INTERVIEW: Dharma

The following interview explores the creative vision, musical influences, and emotional architecture behind Home Trip, the new EP by Dharma released on La Mano’s Sound Du Jour, delving into the producer’s relationship with breakbeats, composition, collaboration, and sonic storytelling.

“Home Trip” conveys a euphoric and intimate feeling, balancing breakbeats with R&B-tinged vocals. What was the emotional or conceptual starting point for the track?

I wanted to work on something that was driving and danceable, but equally lush. I had been experimenting with that balance for quite some time and I think I achieved it pretty well.

You’ve alternated between orchestral performances and releases on labels like R&S and Permanent Vacation. How does your classical and musical background influence your approach to rhythm and melody in contemporary electronic music?

My history in classical music has definitely influenced the way in which I approach writing, of course its a bonus to be classically trained to some degree but seeing my computer as the orchestra and myself as the composer is a perspective I often find incredibly helpful.

The EP seems to lean heavily towards breakbeat structures, while still maintaining solid melodic narratives. What draws you back to breakbeats at this current stage of your sound?

I am a sucker for a breakbeat and my tracks often head towards that direction. They allow space for other parts to stand out, which I often find interesting.

Hammer’s remix of the title track takes things in a more analog, progressive direction. What was your reaction to his reinterpretation, and how involved were you in that exchange?

I just let Rory do his thing and I was incredibly happy to hear what he had cooked up! It’s always fun to hear another artist’s representation of your work and he did a fantastic job.

Tracks like “Tundra” and “Techno Bagpipes” have a cinematic, almost escapist quality. Do you think about your music in visual terms when you produce, or do those images emerge later? In your releases, there's a strong sense of emotional uplift, even in more club-oriented contexts. How do you balance dancefloor functionality with narrative or emotional depth?

I don’t actively visualise too often but rather perceive the piece as an abstract journey. With this I aim to guide the emotions of the listener through this journey! I find attempting balancing this approach with dancefloor functionality a fun task.

Following your previous work with Sound Du Jour de La Mano, what does this collaboration with another label bring you creatively that others might not have, and how has that evolved with this EP?

It’s always great to work with different labels and I'm grateful for Carlo's support. He gave me a lot of freedom to release my work and provide an E.P I feel truly represents my sound.

Dharma: Instagram - Soundcloud - Facebook

Sound Du Jour: Instagram - Soundcloud - Website