Midnite Gossip is a cinematic alt-pop duo from Calgary, AB, featuring Nicky Markin (vocals, production) and Mickey Valenz (drums, vocals, production, visuals). Their sound merges lush, atmospheric production with elements of trip-hop, electronica, and raw, intimate vocals, creating what they describe as a “pretty but gritty” musical and visual aesthetic. Drawing inspiration from 90’s alternative rock, female pop energy, and cinematic soundscapes, they craft immersive music influenced by artists like Portishead, Massive Attack, and Phantogram, blending deep atmospheric textures with dynamic, infectious beats.

Their latest single, "Tightrope," from their upcoming debut EP, may sound like a breakup song on the surface, but at its core, it’s an empowering anthem that invites listeners to “brace for flight”—a mantra for embracing uncertainty and stepping into the unknown. With lo-fi vocals, powerful bass lines, looping drum rhythms, and atmospheric soundscapes, the track takes listeners on an emotional journey through the discomfort of change, the pain of letting go, and the quiet strength it takes to move forward. “For me, walking on a tightrope symbolizes those moments when every step feels uncertain, but you know you have to keep going,” says Markin.

Recorded and produced at their home studio, Midnite Sounds, and mixed and mastered by Trey Mills,  the track’s plucky strings and unexpected beats keep listeners on edge. “The song doesn’t unfold as you’d expect, and that was very intentional,” says Valenz. “We wanted people to think, ‘I didn’t see that coming,’ or ‘I would’ve done this differently,’ mirroring the unpredictability of change.” Markin adds, “We wanted the production to give that feeling of walking a tightrope and not knowing what’s next but staying committed to the journey.”

Since forming in late 2022, Midnite Gossip has gained national radio play on stations including CBC, CJSW, CKUA, and X92.9 FM’s "Xposure," as well as being featured in Canadian and international media. Their Live EP, released in March 2024, gained significant traction, charting on both CJSW’s and CJSR’s electronic charts, signalling a swift rise in the indie music scene. Their multidimensional artistic vision extends beyond their music, with energetic and methodically crafted live performances that guarantee to take audiences on a cinematic sonic journey. Notable appearances include performances at Wintersong Music Festival (2025), Canadian Music Week (2024), The Calgary Tattoo & Art Festival (2023), and Satellite Music + Art Festival (2023), sharing the stage with artists like Felix Cartal, Ruby Waters, Bedouin Soundclash, MELLT and LUN.

The duo has also gained global recognition for their self-filmed, directed, and edited music video for Streetlights [Mickey Valenz Remix], earning multiple award nominations. This includes Best Performance Video at the SIMI Music Video Fest (2025) and three nominations at the 8th Annual California Music Video & Film Awards for Best of Canada Music Video, Coolest Video Effects, and The Chip E. Best EDM/Dance Music Video Award. Most recently, the video won Bronze for Best International Music Video at the Zepstone International Film Awards (2025), further solidifying their presence on the global indie music scene.

Beyond the world of music videos, Midnite Gossip was selected as one of 32 artists to appear on CMCTV Talent Season 3 (2025), a nationally televised series showcasing Canada’s top independent musicians on CityTV and CMCanadaTV. With each milestone, the duo continues to solidify their reputation as one of the most exciting and boundary-pushing acts in the indie music scene.

With their debut EP set for release in 2025, "Tightrope" marks the beginning of Midnite Gossip’s broader artistic vision, inviting listeners to connect personally through themes of growth and transformation. Available on all major streaming platforms, "Tightrope" blends chill, atmospheric soundscapes with emotional intensity, setting the tone for what’s to come.