Also the lead singer of the French pop band MJ 12, Dimitri von Büren is drawing recent acclaim for his solo material. The laid-back track “Moonlight Confession” marks Dimitri’s first self-produced effort, “inspired by all the chillpop / bedroom pop moods,” that have been on his radar lately.
“I’ve recently been impressed by the emergence of the bedroom pop scene, providing many artists, recording songs of quality at home and broadcasting it from their room to large worldwide audiences through the social media,” he says. “As what I love the most about music is writing my own songs and expressing my feelings through it, I decided to take my chance and started to write and record new songs on my own at home. This gives me an important freedom of choice in the sounds and instruments I use, as I’m singing, and also playing guitar, bass, and synth.”
Before this solo endeavor, von Büren founded the indie rock band –MJ 12- in 2014. They released their first EP in 2017, Live From outer space, which is available here. –MJ 12- have played more than 20 live concerts, mainly great venues in Paris. They also published two successful movie clips on Alien Greys.
The artist’s influences are eclectic. “I have always been a huge fan of psychedelic music, from rock like The Doors, to folk like Nick Drake. I also grew up alongside the 00’s indie music scene that has always influenced me a lot (The Libertines, The Strokes, The Kooks). Now my tastes are evolving, and I’m liking more and more psychedelic pop, jazz, soulful and groovy/lounge music, as represented by several current artists like Mac DeMarco, Cosmo Pyke, Brad Stank, Boy Pablo, Rex Orange County or Yellow Days.”
“I am also a huge fan of world music, especially all that refers to Afrobeat music like Fela Kuti, but I keep these ideas that for future songs and melodies.”
Dimitri conceives songs like a trip. “I want the auditor to be absorbed and carried away by the melody and the atmosphere my music. Which means variations on intensity and plays on vocal harmonies and background instruments. The main aesthetic I am aiming for is grace and onirism.”
“Moonlight Confession” marks Dimitri’s first self-produced effort. “I started with finding this guitar riff that we can hear from very the beginning of the song to 02:30,” he says. “I found it very catchy and I wanted to keep it played repeatedly. Then I added that hammering bass, which combined with the drums, gives the song a strong and groovy rhythmic basis. The synths and guitar licks are here to enrich the melody and the harmonies. Eventually, I wanted the outro to be progressive and heady.”
“The title of the song ‘Moonlight Confession’ refers to my habit to start picking up my guitar and writing songs late at night. This is the part of the day I am the more inspired when my thoughts and feelings are the most authentic and free.”
Links
facebook.com/VonBurenMusic
twitter.com/VonBurenMusic
instagram.com/dimitri_vonburen
soundcloud.com/dimitrivonburen
bandcamp.com/releases
