Two weeks ago, electronic music prodigy Dion Timmer presented his latest collaboration with Excision, Dabadabadabadaba. The Dutch-born producer, who represents a fascinating intersection of Gen-Z creativity and electronic music culture and has been releasing tracks on notable labels for a decade, including Never Say Die, Monstercat, Wakaan, and, most recently, Subsidia, which puts him at over thirty singles to date, tells us how he has been very inspired lately, in a more mature but still fun version of himself. We now speak with him and inquire about how hit songs are created in the current music scene as we learn more about his projects for 2025.
From his latest track in collaboration with Excision, Dabadabadabadaba, which was originally written as an exclusive intro for the back-to-back sets they have done, to the importance of staying true to oneself in an industry that constantly changes, experimenting with new formulas, and enjoying the creative process while maintaining the illusion. In the interview you can read below, we talk about many topics and analyze the game rules in the music scene. “The rise of social media has definitely changed the dynamics in the industry, and it has been an amazing tool for artists to share what they do and connect with people who have never heard of them before,” he says.
Sending an empowering message to all those who are struggling to consolidate their project, encouraging them not to give up and continue betting on their creative vision, the artist behind hits like Shiawase or Rescue, which have millions of streams, tells us more about his plans for next year. “I have an album ready, full of brand-new music, all very inspired by what I used to do during Enter Achroma but with a fresh and grown-up spin.”
Dion, two weeks ago you presented your latest collaboration with Excision, Dabadabadabadaba, which delivers an intricate fusion of genres that pushes sonic boundaries. How has the feedback from your fans been in the last few days?
It's been amazing! I'm really glad this tune found a home. It was originally written as an exclusive intro for the back-to-back sets we have done, but after showing it to Monstercat, they loved the energy it had and had the brilliant idea to release it as a part of their new collaboration with Beat Saber VR. I've been seeing tons of videos of people playing the song in the game, and it's been so cool to see people absolutely shredding it!
Blending the hypnotic with the chaotic, the production of the track evolves into an auditory journey, seamlessly weaving through dynamic trap-infused drops, electrifying house rhythms, and warehouse-ready techno elements. How has the development process of this single been, and what is the moment that you have enjoyed the most?
I love that description. As mentioned before, this track was originally just an intro and only had the first drop. We wanted to make something special for the intro that's not just the screeches and groans we are known for, so we started brainstorming and designing some sounds. Eventually, we ended up making this toothbrush-like wobble, which had a lot of space in the low end for a fat 808 sub. Besides that, I also found this ridiculous vocal sample of someone scatting, which we chopped up for the pre-drop. Excision wrote the psy-trancey second drop after we decided that this one was too fun not to finish.
“We wanted to put something down that really makes the crowd go ‘woahhhh’ when it drops live, and I think we hit the right note with this one,” you said a few days ago when asked about Dabadabadabadaba. What makes a track surprise an audience when it's played live? Is there any master formula or an element that helps achieve this mission?
That’s a great question! There is definitely a formula to it, but it's not a single simple one. This formula evolves with the times and is different with every crowd you are standing in front of. Some stuff that you'd think is absolutely ridiculous and would never work live will just magically work someday, and stuff you are used to working might just fall flat. In the forefront, it's all about staying true to yourself and what you want to express. The people who come to see you are there because they like what you do, and they will be incredibly hyped when you are doing your thing and playing music you love. For the more technical and less dreamy answer: we really wanted to express hype-party vibes with this one while also expanding our boundaries a little bit.
With this specific track, we made sure to build a long build-up filled with elements to make everyone get ready for the drop. A completely new main sound gets introduced right when the first drop hits; that sound is not heard anywhere before that point, which helps with the surprise element. We made sure to fill the intro with sounds that are in the same pattern as the main drop sound, making the transition from the intro to the drop a little smoother as you are not changing the rhythm. We didn't want people to have to think too much with this one. This song is written for the rave, for the VR grind, for the people!
The speed of releases in the music industry has accelerated a lot in recent years. This trend is added to the unstoppable phenomenon of globalization and the constant emergence of new artists, which means that thousands of new songs are released every week. Is it difficult to offer something new in the current context? Has everything already been invented?
Oh yeah, stuff is definitely going fast right now. I think the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and your vision. If you are making music that you love and have fun with, people will catch on, and you will get the spotlight. A huge thing is believing in yourself. I see homies like Tape B absolutely blowing up because they are really just doing their thing and shining, and this is after the short-content boom. Sometimes stuff might feel stale, and it might feel like everyone is doing the same thing, but eventually, someone will bring something new to the table, which will inspire a whole new generation of styles, genres, and producers. Stuff will keep branching and evolving as long as we keep sharing our music.
I understand that this collaboration is very special for you, as Excision has been your mentor and close friend since you started at around age fourteen. Tell us how this happened. How do you remember the first conversation you had?
