What do you get when you mix an internationally renowned DJ and a classically trained violinist? An ultra glamorous mash-up perfect for any dance party.
DJ Mia Moretti, mixer for fashion houses like Rebecca Minkoff, and violinist Caitlin Moe have expanded their creative collaboration, launching “The Dolls.” It’s their group, an outlet to debut original music. The creative duo has played for the music industry’s biggest names, ranging from Madonna to Katy Perry and Janet Jackson. Now the two are bringing the summer of 1993 back to life with their debut single, “Summer of ’93.” The track blends the grunge of the ‘90s with some California sun by way of Caitlin Moe’s breezy sound. Billboard caught up with Mia, chatted about the new colorful groove, and got the exclusive first listen to the Cory Enemy Remix.
What inspired this summer track? Is there a theme?
It’s about nostalgia and lost love. The single, “Summer of ’93,” was inspired by just that, a love that was gone and the memory of what it once was. It’s more of a song about falling out of love than it is a love song. It’s also about the responsibility that comes along with falling out of love, then of course that sadness, regret and nostalgia that follows. It’s an ode to the ‘90s, and to bygone summers.
You’ve done a pretty extensive remix EP, do you have a favorite?
The remix EP includes some of our favorite DJs: Eli Escobar, Cory Enemy, Etc! Etc!, Samuel, Jillionaire and Richie Beretta. They all bring a different life and story to the song, from reggae to future bass. It was really fascinating for us to see how the remixes changed the song. It makes you think of how two people in the same relationship probably have completely different ideas of what the relationship actually is.
The Cory Enemy remix was especially important because he co-produced the track with us, and we’ve known him as DJ for so long, we wanted to hear his take on the song, in the studio we knew something was brewing in his head that he wasn’t letting out, and his remix really showcases who he is as an artist.
Who were your go-to singers? Planning on any future collaborations?
Caitlin Moe is the vocalist on the single, which made sense for this song because we wrote the track together while on tour over the last year. We don’t necessarily have go-to singers. We started as a DJ & violin duo, and that has inspired a lot of instrumental tracks for our forthcoming album. We are looking more to do collaborations with other musicians and instrumentalists, like pianist Chilly Gonzalez or Rebirth Brass Band from New Orleans for example.
What artist do you hope will jam to the record?
Jacques Renault, Eli Escobar, Midnight Magic, Holy Ghost!, Flight Facilities, Bag Raiders, Capital Cities, and it would also be amazing to have a turntablist, like Cut Chemist funk with it. We’ve actually sent him the parts, so he could incorporate pieces of it in his live show.