The Presets: The Life Story Behind the Dance Stars

The Presets are a band that makes dance music with a dark, driving energy, and they have become one of Australia’s most important electronic groups. They are a duo, made up of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, two musicians from Sydney who met at university and who created a sound that is both electronic and rock, both danceable and intense. Their most famous album, Apocalypso, became a classic of Australian dance music, and their songs My People, This Boy’s in Love, and Talk Like That are still played at parties, on the radio, and in clubs today.

The band was formed in Sydney in 2003, and they started by playing in clubs, making remixes, and building a following in Australia’s electronic music scene. They were not a traditional rock band. They were a duo with synthesisers, drum machines, and a live energy that made their shows feel like a party. Julian Hamilton sang with a high, urgent voice, and Kim Moyes played keyboards and drums with a precision that gave the band its driving beat. Together, they created a sound that was both modern and timeless, both electronic and human.

What makes The Presets different from many other electronic bands is that they are a real live act, not just producers with a laptop. They play live, they sing live, and they perform with an intensity that makes their shows unforgettable. They have played at festivals around the world, including Coachella, Glastonbury, and Splendour in the Grass, and they have built a loyal following of fans who love their music for its energy and its honesty. They are a band that makes people dance, and that is a wonderful thing.

Their story is also a story about Sydney, about a city with a strong electronic music scene, and about a duo that carried that scene forward into the world. The Presets took the sound of 1980s synth-pop and 1990s rave culture and made it fresh for a new generation, and they did it with a talent and a passion that is still felt in their music today. This is the story of how The Presets became one of Australia’s most loved dance bands, and how their music continues to matter today.

Sydney University, Julian Hamilton, and Kim Moyes

The Presets began in Sydney in 2003, when Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes met while studying music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Julian Hamilton was born in Sydney in 1976, and he grew up listening to pop music, learning to play piano, and developing a love of singing and songwriting. He had a high, expressive voice, and a talent for writing melodies that were both catchy and emotional. He became the singer and the main songwriter of the band, and his voice would become one of the most recognisable in Australian dance music.

Kim Moyes was born in Sydney in 1976, and he grew up listening to electronic music, learning to play drums and keyboards, and developing a love of beats and rhythms. He was a talented musician and producer, with a gift for creating sounds that were both driving and melodic. He became the other half of The Presets, playing keyboards, drums, and synthesisers, and bringing a precision and a power to the band’s sound that made it stand out from other electronic groups. Together, Julian and Kim were a perfect pair, with complementary talents that fitted together beautifully.

The two men met at university, and they discovered that they shared a love of music that was both electronic and pop, both danceable and thoughtful. They decided to work together, and they began writing songs in a small studio, combining Julian’s melodies and voice with Kim’s beats and electronic sounds. It was a slow process, because they were both busy with their studies and with other projects, and they wanted to get the music right before they released it. They worked for several years on their first songs, and they took their time to create a sound that was truly their own.

Sydney in the early 2000s was a city with a strong electronic music scene, with clubs, DJs, and producers making innovative dance music. The Presets made the most of it, playing in clubs, building a following, and learning their craft on stage. Playing in a club is a hard school for a band, because the audience is there to dance, and if the music does not make them move, they will leave the floor. The Presets learned to make music that made people dance, and they learned to do it with a warmth and a melody that made their songs stand out from other dance music.

Beams, Remixes, and Building a Name in Clubs

The Presets released their first album, Beams, in 2005, and it was a modest success in Australia and overseas. The album showed a young duo finding its sound, with a mix of synth-pop, indie rock, and dance music, and it included songs that became favourites with their early fans. It did not make them world stars overnight, but it proved that they could write songs, record them well, and sell records. For a young duo from Sydney, that was an important step, and it gave them the confidence to keep going.

The album included songs like Are You the One? and Down Down Down, which showed Julian Hamilton’s talent for writing catchy, melodic pop songs with electronic beats. The songs were dark, driving, and full of energy, and they captured the feeling of a night out dancing in a Sydney club. The album was praised by critics as a promising debut, and it helped The Presets get noticed by record companies and by fans around the world. It was a solid start, and it set up the duo for the success that was coming.

The Presets also became known for their remixes, reworking songs by other artists and giving them a new, dance-focused sound. Remixing is a skill that requires both technical ability and musical taste, and Julian and Kim were good at it. They remixed songs for bands like Kings of Leon, Sarah Blasko, and others, and their remixes were played in clubs and on the radio. That work helped them build a reputation in the electronic music world, and it introduced their sound to a wider audience who might not have heard their original songs.

