Nov 8, 2023

Premiere: D Stone - Show Me [Cécille Records]

Amsterdam’s D Stone has been steadily rising up the ranks of the European House scene in recent years, racking up releases on the likes of Archie Hamilton’s Microhertz, Blind Vision and Airtime Records while also DJing at local hotspots like Thuishaven, De Binnenplaats and BRET in Amsterdam and further afield to Blaues Wesser in Frankurt, Germany.

D Stone now joins the Cécille imprint on 10th November with his latest collection of works, following on from recent material from Timmy P, Leon and Sidney Charles. Pre-order D Stone's 'Total Unison' EP here: https://www.beatport.com/release/total-unison-ep/4328399.

To celebrate D Stone's latest release, we share an exclusive premiere of 'Show Me' from the EP, along with our catch up with the Amsterdam-based talent:

Hello D Stone, how is life? We’ve been listening to your new EP on Nick Curly and Marc Scholl’s Cecille label on repeat lately. Could you please tell us about this EP, how it came together and how it sounds for those of us who haven’t had the pleasure to hear it yet?

Total Unison EP reflects where I currently stand in terms of sound. The A-side represents the melodic, disco-influenced aspect, while the B-side showcases my deeper techy side.

The A1 main track called “Total Unison” is a track produced with heavy influences from 70s disco, drawing sample inspiration from the song "Human" by Brief Encounter, produced by John Richbourg. The concept behind “Total Unison” was to create a more timeless high-energy track that can be played in both house and disco sets. My idea was to introduce a top-line melody in the first break, creating a moment that makes me pause and realize where I stand. The sampled vocal also from the Brief Encounter provides a calm moment, creating a peaceful part within the song. Ultimately, the track leads to a euphoric break where all these emotions are released and I can let go of everything as if it's a moment of liberation. The gradual addition of brass instruments and the build up of bassline, creates a strong sense of release. That's why this track has always served as the closing track of my set.

The A2 is a track that draws inspiration from 90's house, radiating an energetic vibe through a fusion of high-energy synths and brass instruments, elements reminiscent of the A1 of this EP. On the other side of this EP, you'll find the B1 & B2, two more tech-infused tracks with a rolling groove. These tracks are characterized by their heavy reliance on drums, making them the perfect addition as fillers within my DJ sets.

You’re a resident of Amsterdam and rising up the ranks of the Dutch scene alongside some modern heavyweights like Chris Stussy and ANOTR, were you born in Amsterdam or you moved there for the club scene and for those unlucky folks who didn’t go there yet, could you tell us a bit about the amazing Amsterdam electronic music scene?

Well, to be honest, I only moved to Amsterdam about 4 months ago, partly because of the music scene. I used to live in Utrecht for quite a while, but I believe that Amsterdam is the go-to spot for the electronic music scene in the Netherlands. With numerous established clubs like Lofi, Shelter, Bret, and a wide array of artists calling this city home, there's always something to explore. Besides the permanent venues, there are also many pop-up projects that often turn out to be unexpectedly fantastic.

What I really appreciate about this city is that many of these locations are situated in the outskirts, mainly in the North and the western part of town. These are also the areas where you can stumble upon some exciting development projects, such as charming restaurants and breweries. For me, Amsterdam feels like a small village within the music world; everyone knows each other, and everything is quite accessible. It's what makes me feel right at home in this city.

Your biography tells us that you grew up with a lot of musical influences and can play play multiple instruments, could you please expand on this and how it has played a role in your production of electronic music?

Making music has been a part of my life since I was a child. I started playing the guitar and piano at a young age. Back in the day, my family and I used to spend our summers on a hippie campsite in Ibiza for a longer period. It was here that I had the opportunity to learn from incredible musicians from all around the world. These years had a profound impact on my musical vision.

It wasn't long after, around the age of 16, that I really got into electronic music, particularly House music. I had always dreamt of learning how to produce because I felt at times limited just playing instruments; I wanted to create recordings. Nowadays, I often integrate my instruments into my productions. I frequently play my own keys or record a guitar riff, which I then resample. However, I also use my instruments in a more experimental manner, like in the B1 track "2 Be Free" from this EP. The down-pitched chord sound you hear during the break of this track was created by hitting my electric guitar while slowly depressing the vibrato arm. Furthermore, the vocals you hear are spoken by me but also significantly pitched down. I love experimenting outside the box like this; it always leads to unique and serendipitous moments.

Your new EP feels heavily influenced by the House sound of Chicago and artists in particular like Gemini or Derrick Carter come to mind when listening to your EP, have you been digging deep into the history of House as you’ve started to produce more?

Since I started DJing and producing House music, I've indeed been delving deeper into the roots of this genre and developed a genuine appreciation for the '90s house sound. The tracks I play are almost always records from that era, and I draw a lot of inspiration from them. I often visit record stores in Amsterdam, and I consistently stumble upon music I've never heard before. It sometimes feels like there's an endless wellspring of music; there's just so much incredible music created that keeps you from ever feeling exhausted by it. What truly resonates with me about the sound of the '90s is its inherent imperfection. To me, imperfection adds more humanity and depth to the music, making it much more captivating to listen to.

After this new EP ‘Total Unison’ hits the shelves, what is next for you? Any other releases in the pipeline or important shows planned for the coming winter days that you’re able to share with us?

Certainly, on the day of this release, I'll also be making my debut at Shelter, which is something I'm really looking forward to. I've got a few other shows lined up this month, including Thuishaven, one of my favorite places to perform. As for releases, in two months, I'll be putting out the second installment of the Stone Series. It's my own series featuring tracks that I release myself, and it will be a 4-track EP. Additionally, early next year, I have a release on a very cool label, but I can't reveal much about it at the moment.

Aside from all of this, I'm working on a Trip-Hop album. I'm currently studying at the conservatory, and in this environment, I'm working on bringing this album to life. It's scheduled for release next year.

Lastly, can you share with us a record that’s been kicking up a storm on the dance floors you’ve been playing for recently, one of those tracks that shifts the mood of the whole room?

Certainly, I can share that with you. It's the track "Beats & Djembe" by Mark Francis (Organ Mix). This is one of the newer tracks I've been playing, but it always makes a significant impact on my entire set. As the title suggests, the track revolves around the beat and djembes, creating a real reset moment in your set. However, as soon as the organ kicks in and that brilliant solo accompanies it, the crowd always gets back into it. I play this track in both my opening and closing sets. It keeps working, and I'm sure it will for a while.