Biography
The Chainsmokers are an American electronic and pop duo made up of Alex Pall and Andrew "Drew" Taggart. The act took its current shape in New York City in 2012 under the management of Adam Alpert, after an earlier lineup with Rhett Bixler ended and Taggart, who had grown up in Freeport, Maine, joined Pall.[1]
Pall studied art history and music business at New York University and worked at a Chelsea art gallery. Taggart attended Syracuse University and interned at Interscope. Taggart is the group's primary songwriter and singer, while Pall produces and co-writes.[1]
They first drew attention with remixes of indie artists, including a remix of Daughter's "Medicine" that topped the Hype Machine chart in 2013, and with the free single "#Selfie" at the end of that year. They signed to Disruptor and Sony in 2015.[1]
Their breakthrough run included "Roses" (2015), "Don't Let Me Down" with Daya (2016, winner of the Grammy for Best Dance Recording), "Closer" with Halsey (2016, their first US and UK number one) and "Something Just Like This" with Coldplay (2017). Their debut album Memories...Do Not Open reached number one on the Billboard 200.[1]
In October 2026 the duo announced they were leaving Columbia and Disruptor after eleven years and going independent on their own label, Secondhand Happiness. Their first release on it was the single "BABY" on October 16, 2026.[2]
References
- The Chainsmokers (Wikipedia) — Formation, early career, hits, Grammy win and discography
- The Chainsmokers Go Independent & Release New Single 'Baby' (EDMTunes) — Label departure, duo statements and description of the single