By the mid-2000s, The Presets were a well-known duo in Australia, with a loyal following and a growing reputation overseas. They had released one album, they had toured the country, and they had built a strong live show. They were ready for the next step, and that step would be an album that would make them one of the biggest dance bands in the country. They had done the hard work, and now they were about to reap the reward.

Apocalypso and a Dance Album for the Ages

In 2008, The Presets released the album Apocalypso, and it became one of the most loved dance albums in Australian music history. The album included the songs My People, This Boy’s in Love, Talk Like That, and Yippiyo-Ay, which became hits in Australia and around the world, and it was praised by critics as a perfect dance record. My People was the biggest hit, with a driving beat and a chorus that made people want to dance, and it became a favourite at parties, at festivals, and on the radio. The album sold in large numbers, it won several ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year, and it made The Presets famous around the world.

Apocalypso was a perfect album for its time. It had catchy pop songs, it had dark electronic sounds, and it had a production that was both polished and powerful. Julian Hamilton’s voice was high and urgent, Kim Moyes’s beats were driving and danceable, and the songs were full of energy and light. The album sounded like a night out, like a party, like a dream you do not want to wake up from, and that feeling is why people loved it. It was music that made you feel good, and it did it without being simple or boring.

The success of Apocalypso meant that The Presets were suddenly famous, and they toured the world, playing to large crowds at festivals like Coachella and Glastonbury, and appearing on television shows in Australia, Europe, and America. They were welcomed as stars, and they were praised for their energetic live shows, with Julian singing live and Kim playing keyboards and drums with a power that made the crowd dance. For a duo that had started in a Sydney university, it was a dream come true, and it seemed like they would be famous for many years to come.

Apocalypso remains the album that defines The Presets, and it is still loved by fans today. Its songs are full of joy, and they capture a moment in time when two musicians from Sydney became dance stars. It was a brilliant album, and it set up expectations that would be hard to meet in the years that followed. But the duo was determined to keep going, and they would not give up easily.

My People, This Boy’s in Love, and Songs for the Dance Floor

My People is the song that defines The Presets for most people, and it is one of the most famous Australian dance songs ever written. The song was written by Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, and it has a beat that is simple, driving, and instantly recognisable. The song is about belonging, about finding your people, and about the feeling of being part of a crowd that dances together. It is sung with a high, urgent voice, and it is backed by synthesisers that make you want to move. It is a song that feels both personal and universal, and that is a big part of why it became so popular.

This Boy’s in Love is another classic, with a melody that is both beautiful and haunting, and lyrics about love and about the excitement of falling for someone. The song is slower and more emotional than My People, and it shows a different side to The Presets’ songwriting. It proves that the duo could write a song that was both danceable and thoughtful, both joyful and sad, and that is a rare combination. The song has been used in films and on television, and it is still played on the radio today. It is a testament to the duo’s talent for writing a simple, beautiful pop song.

The songs on Apocalypso are still played at parties, at festivals, and in clubs, and they are songs that will be played for many years to come. They are a reminder that dance music can be both fun and meaningful, both energetic and emotional, and The Presets understand that better than almost any other band. Their songs make people dance, but they also make people feel, and that is a wonderful thing. A great dance song does not just make your feet move. It makes your heart move too, and The Presets’ songs do that.

For The Presets, My People and This Boy’s in Love were both a triumph and a challenge. They made the duo famous, but they also meant that they had to live up to their success with their next album. That is a lot of pressure for a young duo, and it is a pressure that many bands find hard to handle. The Presets did their best, and they made more good music, but those two songs will always be the ones that people remember first when they think of the band.

Pacifica, Hi Viz, and Changing Sounds

After Apocalypso, The Presets released the album Pacifica in 2012, which included the songs Youth in Trouble, Ghosts, and Promises, and which was a more experimental and more atmospheric record than the previous album. The album was well received by critics, and it showed a duo that was still writing good songs, still experimenting with new sounds, and still loved by their fans. It was a brave attempt to follow up a huge album with something different, and it produced some wonderful music, even if it did not reach the same sales as Apocalypso.

The duo followed Pacifica with the album Hi Viz in 2018, which was inspired by the dance music of the 1990s and by the rave culture that Julian and Kim had grown up with. The album included the songs Do What You Want, 14U+14ME, and Downtown Shutdown, and it was a joyful, dance-focused record that showed the duo’s love of club music. The album was well received, and it proved that The Presets could still make a great dance album, even after many years in the business. They toured the album around the world, playing to large crowds and enjoying the success that had come with their earlier work.

