Digital Farm Animals
Digital Farm Animals is the stage name of Nick Gale, a British electronic dance music (EDM) producer, songwriter, and DJ born in 1989 in London, England.[1] He emerged in the early 2010s, initially inspired by music production software gifted by a friend, and gained recognition through his debut EP Bugged Out in 2013.[1] Gale signed with Simon Cowell's Syco Records in 2015, marking a pivotal moment in his career, during which he released his debut single "True" and collaborated on tracks like Dua Lipa's "Be the One," which reached the UK Top 10.[1] His production and songwriting credits have since amassed multi-platinum success, including co-writing Galantis' "No Money," which garnered over 500 million Spotify streams and marked the group's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] Notable collaborations span artists such as Rita Ora on the UK No. 2 hit "Anywhere," Louis Tomlinson and Bebe Rexha on the multi-platinum "Back to You," Anne-Marie, Hailee Steinfeld, Jason Derulo, James Arthur, Aitch on the UK Top 10 "Buss Down," and more recent works with KSI, Lil Wayne, Marshmello, Jonas Brothers, and Craig David.[2][3] In 2019, Gale founded Bigger Picture Entertainment, a publishing and management company based in London and Los Angeles, aimed at nurturing a select roster of songwriters with hands-on support; by 2022, he planned to expand it from 10 to double its size within 12-18 months, including signings like the Swedish duo MTHR behind "Better Days."[3] He signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Group in 2020, further solidifying his influence in shaping modern pop and electronic music through innovative hits.[3] As of 2025, Gale continues to release music under the Digital Farm Animals moniker, including singles like "Same Cycle," "Back For Your Love," and "Ur Touch."[4]Background
Early life and education
Nicholas Gale, known professionally as Digital Farm Animals, was born in the late 1980s in Stanmore, a suburb of London, England. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family with no connections to the music industry; his parents held conventional jobs and emphasized the importance of pursuing a stable career, encouraging him to prioritize formal education over creative pursuits.[5][6][7] Gale attended the University of Nottingham, where he initially studied history for three years, graduating with a 2:1 degree. Following this, he pursued legal studies, but his passion for music intensified during this period, leading him to fail a module in his final year and ultimately drop out around 2013 to focus on production full-time. His legal education, however, proved useful later in understanding industry contracts.[8][6][7] From a young age, Gale developed a strong interest in music, beginning to DJ at age 11 for events like bar mitzvahs and children's parties alongside a friend. His exposure to electronic music came through self-taught production; in his early university years, a friend introduced him to Fruity Loops software, with which he experimented obsessively, creating numerous tracks as a hobby before continuing with FL Studio as his primary professional tool. This period of clubbing and bedroom production laid the foundation for his career in electronic music.[6][1]Entry into music industry
After studying law, Nick Gale shifted his focus to music production around age 23, giving himself one year to secure a publishing deal following a failed academic module.[6] In 2013, he adopted the stage name Digital Farm Animals, drawing inspiration from a field of farm animals he observed, which he humorously blended with the "digital" aspect of electronic music production to create a memorable moniker.[9] As part of this emerging persona, Gale began wearing a distinctive pink pig helmet—later known as his "Pigman" alter ego—during performances to add a layer of anonymity and visual flair, likening its origin to a playful fabrication from a remote technological facility.[9][6] Gale's initial foray into professional production occurred in 2013–2014, when he self-released early tracks on SoundCloud and independent platforms, primarily in house and EDM styles.[10] Notable examples from this period include "Winter Blades," uploaded to SoundCloud in September 2013, which showcased his developing sound rooted in electronic beats and melodic elements.[11] These releases were created in a makeshift shed studio provided by his manager's family, where he dedicated four to five hours daily to honing his craft using FL Studio software.[6] Seeking greater opportunities, Gale relocated to London around age 24, settling into his first flat and later utilizing Rack Studios in St. John's Wood to immerse himself in the city's vibrant music scene.[6] There, he networked with emerging UK producers and DJs through local events and connections, including meeting his manager Marc—a friend of a friend—who facilitated introductions to publishers and helped transition him from hobbyist to professional.[6] During this unsigned phase, Gale focused on remixes for smaller artists to gain exposure and credibility, while actively building an online following on social media and SoundCloud by sharing consistent uploads and engaging with fans.[10]Career
Breakthrough and early releases (2013–2016)
