Mainer-turned-pop-star Drew Taggart is having himself some kind of year. Taggart — who grew up in Freeport and makes up one half of the DJ duo The Chainsmokers — was nominated along with band mate Alex Pall Tuesday for three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Duo Performance for “Closer,” and Best Dance Recording for “Don’t Let Me Down.”
The Chainsmokers had three top-ten hits in 2016, including “Closer,” which sat at number one on the Billboard Charts for 12 weeks until Nov. 14. “Closer,” featuring fellow up-and-comer Halsey in a duet with Taggart, is a pop radio staple and currently sits at number three.
“So honored and grateful,” both Taggart and Pall wrote on The Chainsmokers Twitter feed Tuesday. “Thank you Grammys for these nominations, this is the best news ever! Honestly can’t believe it.”
Taggart, who graduated from Freeport High School in 2008, took an interest in music at a young age.
“I’m really grateful to be from there,” said Taggart in a Nov. 16 interview with The Times Record. “Kids have their own space to go explore and be outdoors and make their own little world for themselves. That’s something that’s hard to come by for today’s kids.”
After developing an electronic dance presentation for a senior project at Freeport High, Taggart studied music business at Syracuse and continued making electronic music on the side. In 2012, Taggart met Pall in New York City and The Chainsmokers were born.
The duo played nightly gigs in New York City for the next two years, and also produced music for other artists. They had a viral hit in 2014 with “#Selfie,” but really broke loose in 2016 with top 10 Billboard hits “Roses” and “Don’t Let Me Down.” They made numerous festival stops during the summer and embarked on a world tour.
“We’re very proud and grateful, but we’re already looking at what’s to come in 2017,” said Taggart. “We love music and love making music, and we’re pushing ourselves to progress as artists. That drive comes from a passionate place, not a place to want or need to succeed.”
The Grammy Awards will air on Feb. 12 on CBS.
bgoodridge@timesrecord.com
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