Lost Kings

Lost Kings
OriginLos Angeles, US
Genres
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • remixer
  • songwriter
Instrument
Years active2014–present
Labels
MembersRobert Abisi (Rob Gainley)
Nick Shanholtz (Dr. No)
Websitewww.wearelostkings.com

Lost Kings are an American DJ duo consisting of Robert Abisi and Nick Shanholtz, based in Los Angeles.[1] The duo gained popularity beginning in 2014 through their official remixes for artists such as Imagine Dragons, Krewella, Halsey, Vance Joy, Echosmith, Rihanna, and Tori Kelly, and through their original progressive house music. Managed by Disruptor Management, a joint venture at Sony Music Entertainment, they signed to Disruptor Records/RCA Records in October 2016.[2]

Biography

[edit]

Formation

[edit]

DJ Robert Abisi (also known as Rob Gainley), was born in Boston, Massachusetts and Nick Shanholtz (also known as Dr. No) a writer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, was born in Baltimore, Maryland.[3] The two met through a mutual friend and started the project when the duo talked about collaborating in music on Abisi's 25th birthday in 2014.[1] The duo begin using 'Lost Kings' as a stage name because they 'felt lost' moving to Los Angeles and had goals they wanted to accomplish.[3]

Members

[edit]

Robert Abisi

[edit]

Abisi grew up in Andover, Massachusetts and initially had dreams to become a professional athlete but was always surrounded by music.[1] After realizing the ambition was very unlikely to become true, he became a DJ and producer. He was able to meet many of his favorite musical artists, such as Coldplay, at a young age because his father worked in the radio industry. In school, he started music blogs to introduce people to new music. When he was 19 years old, his parents bought him a DJ controller for Christmas as they realized about his musical passion. The year after that, he found out that his father was diagnosed with throat cancer when he was about to leave for a 'study-abroad' program in London. Just like that, he was in London, his aunt died due to cancer and his grandmother's husband too died. His father had been cancer-free since December 2009. He graduated from James Madison University in Virginia in 2011 and moved to Los Angeles. He wanted to pursue a musical career as a solo artist and had tried to book DJ gigs.[1]

Nick Shanholtz

[edit]

Shanholtz grew up on the East Coast and in Baltimore, Maryland.[1] He wanted to become a professional musician (specifically, drummer in a band). He started playing the drums when he was 8 years old. He began playing the piano and guitar at 15 and realized he wanted to write and produce music. He went to Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts, and later went to Berklee College of Music in Boston. In 2010, he moved to Los Angeles to enroll in the LA Recording School. Upon arrival in LA, he had struggled to make friends until he met Abisi and surrounded himself with the right people.[1]

Career

[edit]

2014–2015

[edit]

Lost Kings was launched in 2014 by members Robert Abisi and Nick Shanholtz.[4] They were signed to Disruptor Management, a joint venture by Sony Music and were managed by Adam Alpert and Enes Kolenovic who represented Disruptor Management.[5] They started the project by releasing remixes, in the progressive house genre before shifting to a more 'groove-tinged' sound. The duo sent their first remix to many record companies and received their first response from Alpert of Disruptor Records, prior to their signing to the label. Disruptor agreed with their visions of establishing themselves as artists with remixes before producing original songs. When asked about their diverse musical style, Shanholtz said they didn't want to be only recognized in a particular genre as that would make them 'predictable'. The duo attributed their success to Hype Machine, stating that their music received a lot of plays from the music blog aggregator. They started to gain recognition when their remix of Disclosure's "Latch" was played on the radio.[4]

They first achieved prominence in 2014 when their unofficial remix of Disclosure's "Latch" [feat. Sam Smith] was placed in regular rotation on Sirius/XM's BPM ("Beats Per Minute") Dance/Electronic channel, replacing the original.[4] Billboard premiered their official remix of Imagine Dragons' "I Bet My Life" (#28 on the US Billboard Hot 100) on January 26, 2015,[2] noting at the time that "[w]ith 20 native records living on their SoundCloud page, along with a few guest mixes sprinkled in, the Lost Kings’ diligent work ethic in the studio has translated to excellent streaming numbers and a multitude of radio spins.

