Dolphin, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer, producer, engineer, arranger, MC, visual artist. Known to many through his music which ranges from punk funk to hip hop, Dolphin has an extremely wide range of both musical influences and efforts. With influences that range from David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" era, James Brown and the Jb's, Funkadelic, Prince, Shuggie Otis, Frank Zappa, Nick Drake, Sun Ra, Joy Division, the Cure, Mobb Deep, Jay Dilla of Slum Village, The Velvet Underground, Bad Brains, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Kraftwerk, Roy Ayers, Sly Stone, and Joni Mitchell, one never knows exactly what type of music Dolphin will record and present. Equally as complex is his style of recording to achieve his sound, which could range from a mid seventies analog recording techniques used by the Beatles and the Stones ("Everything is live instruments, from the drums to the guitars, no loops or electronic conditioning, it's naturally textured before it ever sees a computer") to making hip hop beats in the vein of Dj Premier, Pete Rock, or the late great James "Dilla" Yancey ("That is a completely different technique, I make all the beats before they ever see a computer using various methods from 'chopping' sounds to live instruments, the traditional way of making real beats"). Dolphin scores, writes, and performs all his own material preferring to be at the helm of all studio and live efforts. "I revere people like Duke Ellington, Prince, and Miles Davis who worked tirelessly and took the lead on all their recordings. They rarely slept, maintained focus, and now have some of the largest bodies of work available. I very rarely allow anyone in the studio while I'm creating, as it is the perfect opportunity to strip myself of all imagery and personal presentations. It's perhaps my most intimate and honest moment with myself".
On finding inspiration: "Everything is my muse, from walking to a record store, to the Sun showing face again. I find everything inspirational, a fuel for energy, from life's lowest points to it's highest points. I find solace in the fact I am chosen to take this inspiration and use it to create and inspire others to bring a positive life force to this world. Music given to me is the greatest gift from the most high, the best way to honor this is to give it back to the world. To be used as the medium between the known and the unknown."
How did you begin in music? "I am a self taught musician. I started when I was young and eventually moved from one instrument to the next. Playing instruments and making music has always been a very natural process for me, it's more about communication than just playing, and it's about accepting the responsibility of bringing light to a very dark world."
How did you chose the name Dolphin? "Dolphins are perhaps the most intelligent animals on earth. They survive in dual worlds, both above and below the water. They are the peacekeepers of the Oceans. They are natural singers; they communicate with both animals and humans, and use their music to govern the aquatic world. Dolphins are also one of the few animals unafraid to confront sharks. Some say swimming with Dolphins can heal you, some say they are otherworldly, and some say they can read your minds. They are playful; they are friendly, yet they are natural self-defenders. They are the ambassadors to two worlds and lovers of beauty."
***********TODAY'S MATH: DESTROY THE INDUSTRY***********
