Loco Dice Debrief
Over the weekend BaiCai Productions presented one of the most sought-after artists in the electronic music scene. If you missed him, shame on you. Loco Dice, who made his first visit to China last summer at The Bank, has been a regular guest at some of the most legendary clubs and festivals worldwide.
The kinship between BaiCai and Loco Dice comes as no surprise. Over the last two years BaiCai has been dedicated to bringing innovative artists to the capital in efforts to further the understanding and appreciation of electronica in China. The main goal of the local production group is to put Beijing on the world club tour map alongside destinations like Berlin, Ibiza, New York, and Tokyo. If there's any DJ that can fulfill BaiCai's aim, it's Loco Dice.
that's Beijing: Your music has been described as "chunky", "tribal", and "bass-driven" house. How would you describe it yourself to someone who's never heard it?
Loco Dice: [laughs] I'd say there are a lot of ingredients in my music that fall under house, jazz, R and B, and some dubby stuff. But I'm totally against classifying my music into one category. People have to listen to my music to fully understand it.
that's: As an artist who's origins are in hip hop, how natural was the transition to house and techno music? What are the parallels and overlaps between the genres in your eyes?
LD: Hip hop is a variation of different styles of music like R and B, jazz, and soul. And house music is an adaptation of these styles as well, so it’s a close relationship. Then of course once you're at house music, the slide over to techno isn’t that far. From my experience, the older and more open-minded you become, the easier it becomes to make those connections.
that's: Obviously you have a passion for music rooted in urban environments. What cities have had the biggest impact on your productions?
LD: Really, I'm inspired by the world and all the cities I’ve traveled to. But there are two main cities (besides Düsseldorf, where my heart will always be) that have made so much of a difference in my life and inspired me to produce some of my best stuff. Those two cities are Ibiza and New York.
that's: You've been credited as creating cinematic soundscapes. What story does your new album 7 Dunham Place tell?
LD: The title of the album comes from the address of our studio in Brooklyn. It's not really a story about the city of New York, though. It’s the story of a guy who moved there for six months from Dusseldorf, set into 9 chapters from spring to winter. Moving there had always been a dream of Martin [Buttrich] and me. Being there really gave us a lot of creative energy. There’s just so much to take in. If you buy the album you can read little stories I wrote for each track. Everyone will interpret it differently, but anyone can follow me on that journey there. New York is such a rich and vibrant city. At the same time it’s not easy, it’s tough. But people can adapt. And if they let themselves go, they can really get into the flow of the city.
that's: How did your visit to Beijing last summer affect you as an artist? What is your sense of the electronic music scene in Beijing?
LD: I was really excited to go to Beijing and China period. For me, it's all the way on the other side of the world from Germany. I was hungry to connect with the people in Beijing. And I had a blast! BaiCai welcomed me like family and took me around the city. It was great to see so many Chinese people on the dance floor. I had been expecting more foreigners and embassy people. Those I met seemed to really understand my music. And I really enjoyed seeing all those people having a good time.
that's: You've been cited responsible for starting the minimal techno craze in Beijing. How do you feel about that?
LD: Really? I had no idea. I’m honored. If anything, I’ve always tried to create more accessibility to good electronic music, especially because there are so many people that can’t go to all the big clubs and parties out there. The underground is a microcosm as far as location goes, but my aim is to bring it over-ground. Why should people have to listen to commercial music of lesser quality when there’s so much better out there? I think there are a lot of people in China that have been listening to techno music for a long time. But there’s few compared to the total population. Right now the electronic music situation there is an unorganized scene in a huge country. It needs time, that's all. I don't have any expectations or agendas for this visit. All I really want when I come back is to see all the people return from before, dancing, and having a blast.