X has been a big brother figure for nearly half of my life now, and I honestly could not have anyone better guide me into this crazy forest. He and his family have really helped me grow as a person and as an artist, I consider them my family and I am forever grateful to have people like that when you're so far from home. I am from Europe originally and barely had any concept of North American life when I first came here, so they introduced me (and are still introducing me) to various concepts and ideas that we don't really have or are a little different in Europe, like tipping, travelling, pulled pork, and chipotle mayo.
We initially met on Skype after my friend AFK sent him some of my music. He was impressed with what I was doing at my age and wanted to work with me on some tunes together. I did not have any sense of where I wanted to go with my sound back then, which was frustrating to me at the time. I was really just making loud noises with drums, and it felt like I was really only good at that. X decided he wanted to help me find my sound and develop it, which is how he eventually took me under his wing.
He has undoubtedly spent the majority of his career being a leader and innovator in the bass music scene, helping to create a passionate dubstep community. What do you like most about him, and why do you think his project has so many followers all over the world?
I think the biggest thing about X is that he is very hard-working while still being genuine. He has gained so much popularity by consistently growing his sound, shows, and brand, as well as allowing people around him to grow. I remember him telling me that he was working on building a festival; I thought he was joking. He was not, and now we have Lost Lands, which is one of the biggest bass music festivals in the world. And even within that, he is constantly working on new stages, new ideas, and new ways to make the festival better and more fun for everyone. I can tell it frustrates him when stuff doesn't go completely smoothly, but instead of giving up, he just works harder and tries to make it better. His persistence and love for the music and the people are why he's now an absolute staple in the bass music scene.
Let's talk a little more about your professional journey to get to where you are now. You taught yourself production via YouTube and production forums and built a global fanbase through platforms like Discord and Twitch. How have these tools helped you connect with fans, and do you think the game is changing in the music industry?
The rise of social media has definitely changed the dynamics in the industry, and it has been an amazing tool for artists to share what they do and connect with people who have never heard of them before. I initially started posting mixes containing unreleased music of mine on SoundCloud. DJs that would want to play these unreleased songs would have to contact me, and I would send them the tunes. This was a great way to get my music out there and get people to know me. Now we are in the age of TikTok and Instagram, where some aspects are different, but the core idea is still the same. Be yourself! Don't be afraid to show people what you love doing, and people will catch on if it's dope. That's long-term happiness.
For all those who are fighting to make a name for themselves in this sector, working hard on their projects and betting everything on their creative vision, what advice would you give them?
Do not give up; things can literally change overnight. Especially in times like this, where everything is so fast-paced, it just needs one push to get you out there, which will absolutely motivate you even more. Tracks that have been out for ages can mysteriously blow up, or someone established might just randomly get you in their algorithm and hit you up for a collaboration. Anything can happen as long as you keep active.
Ten years ago you began releasing tracks on notable labels, including Never Say Die, Monstercat, Wakaan, and most recently Subsidia. How has everything changed so much since then?
Right now you can actually get incredibly far by just self-releasing your songs, especially if you already have some push going by yourself. Some services let you put songs out on major streaming services without being approved by a label. That being said, it's still incredibly fun to be part of a music label and have that sense of community. It can spawn incredible collaborations with other artists, and it’s great exposing yourself to the fanbases of different labels since they all have their own social channels and crowds.
And four years ago, when the global pandemic hit, you released your first full-length album, Enter Achroma, on Deadbeats. What do you think of when you listen to it now?
Enter Achroma is probably one of the most important pieces I have released; it kind of signifies me properly growing up into an adult. I am actually currently taking a lot of inspiration from the headspace I was in since I really felt like I was expressing myself properly back then. For the last couple of years I have been trying to express an idea that has been difficult lately, so I am getting incredibly happy looking back at what I did during the Enter Achroma era and thinking about how I could evolve that in the new 2025 version of me.
Beyond music, you’re a fashion designer and have created your own clothing and merchandise line, including the Very Extra brand, designed entirely by yourself. Why did you decide to start this project, and what products do you sell?
Correct! Although I did most of the designing for Very Extra, I am forever grateful for my amazing illustrator/graphic design friends who helped me with assets and inspiration. I have always had a big love for fashion, clothes, and the expression that comes with it. I started the Very Extra concept not long after I got to America as a way of expressing what I like to wear and giving people the opportunity to join in or potentially inspire them. The Very Extra store is currently not selling anything as we are getting ready for a really dope 2025!
And what can you tell us about your upcoming projects for 2025?
I've been feeling really inspired lately working on this more mature, but still fun version of me that I will be introducing properly in 2025. I have an album ready, full of brand-new music, all very inspired by what I used to do during Enter Achroma but with a fresh and grown-up spin. Very Extra will get a proper reboot with dope new gear as well. Besides that, I really want to grow the Very Extra concept into something that's a lot bigger than just clothes. I really want to push up some of my amazingly talented friends, and I think building a community around the Very Extra sound is something I will be working towards in the next year. I'm thinking of doing fun mixes full of unreleased music by me and my friends or stuff like curated events. Stay tuned and stay extra!