Fusing his love for indie soul, jazz and electronic music, Sydney-based songwriter and producer Dominik Dale’s unique style has gained the attention of record labels and collaborators alike. Snowballing a rapidly growing discography of originals, co-productions and ghost-writing credits, you may have already heard Dominik Dale’s work without even knowing you were listening to his work! Following the streaming success of his 2019 single Time Machine, Dominik was hand-picked to remix Wake The Wild’s hit Guilty Pleasures which was aired on the CBS show “Ghosts” in 2022. Not long after, Dominik was selected as a winning remix for Her Songs’ single Just My Luck, exploring the summery, bouncy side of his musical personality. Dominik has spent the last 12 years transforming from a singer-songwriter to the one-man producer, recording engineer and co-writer he is known to be today, he lends us some insight into the gear he loves and how he produces.
How would you describe your sound and how has it evolved?
I feel like my sound has always been led by my love for swinging drums and Juno-style sounds like warm lush pads and bouncy synth brass. The music I’ve made has been quite varied over the years as I write whatever I’m feeling at the time and rely on following my gut instincts to reduce creative block. Anything goes in my head! My Cabin Fever EP was especially different as I used it to free myself creatively during lockdown, it ended up being very indie pop rather than my expected dance style and it was well received. My latest music I’m sitting on is returning to that bouncy, summery sound that I’ve always wanted to pursue. I feel like I’m finally getting the hang of it and my confidence in producing that style is growing track by track. I’m excited to see what comes from it all!
What pieces of gear are essential to your sound? Do you gravitate towards particular bits of gear for long periods of time?
I’ve always been a stickler for digital gear over analog purely because I like to tweak things over longer periods of time and change my mind a million miles a minute, so recording analog gear and changing my mind scares me. I did invest in an original Juno 106 recently which has really excited me again because of having that hands-on control, However I live life on the edge and don’t save my presets so it’s a minefield haha. I’d say in the digital realm, I always default to using XFER Serum as my go-to soft synth as it’s super visual and was the first synth that made sound design make sense to me so I’ve been using that for years on end. For more quirky and experimental searches for sound, I’ll dive deep into the Arturia V Collection and FX Collection. Valhalla reverbs/delays/creative effects are killer too. If it can move with me on my laptop, it’s essential.
How does your live set-up differ from your what you use in the studio?
I have intentions to play live one day, it’s not an immediate goal at the moment but I have had ideas for it. I would have my Push 2 for launching tracks/clips, NI Komplete Kontrol MK2 keyboard set up with patches changes pre-set throughout the set and live vocals. Maybe some guitars and such in future but that’s relying on the fact that I actually learn to play them outside of a studio setting.
Are you a gear hoarder, is there an emotional connection to your music technology?
I’m all in on the Ableton Live bandwagon, I’ve been through a few versions of the software now and I can’t see myself moving to any other DAW. Don’t fix what isn’t broken! I think I’d be deeply sad if Serum for some reason stopped working. My other vice is buying new plugins, it’s like crack to me. We’re working on that one.
If you could create your ultimate instrument or piece of music gear, what would it be, what would it do, how would it work, how does it look?
Sheesh this is a big question; one I can’t say I’ve ever considered before. I’d say something that could take my DAW and favourite plugins outside of the studio on a standalone keyboard. Imagine the Komplete Kontrol MK2 had a Push 2 style extension that would allow me full Ableton Live clip launching and recording control, DAW control, but also portable and standalone. Madness. Now I want one.
Who would be one artist/producer you haven’t worked with (dead or alive) that you’d love to work with?
SG Lewis hands down. I’ve never connected to an artist’s entire catalogue so deeply before. I remember listening to him making more chill electronic music and that inspired me, and then he slowly transitioned into the more disco/party tunes he’s known for now and it’s been a beautiful thing to watch. I’m stoked I’ve had the pleasure to see him play both sides of his catalogue. His sound choices and ear for melodies are unmatched, I’d love to pick his brain!
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https://www.facebook.com/DominikDale
https://www.instagram.com/dominikdale/
