Late Night Alumni is an American electronic music group known for blending house, downtempo, and chill-out styles. The group consists of Becky Jean Williams (vocals), Ryan Raddon (also known as Kaskade, producer), Finn Bjarnson (producer), and John Hancock (producer). Formed in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2003, Late Night Alumni has developed a distinctive sound characterized by soft trance-like vocals over danceable beats.
Formation and Early Work
The group\’s inception traces back to 2003 when Finn Bjarnson discovered Becky Jean Williams\’ vocals on a local Christmas CD he produced. Impressed by her voice, Finn invited her to collaborate, leading to the creation of the track “Empty Streets.” Recognizing the need for additional production expertise, they enlisted John Hancock, and later, Ryan Raddon (Kaskade) joined, completing the quartet. Their debut album, “Empty Streets,” was released in September 2005. Despite initial challenges with their record label, the album gained underground acclaim, with the title track achieving top ten radio play in the UK and US, and reaching number one in Spain.
Subsequent Albums and Evolution
Following their debut, Late Night Alumni continued to evolve their sound:
- “Of Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Etc.” (2009): Released digitally in November 2009, this album featured singles like “You Can Be The One,” which was included in the film “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”
- “Haunted” (2011): This album delved into themes of nostalgia and change, with tracks like “It’s Not Happening” and “Main Street.”
- “The Beat Becomes A Sound” (2013): Released in January 2013, this album continued their exploration of electronic and organic elements.
- “Eclipse” (2015): Their fifth studio album, released in June 2015, incorporated electro-house and trance elements.
- “Silver” (2019): Their latest project, released in 2019, showcases their continued growth and experimentation within the electronic music scene.
Live Performances and Collaborations
Late Night Alumni has actively engaged with audiences through live performances, including appearances at major festivals like Electric Zoo and Paradiso Festival. They have also co-headlined tours with artists such as Myon & Shane 54. A notable collaboration includes their work with Kaskade, especially during the “Atmosphere” Tour, where they opened for him at venues like New York’s Barclays Center and Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.
Recent Activities
In recent years, Late Night Alumni has continued to innovate, releasing acoustic versions of their songs in the album \”echos,\” reflecting their versatility and commitment to their craft. They remain active in the electronic music scene, consistently delivering music that resonates with both long-time fans and new listeners.