Third Party brought their wild enthusiasm to Philips space during the Nexus Lounge, Miami edition, chatting about what inspires their tracks and their journey into music-making. And, of course, they jumped at the opportunity to answer in our Take series!
Third-Party is a dynamic DJ duo from Essex, London, composed of Jonnie Macaire and Harry Bass. Their signature sound in the progressive house has gained them recognition, especially with hits like “Everyday Of My Life” and their collaboration “Lions in the Wild” alongside Dutch sensation Martin Garrix.
Having come together around 2010, Jonnie Macaire and Harry Bass crossed paths in school. Their shared passion for music production led them to establish the group. They delved deeper into their musical journey by enrolling in a music technical college for a year, financing their studies through part-time gigs.
As they were getting started, Third Party’s track “Release” grabbed the spotlight and caught the ear of Steve Angello from Swedish House Mafia.
Impressed by their talent, he signed them to his Size Records label, propelling their career forward. Before long, they found themselves on tour, supporting Swedish House Mafia. Since then, they’ve showcased their remixing skills, working on tracks for artists such as Tiësto, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sigma, and others.
Retreating from the hustle and bustle of city life, Jonnie Macaire and Harry Bass found solace in the English countryside, holing up in a cozy wooden lodge for a month. This break from social media and tech distractions marked their quest for that elusive creative spark. Their journey had been a whirlwind, with their debut album ‘HOPE’ and its follow-up ‘TOGETHER’ amassing over 70 million Spotify streams in just two hectic years.
In 2015, they took a bold step by launching Release Records, their very own label, in collaboration with Armada Music. The label’s first release was Third Party’s electrifying single “Alive.” Then, on May 27, 2016, they dropped the epic collaboration “Lions in the Wild” with Martin Garrix.
The ongoing collaboration between Martin Garrix and Third Party has reached a new peak with the release of “Carry You” this February 2024. The excitement around this song had been building since Garrix first debuted it during his Ultra Music Festival 2023 set, where it instantly captivated audiences and became a standout moment.
Third Party’s relationship with Martin Garrix has evolved remarkably over the years. The duo expressed their admiration, saying,
"He's wicked to work with. He's really good. His energy is contagious, especially for us, because we're quite slow in making music. I don't know if people know this, but for us, it's a perfect combination. We love working with him."
But more importantly, how does the connection between Jonnie Macaire and Harry Bass transpire as a duo? The relationship between Jonnie Macaire and Harry Bass is built on mutual understanding and shared goals. They acknowledge that, like any partnership, there are ups and downs, but staying aligned with common objectives is vital to their longevity.
"The fact that we always both have to be happy with a track for it to go out has meant we've always got the respect for one another that we take each other's views as high as possible."
To learn more about Third Party, including their favorite childhood toy, listen to our full interview below.
