June 13, 2025 |
It would surprise you that the Helliker-Hales brothers, Louis and Ben (nicknamed Beans), or as they’re more commonly known, Chaos In The CBD, have only just dropped their debut album. Amassing over 100 million streams worldwide, helming Krankbrother’s annual street party, which sees thousands of partygoers throng the streets of Shoreditch and bagging spots on the lineups of Glastonbury, Love International and Ibiza’s Circoloco isn’t exactly child’s play. Their 2015 EP, Midnight In Peckham, is highly regarded among lovers of deep house, and their innovative production, wherein jazzy, emotive cuts are layered over a percussive, 4/4 beat, has carved out a stable space for the duo in an electronic music landscape that’s not the easiest to dominate. So, when the brothers announced they would be dropping their first LP, A Deeper Life, in May, it was surprising but welcome, kind of like finding £20 on the floor.
That glee sustains when you give it a listen. Released via the pair’s imprint In Dust We Trust, the tracklist boasts a range of styles influenced by years in the biz. Inspired by their home country of New Zealand and its lush, coast-lined landscapes, the work explores the nostalgia the artists have developed since moving to London over a decade ago. From the twinkling opener Down By The Cove to Maintaining My Peace, a smooth mashup of heritage house music with the incisive lyrics of London-born and raised MC Novelist, A Deeper Life is a testament to the duo’s sonic prowess. With a stacked calendar of club nights and festivals in Italy, Croatia, Germany and more approaching, we managed to have a quick chat with Louis about the most chaotic thing he’s ever done, what he’s learned since producing A Deeper Life and his favourite thing about working with his brother.
1. Describe your sound in three words.
Tranquil, balanced, meditative.
2. So, Chaos In The CBD, what’s the most chaotic thing you’ve ever done?
Playing the game “Who Can Stay Up the Longest.”
3. If you could both save one track from A Deeper Life from a burning building, which one would you both choose and why?
None of them, I’ll just purchase a new copy of the record. My life is too precious to be running into burning buildings.
4. What’s one thing you learned about yourselves as producers since producing A Deeper Life?
Patience.
5. Midnight in Peckham is described as your coming of age – it’s midnight in Peckham, where are you going?
I’m probably in my bedroom building my lil Legos.
6. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever seen behind the decks?
Someone proposing to their lil sweetie pie while we were playing. That’s a pretty crazy thing to do.
7. If you could curate your own festival line-up, aside from yourselves, who are you picking as your top three headliners?
James Brown, The Isley Brothers, Max B.
8. What’s one track that always gets people dancing?
Cheek – Venus (Sunshine People) (DJ Gregory Remix).
9. What’s your favourite thing about working with your brother?
Having your best friend every step of the journey. You are never lonely when you have each other. I couldn’t do this without Beans.
10. What’s one city you can’t wait to play A Deeper Life in?
Auckland.
Photography courtesy of Chaos In The CBD.
