Zombies in Miami Interview by Charlie Taylor
Seventeen years of playing together, fifteen as Zombies in Miami, and still, Mexican duo Cani and Jenouise keep each other surprised. With a signature sound that’s emotional, layered, and fiercely club-focused, they’ve become known for productions that shift seamlessly between tension and movement. Now, with Unknown Pleasure landing on SEVENVA02, they deliver another deep, hypnotic track designed to ignite the body, challenge the mind and explore new space.
I caught up with the duo just after a seven-hour set in Copenhagen and a stop in Paris, before they headed off again to the next festival. Despite the whirlwind, they spoke with warmth, focus, and an ease that only comes from years of collaboration.
A partnership built on respect
“We try to have a mutual respect for each other and share our vision in music. We like to explore new sounds and new ideas. I think that’s important for the 17 years together.”
“Seventeen years together is a long time, and it sounds crazy – it makes me feel a little bit old!”
But for Zombies in Miami, longevity comes from trust, shared curiosity, and a constant desire to push each other forward.
That creative bond extends beyond the studio:
“We are always supporting each other through all the challenges. And of course, we’re celebrating all the successes. We are a couple and have been together for almost 18 years.”
Jenouise reflected on the beginning of their relationship as a personal turning point: “I wasn’t too involved with music, I was studying at university at the time. So I didn’t think I’d ever be involved in DJing or music. That’s the most exciting part of the project – the beginning.”
Working as a couple in this industry might raise eyebrows for some. “A lot of people say, ‘How do you do it? I couldn’t do it.’ But we know each other very well. The respect and support is so important.”
Unknown Pleasure: Deep, sexy, tribal
Their track for SEVENVA02 is called Unknown Pleasure, a title loaded with mystery and open interpretation.
“As a name, it resonates with the idea of exploring different territories in our music. It reflects the emotional journey we experience while creating and the excitement of discovering new sounds and feelings.”
SEVEN · PREMIER: Zombies in Miami – Unknown Pleasure [SEVENVA02]
Stylistically, the track builds on their recent material. “We are working with these specific kinds of rhythms and basslines.. it’s really a continuation of this sound. And we’re still incorporating new elements.”
The result, they say, is something familiar, fresh and unmistakably theirs.
“People are starting to recognise this kind of sound as the Zombies in Miami signature. It’s a mix of everything – a bit of tribal, a bit of house. Also sexy and deep.”
Building for the dancefloor, playing with the mind
The creative process for Unknown Pleasure began, as many of their tracks do, with jamming:
“We always like to begin with a little bit of jamming, just to check what’s going to be the vibe of the track. Then we imagined how we were going to fit that into SEVEN, into the label.”
Though it’s designed for the club, there’s more at work than just rhythm. “We are creating music for the dancefloor, but also, we like to play with the mind of the people. With all sounds and ideas. To take them to a different place.”
They describe the structure of Unknown Pleasure as a journey in three acts: “There are three parts of the track, so you can go to three different places. The first part is very deep and kind of chill… then something more crazy and sexy builds.”
It wasn’t always easy.
“Sometimes we get stuck, like, what is the direction of the track? But when we both agreed, ‘Yeah, this is the direction, everything was really easy to continue. At first, it was just an idea, and it was stuck on the computer for three months while we were just listening and listening. But the idea was amazing. We just needed to work on some other elements to pull it together.”
That moment of clarity is what stuck. “Luckily, we managed to finish it in a good way.”
The moment the volume goes up
There’s a point in Unknown Pleasure that always hits – for them, and the room.
“When the building of Unknown Pleasure is coming, just before the drop – that’s the moment. We look at the dancefloor and see the reaction of the crowd. It’s very emotional for us, to see how people are reacting.”
As for where the track really belongs?
“It’s for clubs or warehouses, very into the night, in the dark. When people are in the mood to get crazy and leave it all on the dancefloor. But it could also be nice at sunrise.”
Freedom, not format
Zombies in Miami were brought into the SEVENVA02 fold by the label’s co-founder and Head of A&R, CRYME. He first connected with them by sending a demo of his own work to the duo’s label, Creatures of the Night.
“It was very natural. CRYME & Glenn were really easy to connect with. It felt like a perfect fit for us. The label vision aligns with ours.”
They appreciated the wide scope of the VA:
“SEVEN really celebrates artistic exploration. It’s not only stuck in one kind of sound. There are a lot of good producers and different kinds of tracks on the VA. It’s a very unique label.”
And crucially, they were trusted.
“SEVEN gave us the freedom to work in our own sound, not a specific sound or format. That encouraged our creativity. And they’re very nice people, a very nice crew. It’s easy to work with people like that.”
Travelling, tastes, and timeless dancefloors
When asked what outside of music shapes their sound, they didn’t hesitate:
“Travelling around the world. Knowing different cultures, places – it plays a significant role in shaping our sound. Especially experiencing different environments, art forms… and gastronomy, food. Travelling, for sure.”
And if they could teleport anywhere on Earth to drop Unknown Pleasure?
“Panorama Bar in Berghain, definitely. But if we could go back in time, it would be New York in the late ’90s or early 2000s – Sound Factory. The energy there was electric. The connection with the crowd was unlike anything else.”
Cani and Jen from Zombies in Miami outside Berghain after playing there in June 2025
Zombies in Miami on SEVEN
Zombies in Miami’s track Unknown Pleasure will appear on SEVENVA02, out 28 August 2025 on digital, 12″ vinyl and audiocassette. Pre-orders and previews are live now on SEVEN’s Bandcamp and SoundCloud.
SEVEN Various Artists 02 | SEVENVA02 by Various Artists
More Zombies in Miami
You can follow Zombies in Miami here on Instagram and here on SoundCloud.
Interview & Words: Charlie Taylor
Pictures: Mara Menzel