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Introducing… DANTINI
I got in touch with this guy when one of the Dubfreaks team (Revo) got in touch with me to see if I would feature their new mixtape on my site (which I will, it will go up tomorrow). Both Revo and Dantini agreed to do an interview to go along with the mixtape feature and seeing as Dantini got back to me first, his will be the first new interview to hit the new site! Here it is…
Name, age, location?
‘Derek Donaldson aka dantini., 21 years old, from north west london.’
How did you get into music production?
‘When I was 16, two of my best friends started a games company & they asked me to make all the music for the games based on the fact that I was a guitarist. I’d never even touched music software before but I got into it really quickly and I loved it. I didn’t really take it seriously until almost exactly a year ago when I started making Dubstep & after Taz (Revo, who’s in my college class) heard a couple of my tunes, showed them to the rest of the crew and eventually I was asked to join Dubfreaks, the rest is history, ha!’
Which producers influence you? What inspires you to create music?
‘As far as Dubstep goes, Bar 9 were the first producers that I really got into but I try to draw influences from as many different styles as possible. I come from a more hardcore/metal background so that’s probably the reason for my heavier sound but I love the softer side of music just as much. I’m a big fan of Phaeleh, DMZ and Pinch among many others. Anything can inspire me to make music, it all depends on the mood I’m in or if I come up with a good idea for a melody or synth. That’s what I love about music, it can come from literally anywhere.’
Which of your tracks is your personal favourite (and why)?
‘Well I’ve got love for certain tracks for different reasons but I would definitely have to say my Final Escape remix purely because it was the track that really got me out there. When I found out UKF Dubstep wanted to upload it, it was crazy, I couldn’t believe it. Now it’s got over 325,000 views & it still amazes me that it got that much love & still does.’
What have you been working on recently? Do you have anything due for release soon?
‘Well I’ve been working with a couple MCs recently, got a 4 track EP currently under production with Super Dertie. Got a couple of tracks with Kiefer too, in my opinion one of the best up & coming MCs in the UK right now. After the new year I’m going to start working on my first official releases, but my main focus is trying to establish myself as a DJ now. Dubfreaks have got some BIG things planned for 2011 aswell.’
Any shout outs you want to do?
‘First of all, shout outs to all the Dubfreaks fans, we’d be nowhere without them all! Big shoutouts to my homies Shan & Jay & to Brainspilla for the interview!’
I’ll start off with Dantini’s favourite track. It’s the first one I heard from him and is a remix of a track by JavanDee (who I’m going to be linking up with on a new project very soon) so it’s a good place to start. It’s a bit darker than the original (which you can find here) which makes the vocals sound all the more haunting…
This next track is featured on the Dubfreaks compilation, the link for which will go up tomorrow (consider this a teaser). A deep, slow tune with some smooth wobbles, this is definitely one of my favourites from the mixtape…
Next up we have probably my favourite track from Dantini. A remix of ‘Confessions’ by City and Colour. City and Colour is the solo work from Dallas Green (Alexisonfire). Such a beautiful track, amazing lyrics and if anything it has been improved Dantini. The vocals have been softened and a funkier beat has been introduced to create a relaxed but still exciting sound. I actually love this…
Lastly is a track that I know all of you will go mad for. It’s a collaboration with Dream (also part of the Dubfreaks team) called ‘Tetris’. A Dubstep version of the Tetris theme tune is not a unique idea but these guys have done the best one I’ve heard…
Make sure you go and check out Dantini’s other tracks on the old Youtube, there are some real gems. Also, hit up Dantini and Dubfreaks on Facebook (links below).
Watch out for Revo’s interview and the mixtape link coming tomorrow!
Peace.
