Van Go Lion may very well be the first electro-pop duo to have met via Craigslist.

In 2008, Josh Loerzel’s Portland, Oregon rock band was searching for a singer. Recent New York transplant Amy Paige responded to his Craigslist post, and after bonding over a love of ’80s music (Tears For Fears’ “Head Over Heels” in particular), she got the gig. In January 2010, however, Loerzel and Paige decided to give up the rock and follow their retro-lovin’ hearts, bidding adieu to the band and forging ahead together as Van Go Lion. A self-titled, self-released EP arrived a couple of months later.

Real buzz around Van Go Lion has been building since “Body Moves,” the duo’s proper debut single, arrived last month. A fantastic synthesis of Ace of Base, Alphabeat, and Robyn, “Body Moves” shows just where Loerzel and Paige’s sonic loyalties lie — dance-pop that plumbs emotional depths. Often imported, Van Go Lion produces it organically right here in the good ol’ USA. (So very Portland, if you think about it.)

Along with the bubbling “Body Moves,” I have major love for the midtempo “Glow,” which appears on the 4-track Body Moves EP. The song’s melody and Paige’s vocals are simply sublime.

Purchase Van Go Lion – Body Moves EP via iTunes.

This week, Van Go Lion released the Qubiq remixes of “Body Moves.” The Phoenix, Arizona DJ transforms the airy original into a relentless, sweat-fueled frenzy:

Qubiq’s making quite a name for himself in dance circles, winning the Grand Prize in a Kylie Minogue “All The Lovers” remix contest sponsored by Masterbeat. He also submitted this rework of Ace Of Base’s classic single “The Sign” that’s worth a listen.

As for Van Go Lion, the duo is prepping their second single, “We Don’t Miss A Beat,” offering a preview via an acoustic version.

Purchase Van Go Lion – “Body Moves” (Qubiq Remixes) via iTunes. Clicking the arrow in the player above will snag you a free download of the Qubiq Extended Remix.