They released their debut EP "The Bad" through Spinnin' Records.[4]

Their debut on Spinnin' Records, "Bad" (feat. Jessame),[6] entered Spotify's Global Viral Chart at No. 15 and gained over 4.7 million streams on Spotify and one million video views. Premiering the "Bad" single on Sept. 23, 2015, Idolator described their "year spent touring and remixing artists as varied as Tori Kelly, Imagine Dragons and Vance Joy."[7] Their single "You" (feat. Katelyn Tarver), from their 2015 The Bad EP, gained over two million video views and eight million streams on Spotify. Tracks from The Bad EP (Spinnin' Records) received over 15 million streams on Spotify. In October 2015 they released an official remix of Tori Kelly's Billboard Hot 100-charting[8] "Should've Been Us".

2016–present

[edit]

By 2016, they had amassed 13 No. 1's on Hype Machine, over 30 million plays on Soundcloud, and over 25 million Spotify streams. Tracks from The Good EP (released March 3, 2016 on Spinnin' Records) received over four million streams on Spotify. They were tapped to create an official remix of Rihanna's Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping "Work" (feat. Drake).

In October 2016 they signed to Disruptor Records/RCA Records, releasing the single "Phone Down" (feat. Emily Warren) to mark the occasion. The track reached Billboard's Twitter Emerging Artists chart[9] and was No. 5 on Spotify's Top Ten most viral tracks for the week of Oct. 7 - Oct. 13.

On tour, the duo has appeared at a variety of festivals including 'Billboard's Hot 100 Festival (2016),[10] EDC (Electric Daisy Carnival) N.Y. (2016),[11] Moonrise Festival (2016),[12] Sunset Music Festival (2016),[13] Hangout Music Fest (2016),[14] Crush (2015),[15] Summer of Sound (2016),[16] Landstreff Stavanger (2016),[17] Hellow Festival (2016)[18] and Made in America Festival (2018)[19]

On June 9, 2017, they released "Look At Us Now" as a single featuring singer Ally Brooke and rapper ASAP Ferg.[20][21]

In March 2018, the Lost Kings had their debut performance at Ultra Music Festival in Bayfront Park, Miami.[22]

In June 2021, the Lost Kings performed at Todd & Connor's rooftop birthday party in New York City. [23]

Discography

[edit]

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Extended play details
The Bad
The Good
  • Released: March 11, 2016
  • Label: Spinnin'
  • Format: Digital download
Paper Crowns[24]
  • Released: January 4, 2019
  • Label: Disruptor, RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
We Are Lost Kings (Japan EP)[25]
  • Released: September 27, 2019 (Japan)
  • Label: Disruptor, RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Lost Angeles[26]
  • Released: October 25, 2019
  • Label: Disruptor, RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
It's Not You, It's Me[27]
  • Released: December 10, 2021
  • Label: Disruptor, RCA
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album/EP
US
Dance

