Dustman Dilemma | Interview
‘Third Sigh’ is a brand new album by rock in opposition group Dustman Dilemma. It’s complex, difficult at times, but very rewarding.
“The story of a character and his wandering into inner and outer realities.”
You have a brand new album out, ‘Third Sigh’. Are you excited about it? How long did you work on it?
We’re really thrilled about it. It’s been really pleasant to work on this new chapter of the Dustman’s story, and we’re also very excited to release our first vinyl. We’ve been working on ‘Third Sigh’ for 2 years, actually, we really began right after the second one (‘On Second Thought’) came out.
Was there a certain concept behind it?
The whole Dustman project is a concept, which is the story of a character and his wandering into inner and outer realities. In this particular episode, the Dustman is torn apart. His mind separates from his body, probably because of another character called Solitude, character he met in the first album and fell in love with. The album is about the very moment of the split, a few seconds, a sigh.
Let’s discuss the formation of Dustman Dilemma. How did you get together to form this project that has been active now for almost ten years?
On the very very beginning, Dustman Dilemma was the name Nico Tritschler chose for his musical concept experiences, in 2006. Then Max Metais (guitarist on the first and third album) got involved in the creation process of what would be ‘First Trip to the Roaring Plains’, the first album. Nico and Max worked on this for almost a year and then invited Sam Frin, saxophonist they saw on stage, to join them. Virgile Delesculier (bass player on the first and second album) then joined the adventure aside Laurent Vastel. At this time, Pierre Blin (keyboards on second and third album) recorded us with Antoine Quoniam.
For five years, between the first and the second album, we’ve been searching for a new composing way and a new organisation. We definitely wanted the band to be less dependent on a strict instrumentarium. We also wanted every member of the band to feel free to participate on an album without being bound to the band itself.
Now, Dustman Dilemma is centered on Nico, Sam and Pierre, who compose and record most instruments. Many other musicians, friends, join us on the albums or on stage. All of them are totally included in a kind of “extended” Dustman Dilemma, with also Yannick Lecoeur for the covers, or Thomas Lefebvre from the label L’Etourneur etc.
“Continuous story, even if each album has its own color, instruments, writing principles, rules…”
Would it be possible to draw parallels between ‘First Trip To The Roaring Plains’ or ‘On Second Thought’ and your latest release?
Obviously yes, it is a continuous story, even if each album has its own color, instruments, writing principles, rules… For example, the tracks on this one had to be more vocal, more like songs than the others. We also wanted to create a dichotomy between the “mind” tracks and the “body” tracks, and, in order to do this, more winds for the body, and more electronic sounds for the mind.
Can you share some further details how your latest album was recorded?
It’s been recorded in multiple sessions and we did it on our own. We recorded in a countryside house, and in an urban studio. It was pretty easy for us to use the studio considering some of us work in there, that’s why we had the opportunity to organise many small laboratories and record sessions.
As for ‘On Second Thought’ we needed this flexibility. A long-time process and many recording sessions to try out new composing methods, a lot of improvisation, switching between the different instruments we practice, inviting friends…
Are any of you involved in any other bands or do you have any active side-projects going on at this point?
Sam is involved in countless bands, we don’t even remember the names, and we are not even sure he does, hehe. Well, let’s say Profundo Scorpio, or Maalax (where we also can find Max Metais and Bruno Godard, bassoon on ‘Second Thought’). Pierre Blin has his own solo project called Heart in Mouth and released two albums so far. And Nico is about to release a solo album called ‘Willows’. By the way, Willows is set up in the same “universe” as Dustman, and many references can be found in the lyrics.
How pleased were you with the sound of the album?
Considering the mess it is, the numerous instruments and the variety of intentions, Antoine Quoniam did a really great job ! He did his best, and he’s a boss.
What are some bands/musicians that have a big influence on you?
Many! The Beatles, King Crimson, Shora, Coil, Zappa, Matt Elliot, Tom Waits, Mice Parade, Robert Wyatt, Moondog, Ennio Morricone, Black Heart Procession, Kayo Dot, Extra Life, The Residents…
How are you coping with the current pandemic? It’s impossible to predict, but still, what are some future plans for you?
Unfortunately we had to cancel 2 tours, with Svin and Zezette, and don’t have the opportunity to promote our album… That sucks. Still we are working on the fourth album, already entitled ‘Forthcoming’, and are about to create the soundtrack for a short film.
Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?
Pierre has been listening to Imperial Triumphant lately, and Scott Walker. Nico has been listening a lot to Shannon Wright, almost all albums, and Talk Talk – ‘Spirit of Eden’ over and over. Sam regularly listens to the Blade Runner soundtrack or the latest Mike Patton’s album with ‘Vannier’.
Thank you. Last word is yours.
Thank you! Dustman Dilemma
Klemen Breznikar
Dustman Dilemma Facebook / Bandcamp
L’étourneur Official Website / Facebook / Bandcamp / YouTube
