In 2007, a dream about calming down a woman named Carolina became the unlikely foundation for a multi-platinum electronic music career. David Schmitt, born the 26th of March 1988, and Kyle Even, born the 21st of September 1985, were not yet the stars of the Denver music scene. They were teenagers in Colorado, playing in local bands like Rivendale and As the Flood Waters Rose. Their paths crossed when Schmitt's band opened for Even's group at Grandpa's Music Box in Thornton. After their respective bands dissolved for college, Schmitt began recording songs on GarageBand, a free music creation software. He invited Even to collaborate, and the duo formed Breathe Carolina. They created a MySpace profile that garnered over 10,000 plays in 2008 and eventually accumulated over 30 million plays by 2009. Even quit his job as a photographer to tour full-time, marking the transition from hobbyists to professionals. Their first EP, Gossip, was released via iTunes on the 26th of November 2007, setting the stage for a career that would blend electronic production with rock sensibilities.
The Platinum Breakout
The song Blackout changed everything for Breathe Carolina. Released as the lead single from their third album Hell Is What You Make It on the 14th of June 2011, the track became a commercial phenomenon. It peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum by the RIAA, a rare achievement for a band rooted in the post-hardcore scene. The music video, shot in Los Angeles on July 1 and 2, was released on YouTube on September 20, further amplifying their reach. The duo performed Blackout on Jimmy Kimmel Live on the 16th of June 2011, bringing their sound to a national television audience. This success allowed them to sign with Columbia Records in December 2011, a major label deal that followed their time with Fearless Records. The album itself peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200, and the group participated in the Scream It Like You Mean It 2011 tour. The song's success also led to a remix EP, Blackout: The Remixes, released on the 27th of September 2011. This era marked a shift from their earlier emo-pop roots to a more dance-oriented sound, incorporating trance and dubstep elements that would define their future direction.Evolution And Lineup Shifts
The band's identity evolved significantly as they navigated the changing music landscape. In 2013, founding member Kyle Even departed the group due to new responsibilities as a father, a decision that marked a turning point in their history. Tommy Cooperman joined as an official member that same year, transforming the duo into a four-piece band. The album Savages, released on the 15th of April 2014, reflected this new chapter, described by Schmitt as being about being a free spirit. The album topped the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart and peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200. The band toured with Jonny Craig, Mod Sun, and Ghost Town, and released singles like Sellouts featuring Danny Worsnop and Bang It Out featuring Amy Renee Noonan. The live lineup expanded to include keytarist Joshua Aragon and DJ Luis Bonet, creating a dynamic stage presence. However, the lineup continued to shift, with Bonet leaving in 2015 and Armenta in 2017, eventually returning to a duo format focusing on EDM. This period also saw the release of several EPs, including Sleepless and Coma, which explored their emo roots while experimenting with new sounds.