Dutchie – “I Find Inspiration In Everyday Sounds, Feelings And Environments As Well As My Dreams”

Bristol-based artist Dutchie released her 2-track ‘Yeah/Look Down’ project on the ‘Future Bounce’ label back in May. In support of her release, we ask her to introduce herself.

Who are you?

I’m Dutchie, a music producer, DJ and vocalist who can’t seem to stick to one genre.

Where are you from?

I grew up in various small towns and villages in southwest Devon, a beautiful but quiet place with not much going on. I moved to Bristol around seven years ago to surround myself with more musical activity and opportunities and haven’t left!

What do you sound like?

It really depends, I love writing neo-soul and jazz-inspired projects with introspective lyrics and lots of harmonies, but I also really enjoy working on breaks, garage and UK funk-inspired dance tracks that fit into my DJ sets.

I generally like to explore the manipulation of field recordings and random other bits of audio to create fun glitchy little chops, atmospheres and the like, and recently I’ve actually made an entire track out of just field recordings which was super fun. I’m not sure I have one sound, but I think my work in general is quite stripped back and simple.

Why should we follow what you’re doing?

How would you know what I’m doing? Follow me on Instagram and send me a DM for your free ‘behind the scenes’ PDF. 😂

Which of your tracks sums you up? Why?

Oh, it’s hard to single one out! I wouldn’t say it sums me up as such but ‘Shadow Boss‘ was one of the first vocal projects where I got session musicians in to record every part in a proper studio. It felt like a real step towards achieving some legitimate signature sound.

More recently, ‘Changes’ was a big step toward merging my vocal work into my more club-based projects, and I’ve gone on to start using my own vocals more like samples than vocal features, which has been really fun.

What or who is your biggest influence and why?

I couldn’t possibly single out any one artist, I take influence from so many different genres and styles that it would be hard to fit them in without feeling like I’ve left some out! Aside from artist or genre, I find inspiration in everyday sounds, feelings and environments (especially the sea and nature in general) as well as my dreams (I’m a pretty vivid dreamer).

What have you released so far? What else have you got coming out in the near future?

So far I’ve put out 2 EPs, a couple of singles and some remixes, the most recent one dropping on ‘Wah Wah 45s’ a couple of months ago. Looking to the future, I have a 5 track vocal EP that release plans are coming together for, a couple of remixes dropping later this year, and a 2 track vinyl project that will be announced soon.

How did you get into DJing/ producing, to begin with?

I’ve played instruments from a young age with my dad (a jazz trumpet player) and started messing around on Logic when I was 15. Everything’s super spread out in the countryside, but I wanted to pursue production further, so I moved out of home at 16 to study a music production course.

I only really started DJing when I moved to Bristol. I had been collecting records for sampling purposes for a while but had always wanted to get into DJing, so I got some awful old cheap turntables and a couple of jungle records and mashed them together repeatedly until they were kind of in time. I played my first DJ set at a tiny little pub in Bristol (big up The Bell and the Revinyl crew), and after that started getting some more bookings through friends of mine, the rest as they say is history.

What are three things on your studio shopping list?

A Universal Audio Apollo interface (although I have the SSL one atm which is really good but I just want more inputs!), maybe a drum kit so I can learn to play a bit better and record some simple live drums for my vocal projects, and a really nice vocal mic, maybe a Neumann U87 or Sontronics Aria.

Who or what have you sacrificed for your art?

Lots of energy, although that’s hardly a sacrifice, more a necessity! A normal body clock, social life, and sometimes my own well-being when I take on too much and end up burning out… I am aware of getting too tunnel-visioned with musical projects and try not to let it completely take over every aspect of my life.

What’s been your favourite place to play so far?

Probably the Trinity Garden party in 2019 with Indra MC. It was awesome, with sunny vibes and was so much fun.

Where can we hear your music?

Spotify, Soundcloud, etc.

What one song would feature on the soundtrack to your life?

Jeez, no idea! Soundtracks to certain situations might be easier – feeling down or angry? ‘Ghostin’ by Wesley Joseph or ‘Spiders’ by Badliana. Feeling upbeat and motivated? Probably something that bangs like Addison Grooves ‘Brand New Drop’ (Nikki Nair remix of course) or ‘Honey’ by Donaeo ft. Talib Kweli.

What motivates you?

Since I was really young I’ve had an undefinable urge and drive to work in music in some capacity. I used to think I was going to be a professional jazz musician or something, but as time has gone on this drive has morphed into different areas such as live sound engineering, production, DJing, etc. I wanted to do as many music-related things to earn a living as possible, whether this is to quash some status quo about women not being suited to that kind of work, I’m not sure!

But, I am internally motivated by the idea that a young girl might see a woman on the mixing desk at an event or producing in a studio and think it’s a possibility for them. Whereas when I was young, I didn’t really have any female role models and always felt a bit like I was rebelling in some way by being interested in the same things as all the boys I knew.

In the final year of secondary school, one of them told me I would never be successful if I pursued music production and would be in his boardroom in 10 years begging for a job, and I think as mean as that was, it somewhat stoked a fire up my ass to make sure that never happened. If you’re the person who said that and is reading this interview, jokes on you…

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

When I was 15, I sailed with my family to St Petersburg, Russia, from Devon on a 24ft classic boat that you couldn’t even stand up in.

Complete this sentence: At heart, I’m just an…

Awkward and anxious introvert.

What’s the best bit of advice you’ve received?

To not worry about what other people are doing and trust in myself and do my own thing! In general my partner Joe gives me some invaluable advice daily and I’m super grateful.

Where will you be in five years’ time?

31 😂 It’s hard to say because I’m already kind of working in music full time. I guess I would like to have done a full vinyl album release, maybe go on tour, and keep improving, developing and enjoying making music! I would also love to put on a surround sound immersive club night.

Dutchie’s ‘Yeah/Look Down’ is available to buy and stream on Bandcamp.