In 2015, Digital Farm Animals signed a record deal with Syco Entertainment, Simon Cowell's prominent label, which provided his first major industry backing and facilitated greater exposure for his electronic music productions.[12] This affiliation came after his independent EP Bugged Out in 2013 gained initial traction, allowing him to focus on remixing established tracks during the early phase of his career.[12] During 2013–2016, he contributed remixes to emerging UK artists, including a version of Ady Suleiman's "What's the Score" in 2015 and KStewart's "Be Without You" in 2016, honing his production style in future bass and drum and bass elements.[13][14] He also entered the studio with Little Mix that year for potential collaborations on their upcoming album, though specific releases from this session emerged later.[15] Building momentum through live sets at UK events, he performed at mid-sized venues and clubs to cultivate a grassroots following.[16] His breakthrough came with the 2016 single "Millionaire," a collaboration with American DJ group Cash Cash featuring rapper Nelly, released on June 3 via Big Beat/Atlantic Records and co-produced by Digital Farm Animals.[17] The track peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart, marking his first top-40 entry and demonstrating his ability to blend pop-rap with EDM.[18] It achieved gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry for 400,000 units sold, bolstered by heavy rotation on BBC Radio 1, including plays on shows like Scott Mills'.[14] This release solidified his transition from underground remixer to chart contender, setting the stage for broader recognition. He also co-wrote and produced Dua Lipa's "Be the One" in 2015, which became a key track on her debut album and helped establish her international presence.)Major collaborations and hits (2017–2025)
In 2017, Digital Farm Animals achieved significant breakthroughs through high-profile collaborations in the pop and EDM spheres. That year, he partnered with Alan Walker and Noah Cyrus on "All Falls Down," a cinematic EDM-pop track that blended emotional vocals with pulsating drops, marking his first major joint release with Cyrus.[19] These efforts highlighted his growing reputation for fusing infectious hooks with electronic production, contributing to tracks that resonated across streaming platforms and radio. By 2021, Digital Farm Animals deepened his ties with British artist KSI, co-writing and producing multiple tracks for the album All Over the Place, including the lead single "Really Love" featuring Craig David, which debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart.[20] Another standout was "Don't Play," a collaborative hit with KSI and Anne-Marie that peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and showcased his knack for crafting anthemic, genre-blending pop with urban influences.[21] These contributions not only propelled the album to number one on the UK Albums Chart but also solidified his role in elevating KSI's sound through polished EDM-pop elements.[22] In 2023, Digital Farm Animals continued his productive partnership with KSI by serving as producer on the single "Voices" featuring Oliver Tree, a reflective pop track that explored themes of heartbreak and self-deception.[23] In 2020, he signed a worldwide publishing deal with Spirit Music Group, further solidifying his influence; this was followed by a joint venture with Kobalt in 2023, allowing him to expand his catalog of pop-EDM fusions while retaining creative control over future projects.[24][25] His work emphasized seamless integrations of electronic beats with vocal-driven narratives, influencing a wave of UK pop productions. From 2024 to 2025, Digital Farm Animals focused on behind-the-scenes production for emerging UK pop and EDM artists, releasing tracks like "Back For Your Love" and "Ur Touch" in June 2024, and "Same Cycle" with Hedex and ArrDee in September 2025, which maintained his signature high-energy style without major solo ventures.[26][27][28] He performed at prominent European festivals, including Boardmasters and Mysteryland, where his sets blended his collaborative hits with original material.[29] By this period, his portfolio encompassed collaborations with over 50 artists across pop and EDM, underscoring his impact on the genre's evolution through innovative production techniques.[30]Musical style and influences
Production techniques
Digital Farm Animals, whose real name is Nicholas Gale, primarily employs FL Studio as his digital audio workstation for music arrangement and production, a software he has used since his early teens after being introduced to its demo version by a friend.[6][31][32] He integrates synthesizers like Omnisphere for rich synth sounds and hardware such as the Prophet-6 for evoking '80s Euro synth textures, alongside effects plugins including SoundToys Echoboy for vocal and guitar processing.[6] Drum programming often draws from sample packs, such as those featuring MJ Cole's garage elements, which he chops and layers to build rhythmic foundations.[6] Reverb tools like Valhalla VintageVerb further enhance spatial depth in his mixes.[6] His signature sound revolves around crafting bright, energetic pop tracks infused with dance music elements, characterized by layered electronic drops that blend euphoric builds with catchy hooks.