The Galantis Reboot - an Update
Introduction
I would first like to say this to both the Galantis fans and Christian, Galantis himself. I love your music. I love your sets so much and every time is an extension of the first time I saw you. The first time I saw Galantis I said to my girlfriend - I have to leave the structure because I'm going to pass out. Drinking water or chewing gum was not going to save me. I had never seen or heard anything like it in my life. I had never seen people so happy before.
Yes, I have been to every artist set you can name right now. It is a different energy and I love all of these artist's music and sets: Odesza, GRiZ, Slander, Zedd, Swedish House Mafia, Porter Robinson, Dom Dolla, Zeds Dead, Griztronics, Subtronics, Illenium or a Above & Beyond set. Ironically, Illenium (Nick) for years would always play 'Gold Dust' by Galantis in his sets. Galantis is like the Disneyland of EDM. You have to appreciate or understand what a set is like at each of these artists listed to get it. My adventure in EDM has been to see every artist - this has been my odyssey down the rave rabbit hole. Part of it is out of a desire to learn how they produce and how happy all the diversity of sound makes me.
I understand that many or most cannot relate to any of what I just wrote nor care. So by all means that is ok. This is a blog. It is specific and it is about sharing observations and opinions.
I have written on this topic because of my love for this edm group. I simply feel that some things in life that brought so much joy and happiness to millions in the prior format (being the most famous 2 person duo in electronic dance music, I'm sorry it is not Daft Punk) that it requires some kind of explanation for nothing more than closure for Galantis fans.
Let Us Begin
We now have the indirect confirmation that Linus Eklow is no longer the second member of Galantis. He either quit in 2020 or was fired. We may never know the answer to this question. Nonetheless, you cannot erase Linus Eklow from the Galantis story. Perhaps he made demands that were nonnegotiable. We do not know and it is a shane we have to speculate in an effort to find closure. Yes I know, how dramatic, but with everything going on in the World today I believe it is fine to find significance in something that afforded so much happiness to so many albeit in a highly formulaic and packaged product.
Therefore, it is not right how the breakup was handled and if they will not speak to it then I will with this update.
I extended an invitation to Galantis and Christian to grant me an interview but they declined. They know who I am. An interview should have been done, and still can be with a true fan of Galantis. Not an edm publication or some industry magazine that no fans will ever see or read.
I am not looking for the details on the drama - I know the entire breakup is under a tight non-disclosure, but that does not change that they said nothing. "A new era or chapter" does not work for Seafox nation if you ask around at festivals or before a Galantis set. I can say that on behalf of Seafox Nation. Just look at the comments on every Instagram post; people are not pleased with how this was handled and will not let it go until a level of respect to both the fans and Linus is bestowed or delivered. Perhaps, Linus is the "bad guy" who knows but it is still without even a word.
With that, I will share my piece on the update to this "mystery" as I have called it.
June 14, 2023 Instagram Post
As of the date of this update, the weargalantis.com website has undergone a complete update. The About section has officially removed Linus now from the "project" as it is now referenced by Christian Karlsson and the Galantis team. The "History" of Galantis does not acknowledge Linus' producing and writing contributions to all their hits. It states that Christian started the project "at the helm" in 2009 and officially debuted it at Coachella in 2014.
Back on June 14, 2023, they wiped all the historical posts from Instagram and shared that a new era or chapter is about to be announced. They made a post with a female wearing a chrome Seafox helmet sitting next to Christian. This basically insinuated that this was the new person joining Galantis and they would reveal who it is"soon"; the point being that the group would continue as a duo.
Many like myself thought this person would be revealed at the Brooklyn Mirage show on July 2, 2023. There was no bang bang reveal. No new person was revealed at the show and the mystery they created continued on.
One other note regarding the Instagram account. Recently, they reposted archived shots of Christian going back to December 10, 2016. In essence, completing the rebranding. However, I will note that indeed there are some shots with Linus in them but that does not mean anything.
Next, right after the June 14th announcement on Instagram, they updated their Spotify biography section to now reads: "Galantis is the dance project of Christian Karlsson. Of course, all of Linus' writing and producing credits still persist on the tracks except for 'The Aviary' Album which for some reason the credits will not load.