The Presets also released the album Raka in 2025, which was a new chapter for the duo, with songs that showed they were still writing, still experimenting, and still making music that mattered to them. Each album showed a duo that was still growing, still trying new things, and still making music that was true to who they were. They were not a duo that relied on one big hit. They were a duo that made album after album of strong, melodic dance music, and their fans stayed loyal because of it.

By the late 2010s, The Presets were one of the most respected electronic duos in the world, with a fan base that spanned generations. They had achieved what few duos achieve: a long career with music that was both popular and artistic, and a live reputation that was second to none. They had done it by staying true to their sound, by working hard, and by making music that mattered to people. It was a remarkable achievement, and it is a testament to the strength of the duo.

Live Shows, Festivals, and a Duo That Makes People Dance

The Presets’ live shows are a big part of why people love them, because the duo plays with an energy that is different on stage from on a record. Julian Hamilton sings live with passion, Kim Moyes plays keyboards and drums with power, and together they create a show that makes the crowd dance from start to finish. Fans who saw them live often say it was one of the best concerts they ever attended, and that memory stayed with them long after the show ended. A great live act creates a feeling that a record alone cannot create, and The Presets create that feeling night after night.

The duo has played at some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Coachella in America, Glastonbury in Britain, and Splendour in the Grass in Australia, and they have become known as a festival favourite, a duo that can turn a large field into a dance party. Their shows are colourful, joyful events, with lights, music, and a crowd that sings along to every song. That festival spirit is a big part of their identity, and it is why they are loved by fans who have seen them at a festival and who remember that night for the rest of their lives.

The Presets’ live shows also show how the duo works together, with each member playing a role and contributing to the sound. Julian is the frontman, but he is not the only star. Kim is a talented musician and producer, and his playing is essential to the duo’s sound. That teamwork is a big part of why The Presets sound so good live. They are not a singer with a backing musician. They are a real duo, with two members who have played together for many years and who know each other’s playing inside out. That trust is in their music, and the audience can feel it.

Today, The Presets continue to tour and record, and their live shows are still as exciting as ever. They have lasted for more than twenty years, from a university project in Sydney to a world-famous duo, and they have done it by staying true to their sound and by making music that makes people dance. That is a rare achievement, and it is a testament to the strength of the duo and to the depth of their friendship.

Still Dancing, Still Making Music, and a Lasting Legacy

Today, The Presets are remembered as one of Australia’s greatest electronic duos, not just for their music, but for the way they made dance music with a human heart. Their songs are still played on the radio, they are still sung at parties and at festivals, and they are still loved by new generations of fans who discover them for the first time. My People and This Boy’s in Love are classics, and they will be played for many years to come. The Presets are not just a duo. They are a part of Australia’s musical history, and their music will continue to be loved by people around the world.

Julian Hamilton remains a respected figure in Australian music, with a solo career and a duo career that show his talent as a songwriter and a performer. Kim Moyes is also a respected musician and producer, and together they are The Presets, a duo that has left a lasting mark on electronic music. Their story is a story of friendship, of hard work, and of music that was made with care and with heart. It is a story that will be told for many years to come.

Their music also became a part of everyday life in Australia, played on the radio during long drives, at backyard barbecues, and at school events, and that everyday presence is a sign of how deeply their songs connect with people. A duo that is played in ordinary moments, not just at concerts, has become part of people’s lives, and The Presets achieved that in a way that few duos do.

The Presets are still playing, and their fans are still dancing. That is the best kind of legacy a duo can have: a legacy of songs that people love, of shows that people remember, and of a sound that is unmistakably their own. Their story is not finished, because their music is still being heard, and it will continue to inspire people for many years to come.

My Take:

When I think about The Presets, the first thing I think about is energy. Their music is energetic in a way that is hard to describe. It is dark, driving, and full of life, and it makes you feel like you are at a party with your best friends. I think that energy is what makes them special. Many bands make music that is soft or serious, but The Presets make music that is intense and joyful, and that intensity is a wonderful thing. I love that about them, because it feels like a gift.

I love the song My People, and I think it is one of the best dance songs of the 2000s. It has a beat that is simple and driving, a chorus that everyone can sing, and a feeling that is both joyful and hopeful. I can hear Julian Hamilton’s voice, high and urgent, and I can feel the energy of the music. It is a song that makes me want to dance every time I hear it, and I think that is the mark of a great dance song. It is a song that will always be remembered, and I am grateful that The Presets wrote it.

