A chat with Dynoo about Gum Dragon

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In the last episode of the Beyondjazz podcast we invited Dynooo to our studios. He’s running the hottest music store in hometown Gent, and is on the verge of releasing a new project: “Gum Dragon”. No escaping the fact we had to invite him for a little chat and guestmix. Here’s some extra info for those not that fluent in Dutch. (We can’t blame you.)

Gum Dragon EP and release party

One of the first times we got introduced to Dynooo, was through his Sol Waters project on the City Wurl label of Billy Palmier. While back then he was both an mc as beat producer, the latest years have seen him focusing on producing. “Rooted in hip hop’s rich soil, but definitely branching out beyond the edges of the genre, Dynooo’s music is for fans of the likes of Daedelus, Samiyam, Hudson Mohawke and next-gen beatcrafters alike.” That includes us.

His live shows at the Release event (a joint effort between Brussels crews Onda Sonora, On-Point and Laid Back), and at the Pluto Festival, already gave us an impression of his sound today. Jay Scarlett and Cinnaman‘s Beat Dimension compilations also featured a track by him.
That sound is now coming to you on wax. Dynooo: “The upcoming EP is called ‘Gum Dragon’. It’s not a complete style switch from previous own releases. It’s been more of a gradual process, looking for a sound that … well, is less boring than the shit I used to make (laughs).”

Dynooo’s Gum Dragon is centered around Fuh Real, a song that features Swedish singer Naboobia laying down a floaty vocal over a high-end 80’s r&b inspired club banger. The rest of the mini-album is a collection of glitching electronics that ranges from soothing (Furbee) to smashing (Cawf Drop) and psychedelic (the Beyondjazz favourite: Will Flattened). Make sure to download the sampler of the EP.

Dynooo: “The music has left for the vinyl pressing now, and will hopefully be available next week. Hopefully, because next week we’re having a release party in Antwerp. I’ve invited Cupp Cave and Richard Colvaen from Bretzel Zoo. It’s in Kavka, on the 22nd of January.”

Next to the Gum Dragon EP, you might want to watch out for a bunch of other releases Dynooo’s got in the pipeline for 2010, including a feature on a project of Cupp Cave. Dynooo: “And hopefully a more live shows.”

Mac Fly

Since November 2008, Gent is one shop richer. In the Mac Fly concept store Dynooo sells music, clothing, kicks and other random cool stuff. When asked if he opened up this store in search for a place he’d love to go shopping himself, Dynooo says: “Well, that’s it, in fact. Dat heb je goed gezegd.”
Every now and then there’s expositions. Dynooo: “A few weeks ago we did an expo by Melika. She’s a student photography of whom we displayed some of the recent work. In the past we also set up expositions in cooperation with Laid Back. Those were more focusing on street art.”
Dynooo: “For future events at the store I’m thinking of maybe doing a listening session around the Gum Dragon ep. Those things just happen spontaneously.”

The biggest selling item in the shop has been the Mac Fly shirts and sweaters, so far. Dynooo: “I wouldn’t call it a clothing line, but it sure would be fun if it evolved in that direction. I’d need some funding for that, but yeah, it’s cool to know people appreciate the prints I’ve designed myself.”
We suggest you to subscribe to the Mac Fly blog or check Dynooo’s tweezies to stay informed.

Download the mix

Dynooo’s guestmix for Beyondjazz is a one hour trip with 31 beats going all over the place. Dynooo: “The mix is a bit of everything. Music I love and want to get heard. During a live show I’d go a bit heavier, but the blueprint of this one is definitely the same.”
Check for music by Rustie, 8bitch, GLK, Flying Lotus, the (“much overlooked”) Two FingersCarlos Nino, and a couple of Dynooo exclusives. Head over to the podcast to check out the full mix.