Today we’d like to introduce you to Dmo.
Dmo, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
An introvert at heart, I’m naturally less of a talker and more of an observer. Being the product of a military family, I moved around a lot and so I’ve had to adjust to a few different types of environments at important points in my life. This has given me a unique perspective on life, culture, and relationships. I believe this is where my art comes from. I found a way to express that perspective through music.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an artist, songwriter, mix engineer, and CEO of Great Society – an indie record and entertainment company. My business partner is Fethawi Tekleab. Our current artist roster includes an amazing songwriter and artist – Kennedy Williams.
For me, I make the majority of my music in my home studio. I spend most days recording or completing ideas, I’ll walk you through my process. I normally find a beat that I like and load it into my recording program. I turn the mic on and I record the first melody or cadence that comes to my head. I try not to overthink this step. I try to let whatever comes naturally flow out. This usually ends up being half lyrics/half mumbles. When I’m done, I play it back. If I like it, I listen to it until I find words to complete it. I do this until I have a full song. Then I put verses, hooks, and bridges into song format. The next step is a long process of sometimes re-recording until the vocals are laid correctly. And then I mix the record, playing with frequencies, effects, and levels until the song feels complete.
My process use to be different. I use to hear beats and write to them and then go to a studio where another engineer would record and mix my records. But over the last few years, I learned to do it all myself. I’ve found that it allows me to be more free with the music. I can try more things and it has opened my palette for different sounds. I also hear my music a certain way in my head and it’s important for me to work on it until it sounds how I hear it in my head.
I’ve always been someone who focuses heavily on lyrics, I felt like if you weren’t saying something – then what was the point. But then I realized that you can say so much through feeling – which is why I stopped writing. I figured if I just press record, the natural feel will come out in the records. And because I’m a writer at heart, I’ll naturally find clever ways to say things.
To me, art is all about perspective, I think that’s what makes every artist unique. I feel like as long as you are sharing your unique perspective, then you’re not only the best version of yourself, but you’re a true artist – because no one else has that story/perspective. But there’s always someone who can relate.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think it’s easier for artists in the sense that there’s more platforms to get your art out today. But I also think it waters down a lot of the art. Shock factor sometimes takes the place of talent and that can make it difficult.
I think as long as there are people and platforms out there who have a true interest in art, there will always be room. This is an example of that. But I will say that as a culture – we have to stop looking at numbers to validate what we like. We have to rely less on group-thought and start being okay with liking what we want to like.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can listen to my music on all streaming platforms. Because there’s a few other artists named Dmo, I usually say to look me up by name and album. So if you type in “Dmo – Here I go,” I’ll come up. I also have a lot of videos and vlogs on youtube at www.youtube.com/ThisIsDmoMedia.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ThisIsDmo.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thisisdmo
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thisisdmo
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/thisisdmo
- Other: youtube.com/thisisdmomedia
Image Credit:
Fethawi Tekleab
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