Drew Taggart is one half of the GRAMMY Award-winning and Billboard Chart-topping artist/producer duo, The Chainsmokers, who have evolved into a dominating musical force with a diverse repertoire of songs that have led them to become one of music’s most popular recording artists. Now he joins Ross Golan on his acclaimed Podcast ‘And The Writer Is…’ which has previously featured artists including James Bay, Finneas, Skylar Grey, Charlie XCX & Many more.
On the show they dive into the early days of Taggarts journey in music and shed the light on how he chased his dreams. Among the stories we hear about how he interned at Interscope for Nick Groff and Neil Jacobsen which lead to him landing his first big break with an official remix of LMFAO and he recounts the story of how he ended up in The Chainsmokers, replacing another member after a chance meeting thanks to his booking agent.
Further on the show he tells us the behind the scenes stories of how songs were made, the dynamic between the two members and the creative process behind the music which we don’t often hear in typical press stories and interviews.
He discusses how before they made it big they embarked on a relentless machine of reaching out to artists behind breaking songs on Hype Machine and building relationships with the blog writers which lead to them getting over 20 #1s on the Hype Machine Charts.
Then Taggart recounts the story behind their breakthrough hit ‘Selfie’, which they made as a joke for a club show at Miami nightclub LIV and how they even considered removing the song because it didnt fit their real passion. As well as the story of how Republic records dropped them following only handfull of releases.
He then discusses how the group catapulted to worldwide stardom with on to pen three Multi-Platinum certified hits thanks to “Roses (ft. Rozes)”, “Don’t Let Me Down (ft.Daya)”, and “Closer (ft. Halsey)”, which went on to become the longest-running #1 single of 2016 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. As well as their debut album via Disruptor/Columbia Records titled ‘Memories… Do Not Open’. The album, which has been certified Platinum, debuted at #1 in the U.S. on the Billboard 200 chart and produced Multi-Platinum certified smash hits “Paris” and “Something Just Like This” featuring Coldplay.