Who are the people behind MIAMI?

Kristian: Two lads from a music school in Copenhagen, who started out producing Euro Dance on Amiga 1200 and Pro Tracker.

Nicolai: We continuously expanded our production facilities in Kristian's basement, with keyboards, samplers and harddisc recorders. Our musical playroom was expanded with friends Paw and Lina. We formed the techno-band Sound Pollution, built a new studio and got a record deal with Flex and famous DJ and producer Kenneth Bager in 1996. Things were cooking.

It is 21 years since the debut album "Angel On Fire" was released. Why do you now choose to release new music?

Kristian: I have done everything from garage rock to EDM in the meantime, but with Miami there could always be more experimentation. However, for many years I have felt that we could have done better then, if we had had more patience and experience. As Kenneth Bager said at the time: "If you had made 10 tracks at the same level as 'Angel on Fire', I would have signed it myself".

Nicolai: The prehistory was that we had made an agreement with the night club caleed IN in Copenhagen. The agreement was that we, in collaboration with DJ Søren Haahr, would provide musical entertainment for the various theme evenings. You were quite creative back then in the 90’s and it was supposed to be fun to go out. Today, it’s all about looking cool and superficial. Anyway, we were supposed to deliver music for a Scottish night. In that connection we had to produce a dance track containing bagpipes. It became the cornerstone of Infernal's birth and our exit. Infernal quickly got a new contract with Søren Haahr at Flex. Kristian and I continued working on our breakbeat project, heavily inspired by artists like Chemical Brothers and Beck. 2 weeks later we signed a contract with Virgin Records.

What have you done since then?

Kristian: Studied Arabic, opened a hostel in Beirut, exported classic VW type 2 (T1) from Brazil to Denmark, taken private pilot certificate.

Nicolai: I became a speaker for a TV station, later worked as a technician in the TV industry and today I’m the owner of an independent film and TV production company.

How do you make music when the band is now located in Brazil and Denmark?

Kristian: I like to make a sketch for a melody and pass it on to Nico, who then writes lyrics and recording vocals, if he really likes it. Alternatively, Nico has a draft of a tune that we are developing. The only rule is that we should both like the melody. Then we get the drums and guitar recorded. Eventually, I finish producing it.

Nicolai: Making music with the Atlantic Ocean and many time zones between us is actually not as challenging as it sounds. It also gives time for each of us to immerse ourselves and get in to the music, sounds and lyrics.

Do you use the same team of musicians as on the debut album?

Kristian: Almost, we have not yet been able to get in touch with Jacob our bass player, so Shane is recording both bass and guitars so far.

Nicolai: We got Rasmus Schebye on drums. I have also used Rasmus in other projects, where we played together in the band The People, which also had a lot of airplay in Denmark and in Germany. Rasmus Schebye plays tight as a Danish version of Charlie Watts.

What is the single “Weightless” about?

Nicolai: Kristian send me the song "I'm On A Roll" in the spring of 2021. Lyrics was quickly written and and the song was released under the name MIAMI. It was then clear to us that we actually had a lot more music to offer. In August we released the single "Sparkling Eyes", built on an old demo, which we gave new verse and lyrics. In the summer of 2021, Kristian sends me the first draft of a song, which will later become "Weightless".

I was in Mallorca and I just couldn’t get the tune out of my head. So notes were written between tapas and beach trips. My first thought fell on the loss of our mutual friend Jesper Dinsen, who unfortunately passed away recently. Jesper meant a lot to us and also helped write MIAMI's first radio single "Angel On Fire". "Weightless" is therefore about death, but also about moving on, even if it's hard as hell.

Your debut album was very oriented around breakbeats and samples, is that something you want to continue with?

Kristian: Yes, if it can contribute anything to a song. Back then, music equipment was more inhibited. Today it's easier to produce something yourself from scratch. So even if we only record drums with two microphones, we can get more out of it. it today.

Will it be possible to experience MIAMI live?

Nicolai: We really want to gather the old team and express ourselves on a stage. Right now, though, it's about being creative, writing songs and being patient. Time will tell.