Mount Kimbie

Biography

Mount Kimbie is an English electronic music and indie rock group formed in 2008 by Dominic 'Dom' Maker from Chichester and Kai Campos from Cornwall, who met while studying at Southbank University in London—Campos pursuing music for the second time and Maker studying film. They began producing music in a home studio in Peckham, drawing from the UK dubstep scene but expanding it with experimental rhythms blending wonky, hip-hop, and ambient soundscapes, as heard in their critically acclaimed early EPs Maybes (2009) and Sketch on Glass (2009). Their debut album Crooks & Lovers (2010) solidified their reputation, topping numerous best-of-the-decade lists from outlets like Pitchfork, Mixmag, and DJ Mag, marking them as pioneers of post-dubstep.[1][2][7]

Signing to Warp Records in 2012, Mount Kimbie evolved their sound across subsequent albums including Cold Spring Fault Less Youth (2013), Love What Survives (2017), and The Sunset Violent (2024), shifting toward indie rock elements with live instrumentation. Drummer Marc Pell (formerly of Micachu and the Shapes) and keyboardist Andrea Balency-Béarn joined as live members in 2016, becoming full members in 2023 ahead of The Sunset Violent, recorded partly in a disused frat house in Yucca Valley, USA. The duo's solo pursuits enriched their style: Campos curates techno DJ sets and mixes like DJ-Kicks (2018), while Maker, now LA-based, produces for artists like James Blake and Travis Scott.[1][2][5]

Mount Kimbie's legacy lies in bridging electronic and indie realms, influencing London's post-punk revival and performing at prestigious venues like Tate Modern, Barbican, Coachella, and Glastonbury. Their music, characterized by samples, found sounds, and emotional depth, has cultivated a global fanbase, with The Sunset Violent continuing their innovative trajectory.[1][2]

Fun Facts

• Mount Kimbie's fourth album The Sunset Violent was partially recorded in a disused frat house in Yucca Valley, USA, reflecting the distance between LA-based Dom Maker and London-based Kai Campos.[5]
• Kai Campos' breakthrough into production came from his music teacher demonstrating multi-track tape recording, leading him to abandon improving at drums for self-recording.[3][4]
• Dom Maker's family background emphasized academia—his parents were teachers—making music initially feel like just a hobby before committing fully.[4]
• The band has performed at art institutions like Tate Modern, MoMA PS1, and Barbican, alongside festivals such as Primavera and Coachella.[2]

Members

• Kai Campos
• Dominic Maker

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Music teacher (unnamed) - Taught Kai Campos multi-track recording with tape, sparking his production interest over traditional playing (Early electronic music experiments leading to Mount Kimbie) [Pre-2008 (teen years)]
• Gilles Peterson, John Peel, Benji B - Radio DJs whose BBC Radio 1 shows introduced Campos to dance music (Influenced initial software-based production) [Early 2000s]

Key Collaborators

• James Blake - Frequent collaborator and producer; Maker produced for him; featured on tracks ("We Go Home Together" on Love What Survives; Maker's production work) [2017-present]
• King Krule - Guest vocalist on key tracks ("Blue Train Lines" on Love What Survives) [2017]
• Micachu (Mica Levi) - Guest vocalist; Marc Pell formerly in her band Micachu and the Shapes ("Marilyn" on Love What Survives) [2017]
• Andrea Balency-Béarn - Keyboardist, live then full member (The Sunset Violent and live performances) [2016-present (full member 2023)]
• Marc Pell - Drummer, live then full member; from Micachu and the Shapes (The Sunset Violent and live performances) [2016-present (full member 2023)]

Artists Influenced

• Post-punk bands in London - Inspired by Mount Kimbie's evolution from electronic to indie rock (Various bands in English capital's scene) [2017 onward]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #dubstep, #electronic, #minimal-techno