The Hybrid Drummer Duo – On Breaking the Beat with “Thrills”

With a thundering low-end and some serious rhythmic sleight-of-hand, “Thrills” is the latest release from The Hybrid Drummer Duo — the Hungarian pair of Máté Jancsovics and Gábor Domonkos — and it’s anything but your standard tech-house track. Built on a 7/4 time signature, propelled by live drums and a pulsing bass guitar, the track throws the genre rulebook out the window without ever losing sight of the dancefloor.

Shot at one of their own club nights, the accompanying live music video captures the duo in full flow — dialling in their hybrid setup for a set that’s structured like a DJ performance but played entirely live. Following the success of their EH AH EP and recent shows across Europe, the duo are pushing the boundaries of what live electronic performance can be, all while keeping the energy high and the grooves relentless.We caught up with Máté and Gábor to talk time signatures, live chemistry, and finding freedom in complexity.

“Thrills” plays with a 7/4 time signature, which is quite rare in dance music — what sparked the idea to experiment with rhythm in that way, and how did you approach keeping it club-friendly?

Máté: Being a drummer, I’ve always been curious about polymetric ideas that can still feel smooth and hypnotic. The bassline for “Thrills” came out of one of those experiments. What’s key is keeping the kick drum steady — once you have that pumping four-on-the-floor feel, people don’t get tripped up, even if the accents are shifting. That contrast creates a kind of rhythmic illusion that feels really exciting.

Gábor: At first, I honestly struggled with the 7/4 groove. You can’t play it on autopilot — you have to stay sharp and lock in with the drums. But that challenge made it more fun. Once it clicked, it became one of our most dynamic tracks.

You describe “Thrills” as having a steady momentum that pulls the listener in — how do you balance complexity and accessibility when writing tracks meant for the dance floor?

Gábor: We always want to keep it dancefloor‑friendly. When we catch ourselves overthinking a part — making it too technical or niche — we try to let go of the “analytical musician ego” and just listen to the vibe. The goal is movement, not a math lesson.

Máté: It’s about energy. You can be clever with rhythm and structure, but if it doesn’t build tension and release, it won’t move the room.

Your live performances are structured like DJ sets but fully performed — what are some of the creative challenges and rewards of blending live instrumentation with electronic club formats?

Máté: The biggest challenge is staying flexible. We don’t have a fixed structure, so we rely on eye contact and instinct. But that’s also the fun of it — we respond to the crowd in real time and can shape the flow as we go.

Gábor: There’s a lot of freedom in that format. If a groove is hitting, we can stretch it out. If we feel the energy dip, we can push into harder or faster territory. It’s like DJing with instruments — and a lot more sweat.

The music video for “Thrills” really captures the intensity of the track — how involved were you in shaping the visual concept, and what was it like working with director Imre Steiner?

Gábor: Imre’s been a friend for years, so the collaboration was very natural. He’s been joining us at shows and capturing content for a while, so he really understands our aesthetic.

Máté: We wanted the video to reflect our live setup and the atmosphere of our club events — no storyline, just energy. Imre nailed that. It’s raw, direct, and shows how we build momentum in real time.

With “Thrills” following the success of EH AH, what direction do you see your sound evolving toward next — more rhythmic experiments, or something completely unexpected?

Máté: We’re staying rooted in electronic dance music, but there’s still so much to explore. Techno has endless subgenres, and lately we’re also getting into breakbeat-inspired stuff — garage, drum & bass.

Gábor: Rhythm is always central, but we’re excited to keep pushing boundaries — whether it’s odd meters, new textures, or different live setups. As long as it hits hard and gets people moving, we’re open.