[6][32] He frequently structures productions around house frameworks, typically 120-130 BPM, incorporating future bass-inspired drops in collaborative works to add dynamic, wobbling basslines and melodic progressions.[6] This approach yields anthemic, feel-good vibes that prioritize listener upliftment through fizzy synths and pulsating rhythms.[32] In his workflow, Gale begins by generating multiple melody and beat sketches daily—typically four to five ideas—often programming drums directly in FL Studio's Piano Roll for precise control.[6] He emphasizes iterative refinement, spending extended time on mixing details to achieve polished results, while maintaining flexibility for genre experimentation.[32] Collaboration plays a central role, involving file-sharing and co-writing sessions with artists to align visions without overly conforming to external styles.[6][31] Over time, his production has evolved from roots in pure EDM genres like house and dubstep during his 2013 entry into the scene, toward a hybrid pop orientation by the early 2020s, where he increasingly incorporates live instrumentation samples from hardware like the Mellotron and Bock Audio microphones alongside digital elements.[6][32] This shift reflects a broader focus on songwriting and vocal integration, drawing inspiration from electronic music pioneers and acts like Daft Punk who shaped dance-pop hybrids, as well as influences such as Coldplay for melodic elements, Calvin Harris for innovative production, and MJ Cole for garage rhythms.[31][32][33]Artistic persona and themes
Digital Farm Animals, the stage name of British producer Nick Gale, has cultivated a distinctive artistic persona centered on a custom pink LED pig helmet, which he has worn in all public appearances since his professional debut in 2013. This helmet, often described as futuristic and reactive to music, symbolizes playful anonymity and a hybrid identity, with Gale self-identifying as "half pig, half man" to blend human creativity with whimsical animalistic elements. The branding extends to his moniker and visual aesthetic, drawing comparisons to masked DJs like Deadmau5 while emphasizing a lighthearted, escapist vibe in the electronic music scene.[34][33][10][35] Recurring themes in his work revolve around love, escapism, and the complexities of relationships in the digital age, as evident in songs like "Digital Love" (featuring Hailee Steinfeld), which lyrically navigates longing and virtual connections with lines such as "Hey, we got a good thing / Wish I had you right here with me." His music videos reinforce these motifs through farm-animal graphics and pig-centric imagery, such as animated swine elements that tie into his persona and evoke a surreal, playful escape from everyday realities.[36] Gale maintains a veil of mystery around his personal life, channeling public interactions through the enigmatic Pigman character to preserve artistic separation. On social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, he engages fans with humorous, meme-inspired content, including the #PigmanTV series that premiered in 2019, blending behind-the-scenes glimpses with comedic sketches centered on his alter ego.[9] The persona evolved significantly in 2016 with the release of the "Millionaire" music video (featuring Cash Cash and Nelly), where the pig helmet became a central visual element, marking his breakthrough into mainstream visibility.[37] Upgraded LED helmets that light up and animate in sync with tracks, accompanied by animal-themed projections, enhance the immersive, thematic experience in live performances.[38][39]Discography
Singles as lead artist
Digital Farm Animals has primarily released music in the form of singles and EPs as the lead artist, with no full-length studio album issued as of November 2025. His discography in this capacity emphasizes dance-pop and electronic tracks, often featuring vocalists, and has garnered significant streaming success alongside modest chart performance in the UK. Early releases were distributed through major labels like Syco Music, transitioning to Arista and independent imprints in later years.[40][41] Key singles as lead artist include the following representative examples, highlighting commercial milestones:| Year | Title | Featured artist(s) | Label | UK peak | Certifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Millionaire | Cash Cash, Nelly | Big Beat/Atlantic | 25 | BPI: Gold (400,000 units) | Released June 3; 18 weeks on UK Singles Chart; over 96 million Spotify streams as of 2025, establishing early international reception in dance charts.[18][42][43] |
| 2016 | Wanna Know | Youthonix, R. Kelly | Syco Music | — | — | Debut solo lead single; focused on R&B-infused electronic production.[44] |
| 2017 | Digital Love | Hailee Steinfeld | Syco Music | — | — | Collaborated with pop artist; emphasized upbeat, summery vibes.[40] |
| 2019 | Gold | None | Arista | — | — | Solo vocal track released November 1; highlighted introspective lyrics over house beats.[45][46] |
| 2024 | Back For Your Love | None | Independent | — | — | Recent single reflecting continued single-focused output.[47] |
| 2024 | High All The Time | None | Independent | — | — | Upbeat electronic release, part of post-label era experimentation.[48] |
| 2024 | Ur Touch | None | Independent | — | — | Electronic track released June 12.[49] |