What I admire most is the partnership between Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes. They met at university, they shared a love of music, and they built a duo that has lasted for more than twenty years. That is a long time for any partnership, and it is a testament to their friendship and their shared vision. A duo is like a marriage, in the sense that you have to work together, trust each other, and support each other through good times and bad times. Julian and Kim have done that, and their music is better for it. I respect that kind of partnership a lot.

I also think about their live shows, because that is where The Presets really shine. I have heard people talk about seeing them at a festival, with thousands of people dancing, and they always say the same thing: it was intense, it was exciting, and it was unforgettable. That is what a live show should be. It should be an experience, not just a performance, and The Presets give their fans an experience. They play for hours, they play the hits, and they leave the crowd wanting more. That is a rare skill, and they have it.

There is a sadness in their story too, and it is the sadness of a duo that is sometimes overlooked. The Presets are a great duo, but they are not as famous as some other Australian bands, and I think they deserve more recognition than they often get. Their music is as good as any dance music in the world, and their live shows are as exciting as any rock band’s. I feel sad that they are not more widely known, but I am also glad that their fans love them so deeply. That loyalty is a sign of a duo that matters, even if the whole world does not know it yet.

I admire the album Apocalypso, and I think it is one of the great dance albums of all time. It has My People, This Boy’s in Love, Talk Like That, and Yippiyo-Ay, and each song is different from the last. That range is rare, and it shows how good the duo’s songwriting was from the start. I think Apocalypso is a perfect album, in the sense that it has no weak songs, and every song feels like it belongs. That is hard to do, and The Presets did it. It is an album I return to again and again, and it never gets old.

When I listen to This Boy’s in Love, I hear something special and moving. It is a song about love, with a melody that is both beautiful and haunting, and Julian sings it with a tenderness that makes you believe every word. I think it is one of the most beautiful songs The Presets ever made, and it is a song that has touched many people. It shows that the duo could write a ballad as well as a dance song, and that they had a range as songwriters that many people did not appreciate. I am grateful for This Boy’s in Love, and I will keep listening to it.

I also think about Julian Hamilton’s voice, because it is one of the most distinctive voices in Australian music. It is high, clear, and full of character, and he sings with an honesty that makes you trust him. He is not a loud, showy singer. He is a storyteller, and his songs are full of the small details of life that people recognise. I think that is why his solo work is also loved, because people love to hear a singer who tells the truth in his songs. He is a rare talent, and I admire him a lot.

If I have a criticism, it is not about the duo itself. It is about how the music business treats electronic duos. Many people think electronic music is cold or mechanical, and they do not appreciate the skill that goes into making it. The Presets prove that electronic music can be warm, human, and full of feeling, but they have had to work hard to be recognised for that. I think the industry should do better, and fans should listen more closely, because The Presets’ music is as human as any rock band’s. It is made with heart, and it deserves to be heard as such.

I think about the album Hi Viz, and I admire it a lot, because it was inspired by the dance music of the 1990s, and it showed a duo that was willing to look back and to celebrate the music that had shaped them. It is a joyful, dance-focused record, with a sound that is both nostalgic and new, and it is a sign of artists who love their roots and who are not afraid to show it. That love of roots is a beautiful thing, and it is a big part of why The Presets are so loved. They know where they came from, and they honour it in their music.

For a young reader, I think the lesson of The Presets is simple. Make music that makes people dance, work hard, and be true to your sound. The Presets made dance music that makes people dance, they worked hard in Sydney clubs, and they stayed true to their electronic sound even when other bands were changing. That is a good example for anyone, musician or not, who wants to build something that lasts. Success does not come overnight. It comes from years of work, and The Presets proved that.

I also learn from them that a duo needs more than a good singer. It needs good songwriters, good players, and a team that works together. Julian wrote the songs and sang them, Kim played keyboards and drums, and together they created a sound that was greater than any one person could make alone. That teamwork is why The Presets sounded so good. A duo is not just one person. It is a partnership, and when the partnership works well, the music is better than any one person could make alone. I think that is a lesson for life as well as for music.

I keep thinking about the word people, because My People is a song about belonging, about finding your people, and about the feeling of being part of a crowd that dances together. I think belonging is a wonderful thing, because it makes us feel less alone, and The Presets’ music does that. It brings people together, it makes them dance, and it makes them feel like they belong. I am grateful for that gift, and I will keep listening to it.

When I think about their future, I do not worry about them. They have already proved that they can survive for more than twenty years, and they have already made music that will last for ever. I think they will keep making music for as long as they want to, and people will keep dancing, because their songs are timeless. A good dance song does not get old. It just gets better with time, and The Presets’ songs have got better with time. I am glad they are still here, still making music, and still making people dance.

