What actually is Psychedelic Hip Hop? “It’s looking into hip hop music a lot deeper. Not just the quality of music but the thoughts of the person who is actually listening to it.” So were the words of hip hop and visual artist Dutch the Dreamer, whose album release party was a blockbuster hit inside the walls of LIB Studios. The Connecticut native is intent on on taking the East Coast – along with the rest of the country – by storm with his masterfully stimulating approach to music.
When it comes to music and the arts, is hip hop your very first love?
Dutch: I always was a musician and artist. My family is very musically inclined. Living at home, it was never unusual for one of us to have the radio blaring at 3am! My mother bought my first drum set and I started taking lessons in elementary school.
Over the course of a few years, I learned to play the trumpet, the saxaphone.. anything I could touch, I wanted to learn how to play.. and pretty much did. I was self-taught in instruments for the most part. 10 years later, it remains a major influence in my work today.
One night, a friend gave me a beat to rhyme to and the crowd went crazy. I decided that hip hop was something I loved and wanted to pursue. It wasn’t long before I quit art school and continued with hip hop as my medium for artistic passion.
That’s pretty incredible. Given your drive, would you consider hip hop your all-time favorite music?
Dutch: I’m into music full force. I really love rock music from the 60s and 70s and aso hard rock, EDM and even jazz. Although I’m a hip hop artist, it isn’t unlikely to find checking out Mozart at a classic music theater on any given day! (laughs)
Do you prefer to work alone when developing your very own sounds?
Dutch: I work with a lot of different people. I can’t think of everything, so I really liek to be around others who have different sounds and come up with something that is truly creative.
Any big inspirations?
Kid Cuddy was an artist who made me really want to do hip hop. His individual sound made me realize you can do hip hop “differently” than other people expect. Rapping about money, cars, etc. – it all sounds pretty lame to me. Cuddy’s “Soundtrack to My Life” really inspired me because if he could do hip hop differently.. so could I.
Pink Floyd and Modest Mouse are also big influencers, along with The Eagles. I am consistently inspired by lesser known artists I run into in through my experiences in the music industry.
I met Chris Webby from CT through my sponsor, a clothing company The Highest Culture. He told me to keep doing music, because you never know where it can take you. It might seem like you’re chasing nothing at times, but he advised me to keep at it. I’ve also opened up for the Coke Boys. For the most part, I don’t go out of my way to make big artists “like” me; I am more intersteed in paving my own way.
Since you are into so many different genres of music and art.. do you call yourself a rapper, or an all-around artist?
I call myself a hip hop artist. To me, “rapper” is a better label for artists who like to rhyme about money and cars.
What do you think of lyricists like Jay-Z, who consistently talk about money and fame these days?
When it comes to a rapper such as Jay-Z, it’s understandable. He is at a very high point in his life. In my opinion, lots of unknown artists start out rapping about shutting down the club and money, despite the fact they are unknown anyplace but their hometown. Being flashy is fine – if that’s what is going on in your career at the moment. Just don’t be overbearing about it. The goal is definitely to do what you love and make money off of it, but don’t try ot give the illusion of an “instant” millionaire. Fame just doesn’t happen overnight.
What message do you wish to portray through music, and what advice would you give to other artists who are just starting out?
Mishandling the internet by tweeting your mixtape to everyone is just too much. The important part is to build support around those close to you, then branch out to the rest of the planet. When I get 1000 listens on an online track without blasting it out to any and everyone – it means a lot to me.
Back in the day, I would rap about smoking weed. Now, I want to portray a postive message and make a difference in the music industry through my fans.
Future plans for 2014-15?
I hope to be on the road a lot more! Music is great b/c it gives you the ability to travel almost anywhere. I would love to do shows on the west coast and have another two to three projects under my belt (at least). The difference between doing open mics and making a career out of hip hop is intense. I think i’m paving my own way.
Are you looking to sign with record label anytime soon?
I work as my own label, so I do not have restrictions on my creative process. Though I don’t have the advertising label dollars behind me, it is great to be able to advertise myself on my own and stay open to opportunities that could come along.
