Brighton-based artist Dima Zouchinski blends raw grunge with punk and folk influences in a powerful new single, inspired by a surreal run-in with a drug dealer—now out with a gritty music video.
1. Your
new music video is set to release around April 2025. What can you tell us about
the track and its significance?
The track
is very edgy with Pixies and Radiohead style dynamics with just bass and drums
on the verses. The subject is based on an incident I have lived through when I
had an awkward run in with a drug dealer who was dealing in a concert venue and
when I bought the weed I was already stoned after puffing on a joint.
2.
Grunge has a distinct sound and emotional depth. What draws you to this genre,
and how do you put your own spin on it?
I always
found Nirvana influential to my songwriting. I am also into Russian Rock and
lots of artists I listen to do a lot of mixing and matching when it comes to
experimenting with their material. One example I can give is a band named
Piknik who have a Progressive Rock sound mixing Classical and Jazz also. With
me I'd like to think I have my own style having Punk Rock and Grunge as my main
go to genre and often interchanging to Blues and Folk.
3.
You’ve mentioned an unpleasant incident with a drug dealer as inspiration for
this song. Can you share how that experience shaped the lyrics and mood of the
track?
I remember
being agoraphobic after walking back to my room as a student and having
thoughts racing that I didn't want to be responsible for the possession of
weed. I remember chucking what I was given away in the end.
4. You
have over 100 original compositions and have been writing music consistently
since you were eleven. How do you keep finding fresh inspiration?
I write a
lot less now but I usually write about things that are either personal to me or
things that may bother me as well. Sometimes I may watch a film or read a book
to get inspiration also. Sometimes I see an unpleasant advert on TV and draw my
ideas around that scenario. To be honest inspiration does vary but here are my
examples.
5. Your
music has been described as “Billy Bragg-esque,” but you also mention Ian Dury
and Lemmy as influences. How do these artists shape your sound and songwriting?
Lemmy
Kilmister had an approach on bass where he played it loud and as a Rhythm
Guitar rather than a bass in the background. With Billy Bragg, I would say it
is the Folky vibes with open song subjects and occasional Political Commentary.
Sometimes I look into dark and edgy songwriting aspects from Lemmy as well as
his bass playing style.
6.
You’re known for your raw energy and intense guitar playing. How do you
translate that live performance energy into a recorded music video?
When I
recorded my music video last month, I had to mostly mime my vocals as the track
mix was playing over the top. We would move around on stage. The guitar parts
where I switch pedals are the only bits of instrumentation that were recorded
over the track.
7.
Listeners can expect a throwback to 1990s grunge. Are there specific bands or
albums from that era that heavily influence this release?
If I had to
mention a few, I would say definitely Nirvana's In Utero, Soundgarden's
Superunknown and Meat Puppets Too High To Die.
8. You
split your time between Brighton and Tonbridge. Do these locations influence
your music in any way?
I go to
Brighton mostly when I need to do a gig or rehearse or do a studio session for
example. Out of Tonbridge, I did write a song called 'House Of Figurines' based
on a decorated house on Cranford Road in my area. In Tonbridge, they did
sometimes do open mic events and jam nights on a monthly basis but they had to
be stopped as of recent. Still, I do like an environment where I know everyone
and everyone knows me.
9. With
your roots in Russia but having lived in the UK for most of your life, do
elements of both cultures find their way into your music?
I would say
so, yes. For example in my early childhood I would constantly listen to
Piknik's Egyptian album on tape as well as Alisa's Equinox. I would listen to
what music my parents listened to whilst I was growing up.
10.
What’s the biggest challenge in keeping grunge alive and relevant in today’s
music landscape?
I would say
I hardly do gigs but I do keep up with some modern bands these days such as
Hotwax, Kid Kapichi and Tigercub. I suppose people play in trios and duos these
days, so people cheat and use backing tracks to receive a fuller sound live.
One example being the band Snayx who have a bass and a kit on stage but the
melodies are recorded etc.
11.
Where can people watch the new music video, and do you have any live
performances planned to support its release?
I will
upload the video to YouTube once I get it back. I haven't got any gigs planned
this year until the end of July as far as I'm aware. When I do have gigs, I try
to advertise them on Spotify or Bandcamp.
12.
What’s next for you after this release? Any plans for an album, tour, or new
collaborations?
If I don't
do gigs, my idea is to work on my third album. I do not have any tours planned
as far as I'm aware, but will take things day by day.
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