belgian swag for export : dynooo

Dynoo is pretty uncompromising when it comes to making music, as he appears to be about most aspects of his life. His output is both prolific and multi faceted, an eclectic array of contorted beats and breaks which defy categorisation. About a year ago I stumbled upon one of his random compositions on a typically epic YouTube journey and have been intrigued and excited by his music ever since. His dry sense of humour and command of English idioms is impressive for a non native, and in exchange for some unfamiliar cockney rhyming slang expressions, he happily dished the dirt on dynooo.

When and how did you start making music as dynooo?

I started doing hip hop when I was about 16, rapping and making beats in Cool Edit. Dyno was my nickname back then. The last few years production got a little more serious. I’m starting to hate my name. It’s probably the main reason why I’m making up alter egos all the time.

Tell me about your latest collaboration project with Cupp Cave – how did that come about?

I met Cupp a couple years ago and we just instantly clicked. Turned out we share a remarkably similar taste although he has somewhat of a different musical background. Crappy video footage, ugly decor and kitschy photography, first time I felt like I could share all that with someone. We do a lot of back and forth texting about new music (he lives about 2 hrs away). Guess it was only right we’d have to collab on stuff at some point. We work together a lot now – be it tunes, video, flyers or anything else for the label. Feels right.

Could you talk a little about the label surf kill – what led you to start it up? How is that going and is there any label vision/profile as such? what’s lined up for the rest of the year?

I guess we felt like we had so much to share. We didn’t really want to deal with finding the right label to put it all out, our whole ideology is to just do whatever and not be patient. All of us are pretty broke so it’s not easy but having worldwide distribution definitely helps. The whole visual identity is distinct and natural, we basically just do what we feel. Turns out people seem to like it. I think Surf Kill is as free as it gets, it’s the most exciting project ever to me and that’s what’s charismatic about it, its punk aesthetic if you will. Definitely getting it tattooed at some point. There’s about 3 more projects in the works, some very interesting pieces. We’re planning a couple of small exhibitions as well.

Does being in Belgium help you creatively? What is the scene like there and how is your music received locally…how does this compare with the reaction abroad?

It’s getting better, although I feel like there’s more interesting places to live as a musician. The scene is small to non-existent, and seeing as we’re such a small country it’s inevitable everybody more or less knows each other out here. I’m sort of a background type dude so I don’t do the whole networking thing all too well. I do think it’s pretty cool to be from a place that’s not ‘happening’. Makes you create your own bubble. It’s weird, it wasn’t until recently that I got more international shows so I’m excited to see where that goes, SK seems to be getting a lot of love abroad. It’s cool but I don’t really care to be honest.

Musical influences past and present?

Past: Shurik’N, 2 Unlimited, DJ Premier, Cobain, Wu, Guns ‘N Roses & Harold Faltermeyer. Present: Actress, Hype Williams, Waka Flocka, Peaking Lights, James Pants & Zomby. Right off the top. My friends’ music is a big influence to me as well. Happy to know some very talented people, give Ssaliva, Sagat, Cupp Cave and Dalcym a listen.

What’s your set up equipment wise?

Laptop, cheap Casio, SP-303 & midi keyboard. Nothing too fancy. Got a mixer, turntable and stuff up in the attic where everything is set up but after I moved half of it downstairs during wintertime I just work with what’s in the living room. I’m lazy. Plus I don’t like home studios.

Your sound is pretty varied, how would you describe it in your own words?

Littledom. I don’t know, I don’t particularly like to talk about what it is or what it sounds like. I’m very skeptical, I hate a lot of songs I did. It’s a curse as well as a blessing I guess.

Guilty pleasures? (musical and otherwise)

Cheesy shit. Chris Brown, R Kelly, Usher, Pretty Ricky. Slow jamz. B-movies. Putting fries in between my burger. Used to love eating Nutella straight out of the jar. I’ve also been developing a bikini fetish.

Favourite film?

Impossible. Here’s 8. Total Recall, Julien Donkey-boy, The Breakfast Club, Seul Contre Tous, After Hours, Clockers, New Jersey Drive and Paris, Texas.

Favourite book?

Loved ‘On The Road’. It was recommended to me a while ago and I must say it’s totally life changing. I’m finishing a Kurt Cobain joint at the moment. I’m slow, I’ll read 4 chapters, leave it alone for a week then read some more. Might dive into some Bret Easton-Ellis…and more Palahniuk.

Do you have a day job?

Nope but I’m supposed to be looking. Guess I’m investing all my time and energy in hoping this music thing will get picked up and eventually solve all my financial problems. I’d love to work for a really well known rapper. Carte blanche. Like, imagining Gucci on low-pitched psychedelics, or Wayne on some 80bpm Neophyte. Change the name of the game. Get beaucoup money.

Tell me a secret?

I have 2 nipples.

What did you want to do/be as a kid?

I wanted to be Michael Jackson. My dad once destroyed my Bad tape cause I was being annoying. I cried for days. I could also lie and tell you I’ve always wanted to be the next Aphex Twin.

Biggest life lesson learnt?

Past love.

Check out :
Surf Kill
Dynooo’s personal website
Dynooo’s shit hot tumblr with stacks of fantastically trashy low res photos

Dynooo downloads (new tracks!)

turn my swagg on
candle donut
esprit sweat
thunderstrukk
witch turks

Two LPs worth of new material out later this year.

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