Young Bombs scored their first official remix in 2015, when they were tasked to put their own spin on pop star Nick Jonas’ song “Teacher.” While the achievement is something to be proud of, the Vancouver duo mostly look back at that process as “honestly painstaking,” as member Martin Kottmeier recalls. “We put so much pressure on ourselves, as we’d never done anything remotely that big, or for an artist of that status.” But, he says the stressful experience taught him, and bandmate Tristan Norton, an important lesson that they’ve since adapted to their other remixes and songs: “Making music should be fun and expressive.”
Since then, Young Bombs have added many more high-profile artists to their portfolio of remixes, from Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez, to Post Malone and Khalid. In the EDM world, they’ve received praise from heavy hitters like Tiësto, Don Diablo, Oliver Heldens, The Chainsmokers and Galantis which, Martin notes, “means everything to us; we’ve looked up to those guys as heroes, so anytime they offer support or show us love, it’s truly humbling.”
Last year found the pair racking up 45 remixes, and in just four years, Young Bombs has earned nearly 100 million streams. This year, they decided to take the next natural step in their evolution: creating original songs. In March, Young Bombs put out “Starry Eyes,” a cosmic dance number that includes handclaps, ticking rhythms, and layered vocals, all swirling together into a dynamic burst of electro-pop.
With another single out already, song of the summer contender “Don’t Let Them,” Young Bombs are excited to continue releasing new material and working with other artists. At the top of their dream collaboration list? Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill, and “Mambo No. 5” singer Lou Bega. “His work is second to none and so often overlooked,” Kottmeier says, praising Bega’s big hit. “Let’s bring Lou back.”