Dushi Interview
As part of Urban Wildife's 3 compilation, Love and Happyness created by none other than the ridiculously cool and lovely Dushi is back and better then ever with her remix EP. So I asked her if she'd chat with me, Lexie to get her thoughts on her new track, making tunes and omnipotence, and I am happy to say that she agreed!
1: Hi! Thank you very much for having a chat with us! How has 2018 treated you so far?
Dushi: It’s been a great year.. I’ve spent a lot of time with my head down in the studio making a lot of new music so I've been very happy.
2: So was music always your passion? How long have you been producing & Djing?
Dushi: Yeah it’s the one thing that’s always held my attention and stayed with me since I was child.
3: I really loving your new track Love & Happiness, it incorporates a beautiful finely tuned liquid sound to it. It makes me wish for summer! Could you tell me a little more about this EP & the remixes that accompany it?
Aww thanks, I was on a vibe when I wrote it..it was just vibes. Then really enjoyed djing out in Hamburg and meeting all the creatives behind Urban Wildlife. Real community sense with this label where everyone comes together making beautiful art. It was just lovely getting to know everyone and bang this EP happened with all these sick producers involved and even a dope piece of artwork from a local artist there. Smuskind, T:Base, Ly Da Buddah and Angry Koala. Thanks guys.
Lexie: Awsome, yeah it seems like a real collective. Great music flows from like minded individuals who can come together to make pieces of muscial art.
4: What other genres of music do you like to play, do you have a favourite?
Dushi: Awww I love all genres of music. For me it really just depends on the tune.. the vibe I am feeling in the moment.
5: What do you find is the most challenging thing when making tunes?
Dushi: If I’m totally honest I can begin to feel pretty isolated at times. I’m a female producer/dj that is not attached to any particular camp. I spend a lot of time on my own in the studio haha, which I love, but sometimes I guess that can be difficult too.
I can find that I am up and down creativity wise and how I feel about the tunes I make. It’s amazing when I have a spurt of it I am on top of the world, but it can be frustrating and sometimes even scary when it’s not completely there. I’ve been making sure when this happens I get out and do stuff, and I have actually met some lovely people recently which is great.
Lexie: Well yeah that is understandable. I get it. Sometimes solitude can be bliss but needing that energy from others is also important to the work flow. Meeting new people is always a good thing!
6: So if you could collaborate on a track with anyone who would it be?
Dushi: There are so many people I would love to collaborate with so I just cannot say one person. What I will say is that I am so lucky right now, I am working with some really amazing legends at the moment. Proper heroes of mine and I cannot wait to get it out there for people to enjoy.
7: Throughout you career you’ve made some great music, do you have a favourite, one that you’re really proud of?
Dushi: Each one has a different story and means something to me where I am expressing myself at that moment in time.. so its difficult one for me to chose.. My EP last year that came out on Hazard’s label, Radius recordings, meant a lot, having an artist that I love and respect so much get behind me and believe in my music meant the world to me and I was very happy, but if I had to chose one particular tune it’s Crossroads. Which came out on Soulvent records recently, It had been hiding away on my computer, I made the track a good few years ago.
The mic was broken and I was very sick.. I guess may be i was feeling broken to haha.. so I felt the need to open up then and there, collapsed on my chair in my dressing gown, I laid myself bare on that track… I think it’s actually been quite a turning point for me in my head since that release.. Since then, everything I have been making in the studio feels very different - in a good way… like the seal has been cracked off, chains of self doubt shattered and now creativity is flowing. So I guess for me personally, that tune and release has meant a great deal.
8: When did it come to you that you wanted to compose your own tracks, where do you draw your creativity from?
Dushi: I’ve always wanted to compose my own tracks from when I first started listening to music. Creativity just comes, and it almost feel like its not me when it does. Different things inspire me, from a broken heart to the world we live in.
9: What do you prefer? Playing at festivals or venues?
Dushi: I couldn't say both are good fun!
Lexie: Definitely! Both are super fun :)
10: So who would you say inspires you? Musically or otherwise?
Dushi: People that inspire me.. I would definitely say my parents first and foremost. They are both beautiful people in very different ways.
and of course, Bob Marley.
11: Do you have a favourite place to perform? If so where?
Dushi: Every place is fun and a new experience..a new vibe… it’s exciting.. like a proper adventure.
12: Do you have any plans on any up and coming tracks that we could look forward to?
Dushi: I've got many potions bubbling.
Lexie: Sounds very intriguing! I'm looking forward to hearing what's next in store for us.
13: As a female producer and DJ do you have any advice for women who are up and coming in the industry?
Dushi: Do you, do what's in your heart.
14: And just for the fun of it, if you could be omnipotent for a day what would you do?!
Dushi: I would shut down all the fossil fuel, petrochemical and extractive industries that are destroying the environment; replace all plastics with hemp-based alternatives; eliminate the massive inequalities separating the rich and poor; feed the hungry; and organise a massive non-stop world dance that circulates through the time zones from sunset to sunrise AND causes an unprecedented outbreak of peace and love.
Lexie: Well yes! I wish you were now! Agreed. I also want that non stop world dance :)
Love and Happyness is available to buy on: Beatport
Urban Wildlife:
Beatport / Juno / Soundcloud
Dushi:
Beatport / Juno / Facebook / Twitter
Interview conducted by: Lexie Pierre