.
Miike Snow is a Swedish indie pop band formed in 2007. The band consists of producing team Bloodshy & Avant and American singer Andrew Wyatt. The band is often represented by a silhouette image of a jackalope. In their career, the band has released three studio albums: Miike Snow (2009), Happy to You (2012), and iii (2016).
Fred Vincent Pontare is a Swedish songwriter, producer, and singer. He is also known by the mononym Vincent. He regularly collaborates with Salem Al Fakir as songwriting, producer, and duo Vargas & Lagola. Together, they have worked with many pre-eminent artists, including: Avicii, Axwell Ʌ Ingrosso, Madonna, Seinabo Sey and Lady Gaga. In addition to their songwriting and production work, they release alternative pop music as Vargas & Lagola.
Lars Christian Karlsson, also known by his stage name Bloodshy, is a Swedish DJ, percussionist, record producer and remixer known for his work with the musical groups Bloodshy and Avant, Miike Snow, Ingrid, and Galantis. He started his international music career as one half of the electro pop duo Bloodshy & Avant with Pontus Winnberg, producing and co-writing tracks for pop stars such as Madonna, BoA, Kylie Minogue, and Katy Perry. Bloodshy & Avant notably co-wrote and produced Britney Spears' single "Toxic", which earned them a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2005. While continuing to work with Bloodshy and Avant, Karlsson also became a member of the indie pop band Miike Snow around 2007. Miike Snow, the group's debut album, was released in 2009, and peaked at number 11 on the Top Electronic Albums chart in the United States. Miike Snow won the 2011 European Border Breakers Award, and their second album Happy to You reached No. 1 on the Belgian Heatseekers Albums Chart and 43 on the Billboard 200.
Johan Linus Eklöw, better known by his stage name Style of Eye, is a Swedish DJ, record producer, songwriter and percussionist. He was part of the electropop music group Galantis from 2012.
Sylvan Esso is an American electronic pop duo from Durham, North Carolina which was formed in 2013. The band consists of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn. They made their debut with the single "Hey Mami" and released their eponymous debut album on Partisan Records on May 12, 2014. It reached No. 39 on the Billboard 200. They released their second album, What Now, with Loma Vista Recordings on April 28, 2017, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album.
"Runaway " is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Galantis. It was released on 5 October 2014 as the lead single from their debut studio album Pharmacy (2015). The song features uncredited production work by Svidden, as well as Julia Karlsson performing the chorus and Cathy Dennis performing two verses on heavily processed and uncredited vocals.
Pharmacy is the debut studio album by Swedish electronic music act Galantis, released on 8 June 2015. The album features six singles.
Galantis is a Swedish electronic music production and songwriting duo consisting of Christian "Bloodshy" Karlsson from Miike Snow, and Linus Eklöw aka Style of Eye. They are best known for their biggest hit singles "Runaway ", "Peanut Butter Jelly" and "No Money".
Galantis is the debut extended play by Swedish electronic music duo Galantis, released on 1 April 2014. The album features two singles, "Smile" and "You".
"Gold Dust" is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Galantis. It was released on 23 February 2015 as the third single from their debut studio album Pharmacy (2015). It became available on April 4, 2015 upon pre-order of the LP. The track features uncredited production by Svidden and uncredited and heavily modified vocals from Vincent Pontare.
"No Money" is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Galantis. It was released on 31 March 2016 as the lead single from their second studio album, The Aviary (2017). The song features uncredited vocals from Reece Bullimore, son of Beatbullyz's Andrew Bullimore and is written by Digital Farm Animals and Andrew Bullimore. It samples the amen break, most prominently at 1:44. It was commercially successful, peaking at number one in Norway and reaching the top ten in Sweden, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark. Additionally, it became their first single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, peaking at number 88.
"True Feeling" is a song by Swedish electronic dance music duo Galantis. It was written by Candy Shields, Stephen Wrabel, Jimmy 'Svidden' Koitzsch, Galantis and Henrik Jonback, with production handled by the latter three, and Wrabel on vocals. The song was released through Atlantic Records and WEA International on 12 July 2017, accompanied by the announcement of the duo's second studio album, The Aviary.
The Aviary is the second studio album by Swedish electronic dance music act Galantis. It was released on 15 September 2017 through Big Beat Records and Atlantic Records, and features appearances from Throttle, Reece Bullimore, Hook n Sling, ROZES, Hannah Wilson and Wrabel.
"Girls on Boys" is a song by Swedish electronic dance music production duo Galantis and American singer-songwriter Rozes. It was written by Rozes, Henrik Jonback, Rasmus Cantoreggi, Svidden, Afshin Salmani, Galantis, Toby Gad and Josh Cumbee, with production handled by the latter three and Afsheen. The song was released via Atlantic Records and WEA International on 1 September 2017, as the second promotional single from the duo's second studio album, The Aviary (2017).
"Bones" is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Galantis featuring vocals from American pop rock band OneRepublic, released on 31 January 2019 via Atlantic Recording in the United States and WEA International elsewhere around the globe. It was written by Bloodshy, Ryan Tedder, David Brook, Brett McLaughlin, Danny Majic, DJ Frank E, and Andy Grammer with production handled by Galantis, Bloodshy, Ryan Tedder, Danny Majic and DJ Frank E.
"Faith" is a song by Swedish duo Galantis and American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton featuring Dutch singer-songwriter Mr. Probz, from Galantis' third studio album Church, which was released in early 2020. The song was released on 25 October 2019, through Big Beat and Atlantic Records. It is a remake of John Hiatt's 1987 song "Have a Little Faith in Me".
"Dandelion" is a song by Swedish DJ duo Galantis and American singer, songwriter and producer Jvke. It was released on 8 January 2021 via Big Beat Records. It describes "a story of fleeting love."
"Lighter" is a song by Swedish electronic artist Galantis, French DJ David Guetta and Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer. It was released on 1 March 2024, as a single from Galantis' upcoming fourth studio album, Rx, via Big Beat Records.