Interview with Dimlite

Swiss born Dimitri Grimm (1980) makes electronic music of intricate rhythmic quality and clear sonic texture. Under his moniker Dimlite he released his first EP ‹A/DD› on the Berlin imprint Sonar Kollektiv in August of 2003. After that he has traded identities a few times, releasing a CD as Misel Quitno and two as Dimlite.

This little interview was conducted via MySpace on 21 March 2008.

Juha van ‘t Zelfde Your name is mentioned in one breath with artists as Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke, producers of a post-Dilla form of hip hop. Do you feel part of a larger movement?

Dimitri Grimm Awwwwww….. I’ve been put in a whole lot of other drawers before that. I guess it’s more like a natural shift of generations, technologies and techniques within a branch of the artform of Hip hop than a new movement. I feel like there’s a bunch of excellent mad scientists doing their music differently. They’re fed up. They don’t really identify with/care about the movement of ‹Beat Music›. I’ll just suggest that, coming from my own viewpoint. I have a deep love for good loops, but my general interest in music goes way beyond Beats. If one listens through the Dimlite records it’ll become obvious. I’ve also put out those side projects under different guises. ‹The Slapped Eyeballers› two years ago, which was really more of a friendly rock-ish EP, or the Misel Quitno album this year, more of an experimental, retro, soundtrack thing. I don’t know, I imagine those things won’t be too interesting for somebody who just got down with the whole new beat thing, but on the other hand they might help pointing into the direction of all kinds of exciting music.

JZ How do you work? Do you wake up early and go into the studio, or do you work at night? And what equipment do you use? Have your methods and equipment changed over the years?

DG During the night mostly, or whenever I’m awake, whenever I have to. I had just released the first EP when the fundament changed radically – from Atari and sampler to a computer to do the sampling and sequencing. Not much has changed since, only the ear does, some things have become worse, some better. I love to use analogue gear whenever somebody’s willing to lend it to me. I got a small sampler again just a few weeks ago because staring into the screen all the time started to make me sick. The methods and processes are constantly changing, sort of self-inflicted.

JZ Is there a difference between making music in the studio and making it on stage? How live is your performance? Do you know the outcome of your set when you perform?

DG The live shows consist of me playing keys, hitting drum pads, looping things up through the mic. All on a loosely preconstructed fundament that I have to control and that leaves room for improvisation - but I usually know where it’s going. It is much different compared to working on music at home: I don’t have to entertain anyone, don’t necessarily have to rock or prove anything. And for now, there’s no way to perform all the little handcrafted details live.

JZ What is your experience with the current music industry? Do you benefit from the Web and the decentralisation of power through sites as Last. fm, MySpace and p2p networks?

DG Awwww… it’s all good. Somebody help me with that shit. It’s the worst time to be a musician, and also the best one right now.

JZ What are you working on now? Do you have any projects unrealized?

DG Yes, that new and 3rd Dimlite album, I want to have it completed this year. I am also working on an album with my friend Elan Mottley from London, she’s an amazing singer and songwriter, gives me shivers. The second Misel Quitno outburst….. and some more things!

JZ Thank you for your time Dimitri.

Dimlite will perform live at Bitterzoet in Amsterdam coming Friday 28 March.

Related posts:  After Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke, Dimlite, Mike Slott and Take  //  “Want to cry, we’ll cry together.” A short interview with Daedelus  //  The cats are biting, a dialogue with Flying Lotus part one  //  Flying Lotus will return in November (but not to the Bimhuis)  //  Introducing Smart Project Space  //

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