Hello Rockstars!
Today I wanted to talk about an EP that I vibe with very much, Dixon Hill and Telebikun’s new musical adventure “It’s Never Dark When You’re Here“.
I wanted to talk to the creators and delve more into each track and learn the story of how this wonderful EP came into fruition. I hope their music moves you as much as it moved me. Enjoy!
Main Article Photo By: Richard Castillo
All Other Photo’s Courtesy Of: A.B.Young.
VMS:
When did you start writing and performing your music and how did this collaboration between
you and Telebikun came to fruition.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
I’ve been exploring music for my whole life but only working on it seriously for the last 8 years or
so. テレビ君 (TBK) came out of nowhere, but before I knew it, he and Little Jammer were always
in my studio, sleeping on the couch.
I would make some music and TBK would sort of wake up from a half slumber and give me a thumbs up every once in a while Jammer chewed a hole in my headphone cable, but we’re still cool.
There is a big world waiting out there for TBK and Jammer, but our work isn’t done yet, so for now they have to stay on the couch.
VMS:
What artist or bands inspire you and your sound.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
Nobuo Uematsu, Kenji Kawai, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Brian Eno, Atom & His Package, and Pete Rock.
VMS:
What’s your writing process and inspiration for your lyrics.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
There is only one lyric on this album and it’s “WHOA!”. So I guess I like simplicity as long as it
conveys the correct emotion. I hope to write songs with more than one word in the future.
The chants on “At the Foot of the Obelisk” are me reading out of a black magic spell book I found, so those don’t count since I didn’t write them, but “evil” stuff is cool.
VMS:
What’s your overall theme or message of your music.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
On this album I really tried to tap into why I love music and what I love about making music. When I was a kid I had a small keyboard I would play with and figure out simple melodies and whatnot.
I tried to capture that spirit of innocence and wonder in this most recent album, with the hope that the music helps people feel free to explore their own creativity without self-judgement.
VMS:
Which local artist would you like to work with and why.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
I want to work with Weird Dough and Noewan and their homies. They are all top notch beat makers and sonic astronauts. I’m just a hermit so I don’t get out much.
VMS:
Let’s talk about your amazing EP Collaboration: It’s Never Dark When You’re Here with
Telebikun!
I would like you guys to walk me through the story of each song, and the process of making
each song, since I know this is all interconnected together.
Tracklisting:
“It’s Never Dark When You’re Here“:
For a while I was making beats to work with rappers. I set that goal and achieved it, and after 8
albums of dust boom bap, felt stagnant and unfulfilled creatively. Making this track broke me out
of the box I had put myself in.
This track started the whole idea for this album and is the sole reason it exists. The title and
concept of the album came to me before I was even done with the first arrangement. I let it sit
for a while to explore other sounds.
I was finally switching gears from the type of music I usually
make, and this track was the springboard into an amazing year of complete creative freedom.
I added the drums and the build up later on because the original demo was too ambient. I
wanted the track to feel like a firework, with a slow fuse burn that leads to powerful take-off and
an explosion of color.
Listen to: “It’s Never Dark When You’re Here” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/its-never-dark-when-youre-here
“Hammers in the Heart“:
This is pure Final Fantasy Worship.
I bought an old Sprinter 61’ keyboard from a nice old couple and promised them I would make
music with it. It has a great square wave-ish sound that is great for the retro video game vibe.
This was a moment where I sat in front of a keyboard, hit record, and just saw what came out of
me.
After the idea solidified I added drums and some Iron Maiden guitar harmonies and it was a
done deal. The meaning of the title for me is personal, and I hope that other people can develop
their own personal connection to this track.
Listen to “Hammers in the Heart” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/hammers-in-the-heart
“Momo in Solitude“:
I wanted this song to be the sonic equivalent of soaking in an Onsen. I made it while thinking
about a friend who was a proud introvert.
Listen to “Momo in Solitude” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/momo-in-solitude
“Little Jammer (And Some Cats I Used to Hang With)“:
This song is dedicated to my cat Swamp Thing. I found a toy keyboard with a Cheshire Cat
smile as the keys, and it only played “Meow” samples. I came up with the melody and the rest
was all overdubbed “Meows” provided by non-cats. This is a song for everyone’s cat. Also,
these drums knock way more than my hardest boom bap music 🙂
Listen to “Little Jammer (And Some Cats I Used to Hang With)” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/little-jammer-and-some-cats-i-used-to-hang-with
Generator 1: “You Must Be Alone“:
I made this in a state of deep depression. This track is the most articulate way to explain how I felt.
Listen to “You Must be Alone” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/generator-1-you-must-be-alone
Generator 2: “Everything for the Journey“:
This is me coming out of a deep depression. If you listen closely you can hear a sample of my
friends clinking their beers together.
Listen to “Everything for the Journey” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/generator-2-everything-for-the-journey
“Lost Again (and Again)“:
VMS: My personal favorite!
Dixon Hill and Telebikun: Thanks!
This is the most composed track on this album. While other songs were born from exploration
and feel, this one required me to practice a bit of theory to find my way through making it. I
loved the process of “working it out” and am quite happy with the end result. My buddy played
Cello on this track. I recorded him in his living room, in the background you might be able to
hear his wife washing the dishes.
Listen to “Lost Again (and Again)” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/lost-again-and-again
“At the Foot of the Obelisk“:
Kenji Kawai Worship. Final Boss Music. I sang myself hoarse for several days to get the chorus
parts sounding right.
Listen to “At the Foot of the Obelisk” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/at-the-foot-of-the-obelisk
“Bury Me in the Swamp“:
This is a song for my late dog, Kuma, who passed away before I finished it. It is his Viking
Funeral. The end of the song features the only true lyric on the album. It consists of myself and
around 50 other friends and family screaming.
At the end you can hear Kuma barking, which is what he would have done if 50 people were screaming in his house. The creation of this album was all wrapped up in the grief I felt at Kuma’s loss and this track
represents the end of the long road to acceptance.
Listen to “Bury me in the Swamp ” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/bury-me-in-the-swamp
“A Well“:
I wanted this track for the Comedown. It’s a totally unmixed and unedited improvisation, with mistakes and imperfections left in. it’s a reminder to calm down and trust your instincts.
Listen to “A Well” on Bandcamp:
https://telebikun.bandcamp.com/track/a-well
VMS:
Do you have a favorite song that you like to perform.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
I have yet to perform any of this music. I am working on getting that together. I am looking forward to performing everything!
Check out the 8-Bit Trailer for “It’s Never Dark When You’re Here” on YouTube:
VMS:
What do you want your audience to feel and experience at one of your live shows.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
A good time, a safe trip, and a deep thought.
VMS:
What does the future hold for Dixon Hill and Telebikun.
Dixon Hill and Telebikun:
We are inseparable. テレビ君 is my muse. We will keep doing what we love forever.
Check out the Full EP: “It’s Never Dark When You’re Here” on YouTube:
For more Information about Dixon Hill and Telebikun and this amazing new EP, please check out their website!
—–VMS