When you're a trio of up-and-coming musicians, it can be a good career move when one of the biggest hitmakers on Earth wants to collaborate with you. That's what happened when Disciples, a London-based production outfit, sent Calvin Harris a demo of their song, "How Deep Is Your Love?" looking for some pointers (the boys were already publishing music on Harris' imprint, Fly-Eye). Harris, sensing Song of the Summer potential, loved the track so much that he offered to work on it together. The final version was released on July 17, quickly rose to number two on the UK singles chart, and has made the top 10 in 29 countries. A sultry video starring Gigi Hadid only helped to increase the trio's profile. And now, they're set to take the electronic-music world by storm with an upcoming single, EP, and tour. Let's get to know them better.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Natural and always vibey.
How did your career get started?
Two of us (Gavin and Duvall) went to Reigate College in Surrey where we both studied music tech and fell into house music quiet early. Luke was a lyricist and rapper from an early age and found his way to writing hooks and bars on funky house beats, then the natural progression from house. We all met a few years after and we all worked on each others' projects, which sounded like a fusion of all the things we loved—hip-hop, R&B, and house—before deciding to put it all together in 2011 and 2012.
Where do you hope to be professionally in five years?
We’re lucky to say we’re professionally doing music right now. Five years from now, we just hope to be better.
What’s your next project?
We’re releasing a three-track EP called The Following and working on our next single as well as touring with a major act toward the end of this year.
What are you most proud of so far in terms of your career?
Building a solid fan base. They are everything to us, they push us to do more, and remind us to never get complacent.
What famous person, dead or living, do you most wish you could have as a roommate?
We all have different ones, for Duvall especially it would be MJ [Michael Jackson] as he changed the course of music, or Abraham Lincoln, as he changed the course of humanity.
What is your favorite driving music?
The final mix of beats and songs we're about to put out—second-best place to test your own music, first would be the club.
Whose career would you most like to emulate?
Pharrell—his rise through transitioning is inspirational, he’s always looking for a new way to create.
If you had to live in a past time, what do you think would be the most fun era and why?
Motown era. We feel like they said everything and made every groove possible.
What activities do most enjoy doing alone?
Duvall plays a lot of tennis and squash, Luke’s a boxing fanatic. Gavin goes on mile-long runs, but music takes up most of our time.
How do you wind down before bed?
Bed? Who has time to rest!?
When are you most relaxed?
With our heads inside a Function One speaker blaring out the dirtiest bass.
What kind of person were you in high school?
The kid that bullied the bullies.
Can you tell me a quality about yourself that you are genuinely proud of?
Communication—working in a group, something as simple as communicating has to be number one.
Do you have any phobias?
Failing.
What’s a serious side of you that people are unlikely to know about? Either in terms of interests, hobbies, or personality?
We get really passionate about injustice and inequality, long debates are had on a weekly basis
What are some new hobbies you would like to take on?
Duvall: I’ve always driven past teams of tree surgeons hanging off of tall trees on systems of ropes and pulleys, and thought, "That's cool!"
How do you hope to grow as a creative group?
Explore the unknown, if we ever made the same music year by year, I dont think we’d last long.
If there was a phrase that you think best sums up your approach to life what might it be?
Do everything!
