We had a conversation with two up-and-coming and talented guys. Damian Daley and Danny Dixon are OdD, two guys that have the same passion for music both inherited from their fathers who used to be reggae musicians back in the day. OdD has already released music on Moscow Records and Sol Asylum. Their most celebrated piece of music so far comes as a solid four-track EP, Photosynthesize, on their own limited edition OdD Music imprint, where they invited Romanian producer Barac to join them on the record by providing a track and a remix each. Their fifth release came just a few months after, titled Drum TECHNOlogy, a powerful ground stomper yet subtly minimal masterpiece. MEOKO looks forward to more sounds from these super producers! In the mean time we had a chat with b2b duo to find out more about their project and plans.
Hi guys. So first question...What does OdD actually stand for?
Damian Daley and Danny Dixon, If you take the two Ds and put them Back2Back you get an O.
DD+DD =D ² X ~ D²/B2B = OdD
Where did you two meet? How did you start making music together?
Damian was a sound technician for a party I was DJ’ing at. Naturally we got talking and had a lot in common. Damian was already making music, he approached me, as he liked the music I played and thought it would be cool to meet up at his studio. We started working on tracks from there and have never looked back.
You take inspiration from your fathers, who are both reggae musicians. But you guys are producing some raw electronic music. Why did you decide to take this path instead of following the one your father took?
As you said we took inspiration from them, but we were born in the age of electronic music, which has also inspired us. When our elders were at the peak of doing their thing the music was underground, raw, in illegal clubs and not tolerated by the mainstream, so I guess you can say we are following in their footsteps just in the modern day
Which producers of today and of the past do you take examples from and why?
In the past and the present we take inspiration from producers who like to take risks and innovate like, Drexciya, The Black Dog, The Prodigy, Ragga Twins, Wookie, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Jeff Mills, Robag Wruhme, Villalobos.
Last year you founded your own label, OdD Music. Can you tell us a bit about your journey? Why have you decided to use your own platform to release music and what does the label stand for?
The journey has been a long one, but we know we are just at the beginning. Unless you’re established, or you know someone, it’s hard to get labels to listen to your music let alone release it these days. Since Damian had the experience from Krunch Records, and vinyl making a comeback we had the confidence to start a new imprint. The symbol on the on the label represents the importance of the pineal gland, and our thirst for knowledge in all matters.
You sold 100 limited copies of your first ever release on your label. Today, there are only two left on Discogs, selling from £45. Is there a reason why you chose to sell a limited amount? How do you feel about these second hand prices?
We wanted our 1st release to be special and underground, hence the limited press and white wax. We feel bad about the second hand prices and we do plan to re release them when the time is right.
For your 4th EP, Photosynthesize you collaborated with Barac. Can you describe your relationship with him and why you chose him to be featured on this EP?
Barac is a close friend, fortunately we got introduced through a mutual acquaintance and we had a natural connection. The EP wasn’t planned, it just came about because of our similar preferences and view on life and music.
About a year ago you played at the Sol Asylum Showcase at Club der Visionaere in Berlin. How was it?
C.D.V. was amazing! It was the first time we got to play an eight hour set back to back to a full crowd. It gave us the chance to dig deep in our bags, and test out a lot of our own production.
Both having grown up in London, what is your favourite place to go out during the weekend?
These days we enjoy places like Half Baked, Toi Toi, Undersound, Fuse and obviously Fabric.
If you had limitless resources, what would you like to achieve, music wise?
If we had limited resources we could spend every spare minute making and mixing music, and throw really big parties. Or we could just relax on a beach all day sipping cocktails, OR maybe try to invent a new element on the periodic table haha …. Who knows!
What are your plans in the near future? Have you thought about other projects yet?
We have a new Sol Asylum. We also have an E.P coming out on a Techno label called ‘Urgent’.
Thanks guys!
Check out OdD's podcast exclusively for MEOKO HERE
More MEOKO?
