Tale Of Us

Berlin-based Italian duo Tale of Us (Carmine Conte and Matteo Milleri) became known for their restrained yet highly emotive tech-house tracks and remixes, as well as their adventurous DJ sets, before venturing into modern classical and ambient music. After debuting in 2010, they quickly became one of the underground dance scene’s fastest-rising stars, scoring club hits with releases like 2011′s Dark Song or their 2013 remix of Mano le Tough’s “Changing Days.” They also became in-demand DJs, appearing at major clubs and festivals throughout the world and releasing their first mix CD, Renaissance: The Mix Collection, in 2013. Following well-received EPs for Minus and R&S, as well as the formation of their Afterlife imprint, Tale of Us made their long-awaited full-length debut with the exquisite ambient work Endless, released by Deutsche Grammophon in 2017. Carmine Conte was born in Toronto and Matteo Milleri was born in New York, but they both moved to Italy when they were very young. Initially based in Milan, they formed Tale of Us (inspired by the Supermayer song “Two of Us”) in 2008. They both decided to quit college and pursue music, and they relocated to Berlin in 2009. Holed up in a tiny apartment, the two constantly made music for several months, and their first release was the EP Upon a Time, released by Barraca Music in early 2010. However, it was their joyous remix of Thugfucker’s “Disco Gnome,” the initial release on Life and Death, that became their first club hit, and helped propel the early success of the fledgling label. Attracting the attention of Seth Troxler, Tale of Us released Dark Song on Visionquest in 2011. Further singles appeared on Life and Death, including collaborations with The/Das and Vaal, and Another Earth was issued by Richie Hawtin’s Minus label in 2013. That same year, they were voted number 2 in Resident Advisor’s annual Top DJs poll, and their well-received double-CD Renaissance: The Mix Collection was issued. Tale of Us kept busy with performances, including a residency at Ibiza club DC 10 and a constant stream of remixes for artists including Caribou, Gui Boratto, and Plastikman. Their original releases weren’t quite as common, but 2015 saw the release of North Star/Silent Space (on R&S) and Astral, a collaboration with Mind Against (on Life and Death). The duo founded the Afterlife label in 2016 (named after their residency at another Ibiza club, Space) and issued “Monument” (with Vaal) in 2017. Also that year, Tale of Us made the surprising move to classical institution Deutsche Grammophon for the release of their full-length debut. Endless, a piano-heavy ambient release, was the legendary label’s first full-length of original material by a club act. This was shortly followed by Endless Remixes, as well as the Fabric 97 mix CD. ~ Paul Simpson