Midnight Kids: Kyle Girard and Dylan Lee

By Brian Bonavoglia, DJ Times 2019

Midnight Kids popped onto the EDM scene in 2017 with a notable string of remixes that infused their ’80s-inspired touch into already-catchy tracks like the Chainsmokers’ “Young” and Jai Wolf’s “Lost.”

In relatively quick fashion, the L.A.-based duo began to score with original productions like 2018’s “Find Our Way” and “Serious,” a recent collab with Matthew Koma. In addition to creating more remixes for high-flying acts like Porter Robinson and Gryffin, the pair began to hit summer festival circuit – upcoming gigs include a Sept. 1 date at NYC’s prestigious Electric Zoo.

We recently caught up with Midnight Kids Kyle Girard and Dylan Lee (yes, he’s the son of Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson) to discuss their artistic journey and future plans.

DJ Times: Midnight Kids got known with a string of hot remixes. When did you know you were ready to release an original production like “Find Our Way” in 2018?

Girard: Honestly, the plan has always been to release original music. We’ve always felt that original music is what defines you. Once “Find Our Way” was finished, we knew that was the first record we were going to put out. We’re so happy with the response we've received on that record – so glad everyone connected with it.

Midnight Kids: (from left) Kyle Girard & Dylan Lee.

DJ Times: Your latest single, “Those Were the Days” featuring Jared Lee, has summer anthem written all over it. How did that one come together?

Lee: That came together quicker than any record we’ve done before. Jared sent us the topline while we were in Miami for Miami Music Week. We started playing around with a new idea and then suddenly remembered an existing instrumental we had. So we tried putting the vocal over it and it was magic, felt like that’s where it belonged. Sent it to label and then boom – that was the next record.

DJ Times: You've already worked with Matthew Koma, one of the industry's top production talents. Anyone else you hope to work with one day?

Girard: Working with Matthew Koma was amazing –he’s such a great singer, writer and person. We'd love to work with Betty Who, Halsey, Emily Warren, bülow, Bastille and Kim Petras, to name a few.

DJ Times: Walk us through a studio session with Midnight Kids…

Girard: We usually go into the studio with a vocalist to get a topline on something that we’re working on. Recently, though, we’ve been going in and creating something from scratch with the artist, so the connection to a potential record is there from the get-go. Usually, Dylan will noodle something on the guitar or I’ll play something on the keys, and we’ll simply see where things lead. One small idea can set the tone for an entire session.

DJ Times: What gear and programs do you use when it comes to production?

Lee: We use a lot of analog-emulation software to make sure that whatever we’re writing will have that signature ’80s touch. We’ve recently been tracking a lot of guitar through an [Fractal Audio Systems] AxeFx II [preamp/effects processor], as well as recording with a [Roland] Juno we got.

DJ Times: The group has a very distinct, ’80s-inspired style of production. What is it that made you fall in love with that sound?

Girard: There’s something that feels inherently nostalgic about it. There’s something magical about the way vintage synths and atmospheres sound. It's all about channeling those sounds that make you feel something.

DJ Times: Will there ever be a time where you explore different genres?

Lee: Absolutely! We want to experiment with everything. We plan on experimenting a lot more with a full body of work, such as an EP or album.

DJ Times: You've been on the road quite a bit this year. How do prepare for festival sets compared to playing at clubs?

Girard: The preparation for both sets is kind of the same, in the sense that a lot of time goes into both – ha! Really the only difference from a festival set to a club set is the music selection. With festivals, we play pretty much all of our own music and things that align with what we are doing, while in the club scene, we are bit more loose with song selection. We’ll experiment with some music we wouldn’t tend to play in other settings, which is super-fun as well.

DJ Times: Would you say you're more festival or more club guys?

Lee: Definitely festival guys. While we’ve only played a handful of festivals so far, they’ve been some of the most incredible experiences of our lives. People go to festivals to dance and enjoy great music, and it’s always so awesome that people really connect with our sets.

DJ Times: What can fans expect from Midnight Kids in the near future?

Girard: More music and shows. We're also beginning to put together a body of work that shows all sides of the Midnight Kids sound.