Dardust

New York/Milan, February 12, 2021 – “Within Me” unites two very different Italian artists whose combined talents have created something even greater than the sum of their parts. Dardust collides the worlds of minimalist piano composition and ambient electronica, a mix that simultaneously echoes Max Richter, Philip Glass and Aphex Twin. Meanwhile, no introduction is needed for Grammy award-winner Benny Benassi, the electro house pioneer who regularly packs festivals and amasses millions of streams all over the world.

The result is something refreshingly different yet entirely in tune with their backgrounds. “Within Me” opens with Dardust’s captivating piano, which captures a melody as immediately infectious as anything from the world of pop while expressing an atmosphere both beautiful and evocative. Set alone, it’s serene, but Benny Benassi’s dynamic drops and restless beats fire it into the dancefloor. What follows is two artists challenging each other to reach new heights, both weaving between and complementing each other’s creativity

Here’s what Dardust had to say when we got a chance to ask him some questions.

Tell Us About the new single Within Me

“I see it as the club side of a track of mine called “Without you”, which is the most intimate and romantic track of my album “SAD Storm and Drugs”. Benny and I sampled the closing piano riff of Without You and we tried to build the song around it. We thought it could be simple, minimalistic, and iconic at the same time. It was really great to collaborate with Benny on this”.

How did you end up working with Benny Benassi?

“I’ve been following Benny since his first works. I’ve always loved his production tricks: I used to listen to his songs for hours, trying to figure out how he made an effect instead of another. I think it’s the most fascinating part of listening to music. Witnessing magic and trying to understand how it works. We messaged on Instagram, he was in love with my intimate piano tracks and I was in love with his club side. So, we decided to unite our visions”.

Who were your musical influences growing up?

“David Bowie for sure. From there I studied all of his musical influences, discovering all the underground and non-underground movements of the ’70s, starting from Kraftwerk. Until I came up to the 90’s, studying the plethora of artists that have drawn inspiration from him, like Blur. I grew up with a strong vision for music contamination, opening towards everything and all genres. I also listened to everything from Prince to Sigur Ros, from Radiohead to Shostakovich, without even realising how different the artists were. I just love music”.

What has been your best gig?

“My gig as an artist: surely the Nilufer festival in Bursa-Turkey. I was on stage in front of 17 thousand people that had no idea who I was. And the gig ended in a standing ovation that I will never forget. Gig from the crowd: Kendrick Lamar in Manchester, Damn tour. Seeing artists play live has most definitely opened me to new worlds”.

Describe your music in 3 words?

“Magic, chiaroscura, surprising”.

What makes your music stand out?

“I think the contradictions that are within it. I like to create a mood, bringing the listener into a world and then take him to another one without anticipating anything, without preparation, without spoiling what could happen. I like to suddenly open doors and create magic like this”.

What are your plans for the rest of 2021?

“Going to Japan to write my fourth album. I’m very passionate about whatever concerns Japanese art, from the literature of Mishima to the movies of Kitano, passing to the world of Miyazaki that I already knew, but now I’m discovering it on a more profound and symbolic level”.

If you had to be remembered for one thing apart from your music what would you want it to be?

“The empathy. I have a degree in psychology and I like to practice it in every encounter. Every time I get in the studio with an artist I try to create a common space to project ideas and concepts”.

By Siân Parker

Dardust

Benny Benassi