What do lady’s deodorant, masochistic man-burning foxes and taking your mum to a festival have in common?
They all feature in this feature on Dimension…
His latest single All I Need / Basilica is out this week and the title track comes with a rather raunchy/scary video. Let’s take a look…
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj-AtlU2qxE
Unfortunately we interviewed him way before this video came out, otherwise we’d ask him about the steamy concept (and the leading lady’s phone number) But there’s plenty more to talk about including his mum’s debut festival experience and a detailed list of essential things Dimension needs to stay happy. Recognise…
Loving All I Need. Big vocal vibes…
I wanted something that worked on the dancefloor but also worked as a real piece of music and have some melodic elements to it, too.
A hard line to tread…
Yeah, there’s a slight commercial thread. But that wasn’t the intention; the minute you have a melodic theme and vocals, there’s also going to be a commercial edge because that’s what commercial music comprises too. It’s more about me experimenting with my own sound.
How long have you been working on your sound?
I was playing around with stuff since school but I took it a lot more seriously in the last few years. Especially when I met Wilkinson. I write a lot of rubbish, mind. I only release the good stuff so you only get to hear my lucky breaks! I don’t think I’m alone, though. Every producer goes through the same process; we go to the studio, we get to work and hopefully what we end up with is good enough to make people dance!
And develop on what you’ve done before?
Yes. It’s important to keep refreshing your own ideas and techniques and pushing things forward. But it needs to make sense to the previous releases, too. I make the music that I want to listen to and that will never going to change.
What do you listen to?
All sorts! I love beaty, deep stuff like Bonobo. I love house music. I try to draw inspiration from everything I listen to. Sometimes music can be overwhelming as there’s so much of it available. You can never listen to everything.
But you can try! What was the last album you bought?
Disclosure’s album. I love it.
Let’s go back to the release. Basilica… It sounds like a font, actually a building… And now a starlit banger by Dimension. What’s the story?
It’s a funny one. I started writing it ages ago. It was going to be the B-side to Midnight Love but things changed. It was influenced by my travels around Europe. There are loads of old churches and cathedrals and basilica is a huge church. They’re really impressive structures have mad acoustics to them too. That’s one of the first time I’ve been inspired by an actual thing for my music.
I love the fact that cathedrals are designed and built by people who KNOW that it will never be finished in their lifetime…
Yeah! I’d never thought of that! And the whole mechanics of how they made them, too. The mind boggles.
What’s coming up next then?
More singles and plenty of remixes. There’s loads of exciting things going on at the moment, none of which I can tell you about sorry. Put it this way, I love doing what I do and I’ve no plans to keep stopping!
Teaser! So what’s been the highlight of your summer?
Taking my mum to see me play at the UKF tent at Global Gathering. She loved it. It was the first time she’s seen me play so it was a bit of eye opener for her. The arena opened at 5.30 and I was on at 6.30, it was packed… Much more than I thought it would be for that hour. It was a very special moment. For me, my mum and everyone who was there! It’s on the UKF video…
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdfEU4lQueo
Okay, final question. Your new single is called All I Need. So what does Dimension need in his life?
1. Woman’s Deodorant.
This might turn a few ‘headz’, but bare with me. Not only does it smell nicer, but in the heat of the club, it’s anti-perspirant properties far exceed those of the common male brands. Just make sure you get your partner to buy it for you.
2. Porridge
Everyone needs a solid start to the day, what better way to get your feet off the ground with a healthy bowl of porridge? I’m personally a big Scott’s fan (the shot-put bearing, kilt wearing Scottish man), sprinkled with some blueberries, raspberries and some granola for added crunch. It makes you fuller for longer and helps concentration so it’s guaranteed to fatten up those kicks and snares.
3. Sleeping Masks
This is an essential tool for any raver/DJ whose bedroom blinds leave a lot to be desired. I got fed up of playing out, having a long drive home, finally making it to bed and being faced with the sun’s rays seeping through my blinds like an old sieve. I use it all the time and have never looked back.
4. To stop using Serato.
I was lucky enough to win my Serato SL3 Blue edition in a Kiss 100 competition. I signed up for ‘All I want for Kissmas’ as a joke but ended up actually being one of the guys who gets called up and being told I won, great! Saying that, it’s always been a slight cause of misery, lugging around my laptop and that hefty collection of wires has its downsides. After a few beers, connecting up all those phono & USB leads is easier said than done, especially when trying to stay out the way of the currently playing DJ. I think it’s time for some USB sticks.
5. Dexter, Whiskey & British Airways complimentary, intercontinental BLT Wraps.
Studio breaks are essential – loud music, computer screens and general frustration mean you have to relax every now and then. I was introduced to Dexter by my mate Seb and haven’t looked back. It’s darker, better and more addictive than Breaking Bad (I promise). Watch it.
I love food and drink, and nothing excites me more than eating something that I’ve never tried before… But I could never get my head around whiskey. Until a month ago. Since then it has raced its way right up through to the number one spot in my favourite alcoholic beverages chart. Neat, on ice, or even with a splash of coke, whiskey is fantastic.
I’m fortunate enough to travel quite a bit and visit some fantastic places, I love my job and love playing records. As brilliant as all that is, few things excite me more than rushing through the M25, clearing past security, finally boarding the plane and getting my teeth stuck into that free BLT wrap you get on short-haul European flights on British Airways. Delicious!
All I Need / Basilica is out now. Listen and download.