[28]
SWE
[29]
"Bad"
(featuring Jessame)
2015 The Bad EP
"You"
(featuring Katelyn Tarver)
"Phone Down"
(featuring Emily Warren)
2016 25 Non-album single
"Quit You"
(featuring Tinashe)
2017 32 We Are Lost Kings (Japan EP)
"Look at Us Now"
(featuring Ally Brooke and A$AP Ferg)
30
"First Love"
(featuring Sabrina Carpenter)[31][32]
26
"Don't Call" 41 Non-album single
"When We Were Young"[33]
(featuring Norma Jean Martine)
2018 36 Paper Crowns
"Drunk As Hell"[34]
(featuring Jesper Jenset)
"Stuck"[35]
(featuring Tove Styrke)
58
"Don't Kill My High"[36]
(featuring Wiz Khalifa and Social House)
2019 21
"Anti-Everything"[37]
(with Loren Gray)
32
"Too Far Gone"[38]
(featuring Anna Clendening)
Lost Angeles
"Try"[39]
(featuring Safe)
"Ain't the Same"[40]
(featuring Cxloe)
"LA & the Parties"[41]
(featuring Sevyn Streeter and Luh Kel)
48
"Somebody Out There"[42]
(featuring Marc E. Bassy)
"Hurt"[43]
(featuring DeathbyRomy)
2020 47 It's Not You, It's Me
"Oops (I'm Sorry)"[44]
(featuring Ty Dolla Sign and Gashi)
21
"Mountains"[45]
(featuring Masn)
"Runaway"[46]
(featuring Destiny Rogers)
"I Miss the Future"[47]
(featuring Jordan Shaw)
2021 39
"Me Myself & Adderall"[48]
(featuring Goody Grace)
27
"Broken in All the Right Places"[49]
(featuring Mod Sun)
16
"Under the Influence"[50]
(featuring Jordan Shaw)
2022 Non-album singles
"Save Me"[51]
(featuring Kiddo AI)
"I Do"[52]
(featuring Slush Puppy)
"Wanderlust"[53]
"Here for You"[54]
(featuring Kheela)
2024
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Remixes

[edit]

2014

[edit]

2015

[edit]

2016

[edit]

