After putting the Bixel Boys project on hiatus in mid-2017, Rob Darke and Ian MacPherson have revived the project with a new single.
Turn back the clock a decade, and you’ll find a completely different scene. House and techno were rapidly gaining ground, and artists like the Bixel Boys were dropping booming tracks that made crowds move at their whim. The duo, comprised of Rob Darke and Ian MacPherson, quickly captivated many in the scene with their dynamic tracks, memorable remixes, and sets that kept everyone dancing the entire time.
Catching a vibe with the Bixel Boys was easy. Sets at EDC Las Vegas, Coachella, and CRSSD Festival, along with releases on Sweat It Out, OWSLA, and Dim Mak, helped them foster a faithful following. Additionally, their #FREELIFE brand was worn by Skrillex, Martin Garrix, and many others. However, in 2017, the duo hit a turning point, and MacPherson decided to hang up the headphones and pursue other creative endeavors.
While the Bixel Boys did reunite for shows every once in a blue moon while they were split up, no new music surfaced for fans to feast their ears on. Yet life was breathed into the project six weeks ago with the announcement of a new single, “The Call.” Subsequent posts showed off some of their favorite moments during their run, stirring up nostalgia for anyone who had caught them years ago.
Today, “The Call” has finally been released. Paired with the tune is a post on Instagram where the Bixel Boys shared some insight on why they went separate ways and the difficult emotions they experienced after splitting up. “We left to find out what we were really supposed to be doing with our purpose,” they said. “It’s impossible to put into words just how bittersweet it was to give up on something that you worked so hard for, but our truest selves came from that transition.”
The duo goes on to say that “The Call” is a song they would’ve loved a decade ago in their cramped Hollywood studio, but it’s also an effective love letter to the roller coaster ride that was their career. The slow, chilled-out intro leads into soft, airy breaks and emotion-fueled vocals, and the distant sample of Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two” adds another layer to its story-telling nature. It’s a perfect track to honor their legacy and show off what’s (hopefully) to come.
This is a call to the true us, the memories of the shows, the joyful and melancholy nature of touring, the life that blossomed when we walked away, and all the incredible fans that showed us support. It’s nice [to] be back. Thanks for waiting.
The Bixel Boys
Listen to “The Call” on Spotify or grab a copy on Bandcamp, and follow the Bixel Boys on social media for (hopefully) more to come from the duo!
Stream Bixel Boys – The Call on Spotify:
