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New York, United States · 2011–present

A Great Big World

A Great Big World is a musical duo from New York, formed by the talented Ian Axel and Chad King. Their sound is characterized by a blend of upbeat pop and emotive melodies, where vocal harmonies play a fundamental role. One of their most notable tracks, This Is the New Year, not only gave them visibility but also resonated in popular culture when it was performed in an episode of Glee, reaching the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 in May 2013. However, their biggest success came with Say Something, a collaboration with Christina Aguilera that became a global phenomenon.

The story of A Great Big World begins at New York University, where Ian and Chad met while studying music. Ian, with a captivating voice, convinced Chad to work together on songwriting. This creative bond grew stronger as they shared ideas and experiences, leading them to explore their music together. Before officially becoming a duo, Ian released an independent album in 2010, which included songs co-written by Chad. This album drew attention and allowed them to leave their day jobs to fully dedicate themselves to music.

1 Albums

1 album|s · 2014

Full discography

Details, awards, members and more

More about A Great Big World

Biography

In 2012, the duo officially adopted the name A Great Big World and released a six-track EP, funded through Kickstarter. This project marked a new beginning and allowed them to explore a more cohesive and personal sound. In 2013, their music began gaining momentum, with This Is the New Year being featured in various TV shows and events, opening doors to a national tour and sharing the stage with artists like Ingrid Michaelson and Five for Fighting.

The big moment arrived when Say Something was re-recorded with the participation of Christina Aguilera, catapulting A Great Big World to the top of the charts. The song was performed live on The Voice and quickly became a hit, selling 189,000 copies in its first week. Their debut album, Is There Anybody Out There?, was released in January 2014, solidifying their place in the music scene. In 2015, they released their second album, When the Morning Comes, which includes the single Hold Each Other, showcasing their evolution and commitment to creating music that connects with their audience.

Details

Born
1 Jan 2012
Country
🇺🇸 United States
Genre
Indie pop

Awards and honors

  • Grammy

Members

· actual
Chad Vaccarino
· actual
Ian Axel

Influences

Record labels

Epic