Day.Din interview
(13 Votes)
As for a little warm-up to the Jan. 17th Psychedelic Frequency party, we interviewed Day Din, a German DJ, one of the artist who will play on our next party. We talked about music, inspiration, feelings, and of course his new album, and the forthcoming party.
Psychedelic Frequency: So, how and when did you get in touch with goa music?
Day Din: In 1999 I visited my first goa party here in Hamburg. The party took place in a venue called “Gaswerk”, the most common and famous venue at that time in northern Germany. Actually it was some kind of coincidence that I was there. I was going to meet one of my best friends and he told me to go there so we can meet. I was never in touch with psy parties before. Some friends played old goa tapes in the past, like recordings from parties like VuuV 1995, but I never paid attention to those.
Psy Freq: So was it love at first sight?
Day Din: Indeed! And it was even caused by one particular track as my love began for this music: Atmos - Klein aber Doktor. I heard this one even at that first party I mentioned, and a whole new world of music was shown to me.
Psy Freq: You mentioned a whole new world. What does goa mean to you exactly? Music, lifestyle, philosophy, a way to see things?
Day Din: Well, different things. First of all the music of course. It’s my love, my passion and even if I start making other styles of music, I will never stop producing progressive trance. What I like is that the scene is so small, everybody who’s actively involved knows each other – the artists, the promoters, labelheads, it doesn’t matter. And even if you’re a guest without being an active part of the scene ¬– as I was as well when I started listening to it, going to parties – you feel like you’re a part of something special. I listened to hip hop, house, trance / hardtrance in the past, went to these parties, played also DJ-sets, but I never got this familiar feeling like I have in the goa scene.
Psy Freq: Wow, it seems like you had played lots of different styles. Then how would you describe your actual style, the music you play these days?
Day Din: Well, progressive trance, so what does that mean? Music for the day. I like being at parties at daytime. I often get bored of festivals when it gets dark. Maybe that’s why I produce this style.
Psy Freq: So music is like sunshine for you?
Day Din: Music lets me express my feelings – by listening to it as well as producing it. Happiness as well as sadness.
Psy Freq: When you listen to music, what artists and groups do you prefer? What are your favourites?
Day Din: I still listen to old stuff as well, so let me begin with acts like Atmos, Yahel and Cosma. The music that these guys made between 2000 and 2004 is still amazing and huge pool of inspiration to me. At present I listen a lot to Vibrasphere (Exploring the Tributaries is a milestone in my opinion) or Freq... and the older stuff from Antix. Sure there’s a lot more but to list all my favourites... it would go beyond the scope of this interview.
Psy Freq: Right, I think we got the point. What else does inspire you when you make music?
Day Din: Well, actually my whole life. Having good gigs and getting in touch all around the world, getting pleased or disappointed by women. A broken heart always inspires me. The title track of my upcoming album “A Place To Be Real” was made right after I got disappointed by a girl. The experience was bad and depressive, but I am very happy with the track I did right after this.
Psy Freq: I see. Women make the world go ‘round, as they say.
Day Din: Indeed.
Psy Freq: While composing music, what instruments do you use? What are the essentials of a Day Din album?
Day Din: I use some hardware like the Virus or Nordlead which are very important for me. But I couldn’t work without softsynths like Massive as well. Actually these 3 are my basics. Of course I try a lot of other stuff too, and I use them for a time, but I could not imagine making music without these 3 I mentioned.
Psy Freq: So these are the basics for your new album as well, if I’m correct, which is coming next month. In advance, even before we can hear it, I’d like to ask you, what’s your favorite track on it, and why?
Day Din: My favourite track is the one I mentioned, “A Place To Be Real”, because probably it’s the most personal track on the album, but I am satisfied with the whole album at all.
Psy Freq: Will you play something from it on the Jan. 17th party?
Day Din: Yes of course. I won’t play the whole album because there are tracks which are suitable for indoor parties as well as tunes for outdoor. So it will be a good mixture between my new album, my old one and the single releases. I always make up my mind and tune the liveset to suit for the region and the kind of party as much as possible.
Psy Freq: Sounds interesting. We can’t wait to hear it!
Day Din: It’s funny, because I got my very first foreign gig in Budapest about 4 years ago. Since then I never played in Budapest again. So I am looking forward to the weekend as well.
Psy Freq: Cool, I’d never imagine this. What’s the German goa scene like? What do you think about it? If you had the chance, what would you change (only if you would change anything)?
Day Din: The German scene is great and I am happy to be a part of it. The only thing that I miss at German parties – well actually also at a couple of parties around the globe – is the missing chillout floor. We have a great audience, good artists and promoters (greets to the Hamburg crew) and I never would like to change anything. It’s wonderful as it is.
Psy Freq: I see. Before we finish, we got some magazine-ish questions, if you don’t mind. What was your best party experience (even as a visitor or an artist)?
Day Din: The best party experience I had was definitely Universo Parallelo in Brazil, two weeks ago. It was like being on a different planet, good music, peaceful people and an amazing sight to the Atlantic while you are playing.
Psy Freq: That sounds one hell of a party.
Day Din: It was an exciting experience and I would be glad being a part of it again.
Psy Freq: Any messages for the Hungarian audience and for the ones who will read this?
Day Din: Well, just a big thank you for your support and the great feedback I am getting for my music. I know I’m not getting it for granted and I am working hard not to disappoint you. My next album “A Place To Be Real” is gonna be out in February at Spintwist Records and I hope it will come up to your expectations.
Psy Freq: Well, I’m sure it will. Thank you for your time, we’re looking forward hearing your music on the 17th.
This interview was made by Adam Szabo for Psychedelic Frequency
