The world was introduced to Rochester, N.Y.'s electronic dance music duo, Nights Like This, with the release of their debut remix of Jesus Culture artist Kristene DiMarco's "Be Still." In just 15 days, the unknowns suddenly saw 11,000 plays on their SoundCloud. But it was just the beginning.

Now, in 2016, the group made up of Ian MacLean and Petey Mac is experiencing growing momentum as their first original single, "Wide Awake," has had nearly 50,000 plays in three months. 

People are resonating with the club-friendly, high-quality production of Nights Like This, and the wave of favor is pushing this EDM outfit into a new year full of new songs, opportunities and plenty of promise. 

As second single, "Back to You" begins to take off, Petey Mac and Ian MacLean took some time to formally introduce themselves to the music world in 9 questions.

​To start off, who are you guys? Where are you from, and what are your secret identities?

Petey: I'm Peter Gabriel McGuire--my mom was a huge Genesis fan--but I go by Petey Mac. I'm from Rochester, N.Y. and just moved to Nashville doing social media and support with Lyft. 

Ian: I'm Ian Stewart MacLean, got the Scottish genes, and I commonly go by Ian or "Steeze." I'm also from Rochester and I am studying business at Roberts Wesleyan College by day and producing music by night. I couldn't do life or music without my family they mean the world to me.

In brief, give us your musical background and how you got into producing EDM.

Petey: I've always been musical since I was young, and was especially talented at the recorder in second grade. I could play an amazing cover of "Hot Crossed Buns" (laughs). In high school, a good friend introduced me to (the music production computer program) Reason, and I became obsessed with making my own music. I never cared for EDM until my freshman year of college when "Levels" by Avicii first came out. My roommate was also a DJ and played that tune nonstop until I became hooked. 

Ian: My dad played guitar for me growing up and let me watch him write songs so I was exposed to that life from an early age. I didn't truly dive deep into music until Guitar Hero 2 came out and I became obsessed with the songs on it. I got pretty big into EDM when Ellie Goulding released her song, "Lights," back in 2011. Since then I dove into DJ'ing and producing.

You made your debut on Soundcloud--and really, to music in general--with your remix of the Kristene DiMarco song, "Be Still." Talk about why you decided to remix that particular song, and what that whole experience did for you.

Petey: I was really introduced to her music this summer when I landed an amazing internship with Capitol CMG. The album blew me away, but one song in particular, "Be Still," really stuck out. We sort of had this vision that the song could take on a tropical house rendition. 

Ian: While Pete was in Nashville, I was leading worship in Rochester and one of my favorite worship leaders to cover was Kristene. She writes beautiful worship songs and we thought it would be such an appropriate first remix since we are both so heavily influenced by her music. 

What's the EDM scene like in upstate New York? 

Ian: It's not as booming of a scene compared to NYC, but there's still a good amount of people who will come out and support DJs. We've had the pleasure of playing multiple youth retreats and events for our church, The Father's House, as well as perform in a few of the nightclubs downtown. We're making it our goal to play some big shows this summer.

You've come out with a few songs now via your SoundCloud, and it looks like you're experiencing a good amount of momentum. What are some of the reactions you're getting?

Petey: It's been amazing to see the positive support we've received from fans--not just here in the U.S.--but all around the world. We keep hearing responses about how our music is a breath of fresh air and unique. At the end of the day, our goal is to give people an experience they couldn't find anywhere else, and it's such a blessing to share our music with them. 

What's been the best surprise since you all started doing this?

Ian: Next to "Wide Awake" hitting over 45,000 plays, I'd say it's the amount of support and collaboration our own friends have invested in our project. People keep wanting to get involved and so we're like, OK!. 

Nights Like This: What's the story behind that name?

Petey: My buddy Dillon and I were driving home one night this summer and talking about how much fun we had hanging with our friends. Towards the end of the drive he was like, "You know what, Pete? I love nights like this." I agreed, then a lightbulb went off. It NEEDED to be our name. So, thanks Dills for that one.

Name some of your musical influences, inside and outside of Christian music.

Petey: The Killers, Hillsong UNITED, Bethel Music, Kari Jobe, Skrillex, Porter Robinson.

Ian: Zedd is my biggest influence outside of Christian music. Within Christian music the Torwalts are huge for me, as well as Capital Kings and TobyMac.

What do you guys dream about? What has God shown you guys as far as your calling as a band, as best you see it?

Ian: We believe our calling is to connect with people both inside and outside the Christian realm. We want to be a light and create an experience for anyone that inspires and connects with them, wherever they are in life. We understand that we're just a medium for God to do an incredible work with this music. 

What's next for you guys? An album? EP? Touring? 

Petey: We're currently working on a EP due out by early summer. We've been collaborating with some talented folks both here in Nashville and in N.Y. Collaboration is huge for us; we love working with other artists. We're also hoping to play some Christian festivals this summer!