Taste Test: Dinky

Taste Test: Dinky

27 September, 2011 | 6.19AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: dinky, taste test, visionquest

Visionquest, the left-field house label masterminded by Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, Lee Curtiss and Shaun Reeves, turns to Dinky for its latest release, and it’s one of their most stunning records yet. Across three lush, evolving tracks, Dinky explores three radically different approaches to blissfully deep house, and the results are anything but business as usual.

“Me and Seth have been talking about releasing or collaborating on something for a while,” Dinky told us. “He has been a suporter of my music and he always managed to squeeze a few of my songs in his mix CDs, so it seemed natural for me to give him music for the label. Apart from that, we share a lot of love for the same music, for example Arthur Russell… so I created the EP especially for him and the VQ boys. I wanted to showcase a range of tracks that can be used or listened in different situations and not only dance music.”

That the Berlin-based Chilena’s interests stretch far beyond the confines of the dancefloor shouldn’t be surprising; growing up in a musical household, she got her hands on a multitude of instruments at a young age before training as a professional ballerina; these days, she studies voice, piano, and guitar, lending her productions a depth impossible to achieve with mouse-clicks and sample CDs.

We spoke to Dinky about her musical upbringing; read on for the interview, and get her “Time To Lose It” EP on Beatport here.

Dinky, “Teka” [Visionquest]

What was the first record you remember having as a child?

There were a few, but Madonna’s Madonna was the one I most remember now, probably because all the little girls wanted to be like her!

What was the first record you bought with your own money?

I think it might have been a cd of Cocteau Twins or maybe Les Rita Mitsouko. Ufff, it’s been a while.

Which style or genre of music was your first great love?

Classical music, bossa nova and Latin standards—basically stuff I could play in the keys or dance as a young ballet student.

What was the first instrument that you remember playing?

There were a few around the same time—my house was full of instruments, upright piano, a Baldwin electric organ, and for a while I played an electric piano in the Suzuki Method academy where I was a little student. I also remember playing the recorder at school and being in the choir. I think the piano came first, though I was probably 3!

What was the first electronic-music event that you ever attended, and what did you think at the time?

It was in Chile in the beginning of the ‘90s, Ricardo [Villalobos] was playing. I loved it and danced all night. That’s all I remember: dancing, dancing, dancing to this strange magic and futuristic music.

How have your musical tastes changed since you were a teenager?

It has evolved and broadened, but I still like the bands I got into back then. I was really lucky as I was exposed to Cocteau Twins, the Cramps, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, etc al, really early. I’m still into those bands, but now I also like disco, jazz, experimental, and more sophisticated stuff (apart from dance music). I always liked bossa nova.

What was the last record (or MP3) you bought?

“Nature Boy” by Ella Fitzgerald.

How many tracks/records do you typically acquire every week—both promos & purchases?

Impossible to tell. Every week is different, but I try to go record shopping for vinyl every 10 days. I like to know my music well before I play it, so I don’t overdo it. I don’t play MP3s, but I get and buy WAVs weekly.

What format do you DJ with?

Vinyl and CDs. When I’m on tour, especially in places I don’t know well, I tend to DJ with CDs, as I had too many bad experiences with vinyl on the road, for several reasons, like sound problems and lost luggage. I would really rather enjoy my gig than try to play vinyl all the time, when most of the time it won’t work. Sadly, many clubs are not prepared for vinyl any more. I record all my vinyl onto WAV and then burn them, so musically it’s almost the same.

What’s the last DJ set that really impressed you?

It was Harvey at Pano Bar. He was just different and very daring, taking lost of risks, playing really musical and soulful, just different.
For while I felt like I was hearing the same music everywhere, but he came and changed that.

What’s the last gig/party you attended where you weren’t also performing?

The same day when Harvey played at Pano Bar,

Name your three favorite tracks at the moment:

Matthew Styles, “Don’t Call Me Again” [Running Back]

Robert Hood, “Dancer” [M-Plant]

Tony Lionni, “Precious feat. Marvin Belton (Deetron Remix)” [Freerange]

Which track (by another musician) do you wish that you had made?

Today it would be Peggy Lee’s “Fever.” She did not write the song, but the song itself and her performance are just amazing.

What’s your favorite record from this year that isn’t electronic dance music?

Really enjoyed PJ Harvey’s album.

Current reading or last good book read?

The Inner Game of Music and Rudimentary Elements in Music.

Favorite piece of gear:

Paul Vo Moog Guitar with tremolo bridge.

Favorite city/country/club to perform in?

Panorama Bar in Berlin and Fabric in London.

Which actor would you want to play you in the biopic of your life?

Meryl Streep. In any of her roles she is just extremely real and unpretentious. I love her, she is a genius.

And if you were an actor, which musician would you want to play?

Prince, as he is a great guitarist, a one-man band and one of the best performers ever.

Strangest thing you’ve ever eaten while on tour:

Raw baby horse. (Sorry, but I did not know what it was before trying it…)

Strangest thing a fan has ever given you:

They always give me cute little things like dolls or figures. Today I don’t remember anything super strange, but the most I treasure is a black Pashmina which I always take with me.. such a great present!

Frequent flyer survival tip:

Trying to stick to one airline (usually the airline of your country) and get a top miles status card. You can access lounges, which means peace in an aiport! And hang out there just before boarding with access to internet, food, drinks. You get the best seats, sometimes free upgrades to business class, never queue, better hotels (when your flight gets canceled) and all sort of “royal treatments.” It might take a while and be a bit more expensive, but at the end, it makes flying actually enjoyable and can save you time, gray hairs and money.

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• Get Dinky's "Time to Lose It" on Beatport