GRAMMY-WINNING ELECTRONICPOP DUO THE CHAINSMOKERS CONTINUE TO MYSTIFY WITH THEIR CLUB-THUMPING CAULDRON OF EDM, INDIE, DANCE BEATS, AND HIP-HOP – AND WITH JUST A KISS OF SATIRE

BY TIA KIM

BORN: Alex Pall was born in the Big Apple and raised in Westchester County, while his partner in primetime Drew Taggart hails from Freeport, Maine.

BIG BREAK: In 2014 the relatively unknown DJ duo who up until then had only achieved moderate success from producing remixes of other indie artists released an earworm dance track that followed a social media and image obsessed clubgoer on a night out on the town. “#SELFIE” immediately sparked heated responses, but even as a “low point…even for EDM” as one critic chided, it was a song everyone loved to hate.

“#SELFIE” raced to the top of the charts, taking the top spot on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs and peaking at number 8 on US Mainstream Top 40.

NOTABLE HITS: 2016’s “Closer” featuring singer Halsey is arguably the group’s biggest hit to date. “Something Just Like This” (2017) with Coldplay hit number one on the Billboard US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, and “Roses” (2015) featuring Rozes is still a festival mainstay. In 2016 the Chains mokers nabbed their first Grammy for Best Dance Recording with “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya.

WHAT’S NEXT: Early last year in a social media post the duo announced they would be taking a break from our screens to go into “album mode,” creating their fourth installment, TCS4. In an amorphous move this May, the DJs changed their social profile and cover photos to a nondescript purple image, which can only mean one thing: the wait is nearly over for new tunes.

PRE-SHOW RITUAL: Both artists sit down before each performance to enjoy a steak accompanied by an espresso.