MYRNE and Manila Killa have become household names in both the U.S. and their home countries of Singapore and the Philippines respectively. Last year both artists released their debut projects, and now the two have come together with the release Fluorescence, a two-track collaborative EP out now on the iconic Ultra Records.
After Manila Killa enlisted him for his 1993 EP tour last year, it was clear he showed an appreciation for MYRNE’s sound, a collaboration between these two artists seemed inevitable. Having both dealt with the pressures and challenges that international artists face when attempting to breach the cultural divide in the states, now their stories are the signal that will allow many more to follow in their steps. “‘Fear’ and ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ are songs that encompass change and the experience of going through a transition of growth,” the pair shares, “these songs are explorations of influences that both of us bonded over when we toured together.” Singing and using their own vocals as a duet in the aptly-titled “Fear,” MYRNE and Manila Killa showcase their growing confidence as well-rounded artists unafraid to be their authentic selves. “Where Do We Go From Here” is their take on the progressive house era, a homage to the style that served as an early inspiration to pursue their current endeavours.
Known for his intersections in pop, and high-energy electronica, MYRNE began his journey in 2015 with the release of his ‘Softsins’ EP on dance music behemoth Mad Decent, inaugurating himself as the first Asian artist on their roster. His experiences in isolation growing up in Singapore, coupled with his classical training, has granted him a unique outlook on electronic music – with support from the likes of Porter Robinson, The Chainsmokers, and Martin Garrix as a testament to that fact.
An artist of varied influences ranging from Erol Alkan to Rustie, his musical versatility shines through his collaborations, remixes, and writing credits. In 2017, he released the seminal electronic-indie LP “B4NGER PROJECT” with longtime collaborator Gentle Bones on Universal Music, followed by co-production work on RL Grime’s “I Wanna Know” in 2018 – with the latter going on to rack up over 30,000,000 streams on Spotify alone. Perpetually straddling the spheres of high-octane records and lush soundtracks, MYRNE’s softer sensibilities shine through on official remix work for Lauv’s “There’s No Way”, Jai Wolf’s “Lost” and Martin Garrix’s “Ocean”. Solo work has not slowed either, with 2019 marking the debut of his first solo LP In Search of Solitude on Ultra Music.
Chris Gavino, aka Manila Killa, is a producer born in the United States but raised abroad. Despite a family that moved constantly and landed him in places as disparate as Indonesia, the Philippines (where he began producing music) and the United States, his moniker reminds the audience of where his electronic roots came from. His passion for producing transformed from self-taught Ableton lessons into a full-fledged career, earning him tens of millions of streams online, major festival billings, and prominent press coverage.