I will end my thoughts on The Presets with a simple feeling. I feel grateful that they made Apocalypso, and I feel grateful that they never gave up on their joyful sound. The world is full of duos that make dark, serious music, and it is full of songs that are forgotten quickly. The Presets’ music is still remembered, and it is still loved, and that is a tribute to their talent and their joy. I am grateful for My People, for This Boy’s in Love, for Apocalypso, and for all the other songs they made. They are a gift, and I will keep listening to them.

One more thought stays with me. I think about Julian and Kim at university, studying music, dreaming of making songs that would make people dance. They could not have known that they would one day be one of the most loved dance duos in Australia. They just played, because they loved to play. I think that love is the real secret of their story. When you love what you do, you keep doing it, even when it is hard, even when the road is long, even when the success takes years to come. The Presets loved to play, and they kept playing. That is why their story still matters, and why I think people will keep listening to them for a long time to come.

I also think about the fans, because The Presets had fans who loved them deeply and who still love them today. They wear the T-shirts, they sing the songs, and they go to the concerts, year after year. I think a duo is only as good as its fans, and The Presets had some of the best fans in the world. They have kept the duo’s music alive, and they have kept My People alive. I respect those fans, and I think they deserve to be part of the story too.

Another thing I notice is how the duo’s music crosses generations. Young people today are discovering The Presets for the first time, through films, through streaming, and through their parents’ record collections. They hear My People and they love it, even though it was made before they were born. That is a sign of timeless music. A good song does not belong to one decade. It belongs to everyone, and The Presets made songs that belong to everyone.

I think about the simple joy of dancing to My People, and I think that joy is something the duo gives to people every time the song is played. There is a moment when the chorus starts, the crowd dances, and everyone feels the same thing at the same time. That shared feeling is rare, and it is why people love music. The Presets create that feeling better than almost any duo I know, and I think that is a gift worth celebrating.

I also think about the importance of Sydney’s electronic music scene, because The Presets came from that scene, and they helped to put it on the world map. Sydney has a strong tradition of electronic music, with clubs, DJs, and producers who are respected around the world, and The Presets are a big part of that tradition. I think that is a wonderful thing, because it shows that a city can have a sound, and that a duo can carry that sound to the world. The Presets did that, and I respect them for it.

I also think about the long gaps between their albums, and I admire the patience those gaps show. After a huge record like Apocalypso, it would have been easy to rush out a copy of the same sound just to stay in the charts. Julian and Kim did not do that. They took their time, they tried new ideas on Pacifica, they returned to their rave roots on Hi Viz, and they came back years later with Raka. I think that slow, careful pace is a sign of artists who care more about the music than about staying visible every month. It is a quiet kind of courage, and it has kept their work honest.

Another thought stays with me about the two-man shape of the band. A duo has nowhere to hide, because every sound and every decision belongs to just two people. If one of them is tired or unsure, the other has to carry the work, and if they disagree, they have to talk it through instead of letting a larger group decide for them. Julian and Kim have kept that close partnership working for more than twenty years, through long tours, long breaks, and changing tastes in music. I think that lasting trust is as much a part of their story as any hit song, and it is why their live shows still feel so close and so alive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Presets’ most famous song?

The Presets’ most famous song is My People, from their 2008 album Apocalypso. The driving dance song became a hit in Australia and around the world, won awards, and remains the song most people think of when they hear the duo’s name.

When were The Presets formed?

The Presets were formed in Sydney, Australia, in 2003 by Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, who met while studying music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. They played in Sydney clubs for years before releasing their debut album Beams in 2005.

Who are the members of The Presets?

The Presets are a duo made up of Julian Hamilton on vocals and keyboards, and Kim Moyes on keyboards, drums, and production. Hamilton is the singer and main songwriter, while Moyes brings the driving beats and electronic sounds that define their dance music.

What album made The Presets famous?

The album Apocalypso, released in 2008, made The Presets famous. It included My People, This Boy’s in Love, Talk Like That, and Yippiyo-Ay, won ARIA Awards including Album of the Year, and sold in large numbers around the world.

What are The Presets’ later albums?

The Presets’ later albums include Pacifica in 2012, Hi Viz in 2018, and Raka in 2025. Each album showed the duo experimenting with new sounds while keeping their dance-focused, electronic pop identity.

Are The Presets still performing today?

Yes, The Presets continue to tour and record, playing at major festivals including Coachella and Glastonbury. Their energetic live shows, with Julian Hamilton singing live and Kim Moyes on keyboards and drums, remain a big part of why fans love them.