2019

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Miller, Kiera (2014-12-23). "Aspire to Inspire 038: Lost Kings". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  2. ^ a b Medved, Matt. "Billboard Exclusive Premiere: Lost Kings Remix Imagine Dragons' 'I Bet My Life'". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  3. ^ a b Cameron, John (2015-10-27). "Exclusive Interview: Lost Kings Talk Their Signature Sound And Recent Originals". We Got This Covered. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  4. ^ a b c d Rishty, David. "Lost Kings Talk Remix Success & 'Bad' EP on Spinnin' Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  5. ^ Kim, David (January 31, 2015). "I Bet My Life You Dig This Lost Kings Remix". Lessthan3. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  6. ^ KSpence (2015-09-25). "Lost Kings Release First Original Track "Bad" [Spinnin']". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  7. ^ Williott, Carl (2015-09-23). "Lost Kings & Jessame Want A "Bad" Mama Jama: Premiere". Music News, Reviews, and Gossip on Idolator.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  8. ^ "Tori Kelly - Chart history | Billboard". billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  9. ^ "Lost Kings - Chart history | Billboard". billboard.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  10. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 Festival: Daily Lineup Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  11. ^ "LINEUP - EDC NewYork". EDC NewYork. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  12. ^ "LINE UP - Moonrise Festival Aug 6 & 7 2016 - Baltimore, MD". moonrisefestival.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  13. ^ "Your Complete Sunset Music Festival Lineup for 2016". Disco Donnie Presents. 2016-03-22. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  14. ^ "Hangout Music Festival Lineup". Hangout Music Festival. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  15. ^ "Crush - Southern California". Insomniac.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  16. ^ "Summer of Sound – Energy 106". Energy 106. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  17. ^ "Landstreffet i Stavanger: Lost Kings (US)". landstreff.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  18. ^ H/AC. "Hellow Festival 2016". hellowfestival.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  19. ^ DeLuca, Dan. "Made in America set times announced". http://www2.philly.com. Retrieved 2018-09-04. {{cite news}}: External link in |work= (help)
  20. ^ Powell, Karlie (2017-06-10). "Lost Kings Drop Infectious New Track With A$AP FERG You'll Be Singing For Days". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
  21. ^ "Ally Brooke Shines On Lost Kings' Fiery "Look At Us Now"". idolator. 2017-06-08. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
  22. ^ "Lost Kings @ Ultra Music Festival Miami 2018 (Worldwide Stage) Tracklist / Playlist". 24 March 2018.
  23. ^ "The Barstool Yak with Big Cat & Co || Monday, June 14th, 2021". YouTube.
  24. ^ "Paper Crowns - EP by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  25. ^ "WE ARE LOST KINGS (JAPAN EP) by Lost Kings". Apple Music (Japan). September 27, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  26. ^ "Lost Angeles – EP by Lost Kings". Apple Music. October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  27. ^ Goldenberg, Ross (December 16, 2021). "Lost Kings send in a pair of touching originals to perfect It's Not You, It's Me EP". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  28. ^ "Lost Kings Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2022.
  29. ^ "Lost Kings feat. Tove Styrke – Stuck". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  30. ^ "Gold & Platinum Search "Lost Kings"". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  31. ^ "First Love (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) - Single by Lost Kings". Apple Music (US). 13 October 2017.
  32. ^ "Dance/EDM Future Releases". AllAccess Music Group. October 24, 2017. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  33. ^ "When We Were Young (feat. Norma Jean Martine) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 11 May 2018. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
  34. ^ "Drunk As Hell (feat. Jesper Jenset) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 12 October 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  35. ^ "Stuck (feat. Tove Styrke) – Single by Lost Kings". Apple Music. July 20, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  36. ^ Bein, Kat (January 4, 2019). "Lost Kings Recruit Wiz Khalifa and Social House For 'Don't Kill My High' Off 'Paper Crowns' EP: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  37. ^ "Anti-Everything – Single by Lost Kings & Loren Gray". iTunes Store. 11 January 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  38. ^ Shaffer, Claire (June 7, 2019). "Lost Kings, Anna Clendening Dig Their Own Graves in New Song 'Too Far Gone'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 18, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  39. ^ "Try (feat. Safe) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 23 August 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  40. ^ "Ain't the Same (feat. CXLOE) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 20 September 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  41. ^ "LA & the Parties (feat. Sevyn Streeter & Luh Kel) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 11 October 2019. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  42. ^ "Somebody Out There (feat. Marc E. Bassy) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 18 October 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  43. ^ Goldenberg, Ross (September 7, 2020). "Lost Kings return to house stylings with DeathbyRomy on 'Hurt' as first single from incoming EP". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  44. ^ "Oops (I'm Sorry) [feat. Ty Dolla $ign and GASHI] - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. 2 October 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  45. ^ "Mountains (feat. MASN) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. 6 November 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  46. ^ "Runaway (feat. Destiny Rogers) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  47. ^ "I Miss the Future (feat. Jordan Shaw) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. 28 May 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  48. ^ "Me Myself & Adderall (feat. Goody Grace) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  49. ^ "Broken In all The Right Places by Lost Kings, Mod Sun on Spotify". Spotify. 9 December 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  50. ^ "Under the Influence (feat. Jordan Shaw) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  51. ^ "Save Me (feat. Kiddo AI) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  52. ^ "I Do (feat. Slush Puppy) - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  53. ^ "Wanderlust - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  54. ^ "Here for You - Single by Lost Kings on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  55. ^ Tost, Miguel (2014-07-16). "Disclosure - Latch (Lost Kings Remix) [Free Download]". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  56. ^ Mel (2015-01-28). "Imagine Dragons - I Bet My Life (Lost Kings Remix)". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  57. ^ Mel (2015-04-09). "Vance Joy - Wasted Time (Lost Kings Remix) [Free Download]". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  58. ^ Mel (2015-04-29). "Coasts - Modern Love (Lost Kings Remix)". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  59. ^ Mel (2015-05-27). "Gorgon City - Coming Home (Lost Kings Remix) [Free Download]". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  60. ^ Mel (2015-07-02). "Mako Feat. Madison Beer - I Wont Let You Walk Away (Lost Kings Remix)". Your EDM. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  61. ^ Cameron, John (2016-01-06). "Treat Yourself To Lost Kings' "Me Myself & I" Remix". We Got This Covered. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  62. ^ Wass, Mike (2019-10-13). "Club Queen: Katy Perry drops epic 'Small Talk' remix package". Idolator. Retrieved 2019-10-20.