Breathe Carolina
Emerging from the Denver electronic music scene in the late 2000s, Breathe Carolina carved out a distinctive niche by fusing aggressive post-hardcore energy with infectious synth-pop and dance music, becoming a prominent act in the electronic rock crossover wave. The project began in 2007 as the creative partnership of founding members David Schmitt and Kyle Even. Their early sound, characterized by Schmitt's clean and screamed vocals over Even's programming, quickly garnered attention online, leading to their debut studio album "It's Classy, Not Classic" in 2008 on Fearless Records, which served as their initial claim to fame.
The duo's momentum accelerated with their 2009 sophomore album "Hello Fascination", which refined their blend of electronica and rock. During this period, Breathe Carolina expanded into a full live band, with a best-known lineup that included Schmitt, Even, drummer Eric Armenta, keytarist Joshua Aragon, and DJ Luis Bonet. This configuration allowed them to deliver high-energy performances that translated their studio productions into dynamic live shows, solidifying their reputation on the Warped Tour circuit and within the alternative scene. Their commercial peak arrived with the 2011 album "Hell Is What You Make It", which spawned the platinum-certified hit single "Blackout", a track that achieved significant radio play and became a staple in their discography.
A significant transition occurred in 2013 when co-founder Kyle Even departed the group. That same year, Tommy Cooperman joined David Schmitt, reforming Breathe Carolina as a duo once more. This marked a deliberate shift in their musical direction, moving further into mainstream electronic dance music and away from their earlier post-hardcore influences. Their fourth album, 2014's "Savages", reflected this new path, featuring collaborations with artists like Karmin and KSHMR. After a five-year gap, they returned with "Dead: The Album" in 2019, continuing to explore contemporary EDM styles.
Throughout their evolution, Breathe Carolina maintained a consistent output of singles and remixes, collaborating with numerous electronic producers and vocalists. Composed of David Schmitt and Tommy Cooperman, the duo continues to produce music and perform, having successfully navigated the transition from their scene-specific roots to the broader landscape of electronic dance music while retaining a dedicated fanbase built over more than a decade.