Next Big Thing: Mike Posner’s hitmakers Seeb aim for their own chart success

The weekly Next Big Thing column highlights what’s bubbling under the surface in entertainment with a look at rising stars in the world of music, as well as standout TV shows, movies and web series that would be a shame to overlook.

“PILL” BOPPERS

Pop singer Mike Posner can thank Norway’s Seeb for helping him get back near the top of the Billboard charts.

The producer duo of Simen Eriksrud and Espen Berg — who took their stage name from their initials — recently remixed Posner’s single “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” with a catchy electronic beat.

The rework gave the track the energy it needed to break into the mainstream.

So far, the song has reached No. 1 in the U.K. and the top five in both the U.S. and Canada, making it Posner’s biggest global hit since 2010’s “Cooler Than Me” became a radio favourite.

But Posner’s success is also proving to be a great platform for Seeb to build their fanbase ahead of summer music festival season.

Seeb recently dropped their own single “Breathe,” which could offer a taste of what’s to come. The song takes the organic sound of an acoustic guitar and collides it with elements of trance.

Together, the fresh sound could be exactly what the clubs are looking for this summer.

Check out Seeb’s “Breathe”: http://bit.ly/1VC6WAx

BACK TO “BASICS”

Netflix is on the hunt for the next breakout comedian.

“The Characters,” a new series from the streaming service, gives eight different rising stars an opportunity to don wigs, make-up and clever personas all in the name of comedy.

Each of the eight half-hour segments stand on their own, giving viewers different tastes of each comic’s personality.

The results are mixed, but there are some real standout moments, particularly in episodes from comedians Kate Berlant and Tim Robinson.

But perhaps the most unforgettable segment comes in the episode from “Saturday Night Live” writer Natasha Rothwell, when she performs a rap song paying tribute to women who don’t mind being “basic.”

Watch a trailer for “The Characters”: http://bit.ly/1YhUMvE

OLD FACES, NEW SURPRISES

A couple’s unexpected encounter with an old high school acquaintance sets the tone for “The Gift,” a psychological thriller that veers into unexpected territory.

The film gives Jason Bateman one of his best dramatic roles as a man sucked into a world of paranoia when he believes he’s being stalked by someone from his past.

His wife ends up an unsuspecting accomplice in the intrigue and a potential pawn in the danger.

Australian actor Joel Edgerton, who also wrote and directed the film, created a solid production that became a sleeper hit in theatres last summer.

But if you haven’t seen it, you’ll still be surprised by how successfully “The Gift” manages to navigate a storyline that could’ve easily fallen into cliches.

“The Gift” is available on disc and Shomi. Watch the trailer: http://bit.ly/1WggmSN

Follow @dfriend on Twitter