Music Moments: Peloton Masters the Remix

The Peloton community loves a remix! Whether it’s a legendary artist or a pop music icon, Peloton has taken the remixed track to new heights. From the bike to the mat, let’s explore how Peloton has partnered with an electric group of DJs from Dillon Francis, to Big Boi, Chromeo and our very own DJ John Michael Di Spirito to put a new spin on both classic tracks to new drops, all released on the Peloton platform first.

Let’s rewind, what exactly is a remix?

“A remix is a reinterpretation of an Artist's song to make it accessible to a new environment and demographic, '' says DJ John Michael Di Spirito, Peloton’s Producer of Music Programming and a veteran DJ. “As a DJ there are times when songs come out and it makes you think,  if there was another version of it, the song would be perfect for the dance floor or other moments. A remix allows you to do that.“

A Peloton First: The Elvis Remixes 

As a special treat to welcome in the New Year, Peloton  teamed up with acclaimed DJs Dillon Francis, Outkast’s Big Boi and electro-funk duo Chromeo to release remixes of three iconic Elvis Presley hits. Dillon Francis remixed “Do the Vega” with Chromeo taking on “Clean Up Your Own Backyard” and Big Boi putting his spin on “Catchin’ On Fast.” Peloton enjoyed exclusive access to the three tracks, marking the first time that any artist created music just for Peloton classes. These tracks, along with remixes from other popular artists, premiered in the Peloton App in the “Ultimate Remix” collection, which featured yoga, strength, core and outdoor running classes with Peloton instructors Denis Morton, Ben Alldis, Emma Lovewell and Matty Maggiacomo.  The three remixes were later picked up for broad commercial release by Sony Music. 

But, we didn’t stop there, this summer Peloton joined forces with a pop music legend to deliver another first.

DJ John Michael Puts a New Spin on Pop Icon Debbie Gibson 

Remixes aren’t just for the classics. A new track can also be remixed to “allow for a different expression of the song,'' says Di Spirito. He adds of the process: “There is a freedom to remixing a new track because there aren’t preconceived notions or nostalgia around it.” 

During a recent Debbie Gibson Live DJ Ride where Gibson herself was on the leaderboard,  Emma Lovewell premiered an exclusive DJ John Michael remix of Gibson’s new single “One Step Closer.” Di Spirito collaborated with famed DJ Skribble on the new track. This is the first time Peloton has premiered an exclusive remix of a new single within a class. “One Step Closer” is the opening track from the pop singer’s newest album The Body Remembers, Gibson’s first LP of original music in 20 years. A music prodigy, Gibson burst on the Billboard Pop Charts at the tender age of 16 with the self-penned “Only In My Dreams.” The “Original Pop Princess” quickly became the youngest artist ever to write, produce and perform a Number 1 hit song, “Foolish Beat,” and entered the Guinness Book of World Records. Gibson has sold more than 16 million albums worldwide.

“Being a really big fan of Debbie, I followed her career so closely, '' shares Di Spirito. “As an artist she is incredibly engaged, it was such a collaborative project.'' 

One element that Di Spirito is particularly proud of is flipping the closing part of the song  to the intro of the remixed track. “When I examined the song there was a lyric which says: I am one step closer to love and trust and being enough. That one line, I felt like it was a great intro. Our instructors are always looking to inspire our Members,  which is often fueled by the music. You want to create this moment when the music pushes you and gives you that energy when  you think the tank is empty.” The end result was a motivating and inspiring  track that the Artist loved. The Debbie Gibson Live DJ ride was the perfect vehicle to premiere the remix according to Di Spirito: “There is genuine music fandom happening in Peloton classes.” 

All of Peloton’s exclusive remix classes currently live on-demand on the Peloton platform with Gibson’s remixed track to also live on Spotify in the coming weeks. Keep an eye (or ear!) out for more remix news and dynamic class experiences. And, don’t forget to check out Peloton’s EDM and House music classes if you want to experience and expose yourself to new remixes at onepeloton.com