The point here is that Christian has now branded Galantis asa true entity once and for all. He owns it and can put anyone he wants in Galantis including 5 or 10 years from now when decides to move on. He can bring on a 2nd person and then after so many years he can replace himself with someone. Galantis will live on for the next generation. Perhaps even his children may someday take the reins of Galantis.
Next. Do I think this new Seafox chrome helmet wearing girl is merely an actor as part of their promotion machine? It would seem to be, yes. If she was an actual producer DJ then she would have been revealed at either EDC Las Vegas or at The Brooklyn Mirage show. However, I do think that a 2nd person will join Christian someday. He knows that the magic of a Galantis performance was the duo. 2 people hitting the drums and hats is a true vibe. There was nothing like it in EDM when you saw the opening sequence to a Galantis set. They were the Disneyland of EDM as I affectionately called them.
Regarding Linus "Style of Eye" Eklöw
There are so many questions at this point. The last time they performed together was at Exchange L.A. on February 29, 2020. I was there.
Aside from clearly settling with Christian and the machine that is Galantis, Linus has said nothing. Perhaps he will emerge with a new name and will wear a mask! Wouldn't that be sad. We definitely hope he says something soon about what he has been working on or that he is happy and healthy, if nothing else.
Now let's go deeper.
In trying to dissect the dynamics of this relationship and what truly was going on behind the scenes we will bring attention to a few observations for the keen eye to detail.
For instance, after every show and festival, they would spray a bottle of champagne outside the venue. Now if you were watching closely, you could tell that Linus was not amused and thought it was stupid but he played along and did it. Christian on the other hand seemed to love it but after 50 of these you could tell it was clearly forced. Nonetheless, their sets were at that very top of the game in EDM.
Now Linus seemed quite shy because he never spoke but he was definitely stressed out from their schedule. He was definitely using his jewel a lot. He would always running the decks and their sets are so intense. They are using the 3rd CDJ and running 3 CDJ's even if it is just for a loop is intense. It did not appear that their entire set was written in the DAW and then chopped up for easy mixing. I am sure some of it was but it appeared that most of it was one mix into the next with very few tracks more than 60 seconds.
Now, Linus definitely was always overheating because Christian's rule that they always had to wear the Galantis logo jacket at all times; even when it was 103 degrees at Encore Beach Club in July 2019. I couldn't believe that. That was crazy. Guys take the jackets off it will be ok.
Perhaps Linus was like Avicii, he only wanted to be in the studio making music and had lots of anxiety about performing. I don't know but seems possible.
So, what is my point. My point is Linus was definitely stressed out and their touring schedule was definitely on par with many of the acts that are doing over 150 shows a year if not over 200. They were always on the road at airports and hotels plus finishing tracks even if they have a team of ghost producers working like all of the top producer's do. Everyone does at this level of success.
Duos in EDM bring a different energy. Galantis was like duo royalty alongside those of Louis the Child, Dmitri Vegas & Like Mike, Zedds Dead, and Slander.
I hope Linus is happy and someday will emerge with his new debut album and we see him on lineups. He was so nice every time I met him and miss seeing him up there.
On a totally different topic, it is very strange that the unofficial remix of Runaway by Subtronics was never given any shoutouts or love by Christian. It means it is an authorized released, but not official or it would have been listed as a new single on Galantis' Spotify. I don't have any reason to speculate why they excluded it, but when Jesse debuted it at HARD Summer in July 2022 during his back-to-back with Zedds Dead it was a Top 3 Highlight of the entire 3 day festival. Remixing 'Runaway' is nearly a rite of passage when you have "arrived"; it most certainly one of the top tracks that is played just like 'Sandstorm' by Darude, 'Children' by Robert Miles, 'Fine Day' by ATB, 'Numb' by Linkin Park, and 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes.
Conclusion
It would be nice to learn what the "collaborative project" means as Galantis is newly defined or referenced. Perhaps this means all of their tracks are always collaborations. Sure, ok. However, if it means they will have a new rotating "guest" 2nd person in the group then why not tell us that. Let us know that Linus is ok and that you guys just simply decided to go your separate ways during the pandemic. But ghosting the fans with this was not cool and not the way to handle it with us.
You know how to reach me Galantis team. I am the one to get the interview with Christian whether it is for my podcast or to share as a written transcript. We can break the interview up into 2 meetings and I am willing to get on a plane. Nothing but love. You, your music, and performances are an inspiration for me.
Cheers,
DJ