Isle of Wight electronic duo HigherVibes are celebrating. Best friends Neil McCallum and Luis Palomo have scored a record deal with Norway-based One Shot Records.

Proving Island life is no barrier to success when it comes to making beautiful music, they have been by working at home, in studios in their bedrooms.

The pair have been collaborating since 2018, after meeting at Platform One Music College in Newport.

When guitarist Neil played a track by Martin Garrix, Luis added the piano chords, proving this was a partnership meant to last. Encouraged by the Platform One team to keep working together, they haven’t looked back.

As HigherVibes, Neil and Luis have already gained a huge following on Soundcloud - to the tune of 12,000 streams within weeks. They have also been working with Dutch electronic music label Spinnin’ Records - winning them recognition among top producers.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Combining their British and Spanish heritage to unique advantage, the 21-year-olds have big ambitions.

“It has been a dream come true for the both of us. We have the opportunity to further our careers and follow in the footsteps of our idols,” they told the County Press.

They cite Swedish DJ, producer, musician, and songwriter Tim Bergling - aka Avicii - among those idols. The Wake Me Up and We Can Be Lonely Together hitmaker died in 2018, but his influence lives on for Neil and Luis.

Meanwhile, the ambitious pair are not letting Covid-19 get in the way of their plans.

During lockdown, their families have been inspiring them - helping them stay calm and focussed. And a two-hour daily video call meant the pair were able to continue to collaborate - perfect for a motivational top-up.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The Platform One team is backing them all the way too.

David Pontin said: “We are so proud of Neil and Luis. They have been working relentlessly to produce new music. The fact that a record company has recognised this is fantastic.

“A label has reached out to two talented producers that create music in their own home studios.

“This shows what can be achieved when you are based on the Isle of Wight, producing music to a world wide audience. This is the new industry.”

Sitting side-by-side on HigherVibes’s wish list are world domination and something a little closer to home.

They said: “We want to play Isle of Wight Festival’s Main Stage- and we want to tour the world! We also want to shine a light on the younger generation of Island DJs. Not all young people are wasting their time. We are the next generation!”

Watch out for Neil, Luis! HigherVibes’s album "We Are The Future” is out soon.