PREMIERE: Nauti Siren - Like An Animal (Single) + 10 Questions
NAUTI SIREN is not just a new stellar musical collective, but also chronicles one of the most exciting musical (as well as romantic) collaborations in current dance music.
DJ DMITRY is a man who certainly needs no introduction. Starting his career as a DJ at New York’s famed Pyramid Club and later becoming the co-leader of the worlds must seminal dance/fashion/art collective DEEE-LITE, Dmitry is credited to bringing a radical understanding of vintage flair alongside funk into the age of digital communication. Dmitry has collaborated, remixed and produced a diverse group of artists, including CHAKA KHAN, JULIE CRUISE, SINEAD O’CONNOR, ZIGGY MARLEY and many others. In his new duo, NAUTI SIREN, he moves beyond the limits of a " World Clique”, heralding a "Inter-dimensional Clique" and thus pushing the dance floor beyond shape, space, and time.
JESSIE EVANS was amongst the 2000’s San Francisco Post- Punk Scene darlings. Cutting her teeth in the SUBTONIX and THE VANISHING, the scene soon proved too tepid to contain the nuclear fusion that exploded from her songwriting and she set her sights on Europe and South America. Rebranded as solo artist, she collaborated with TOBY DAMMIT and STEVE MACKAY (IGGY AND THE STOOGES), BUDGIE (SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES), LYDIA LUNCH, and BETTINA KOSTER (MALARIA !) amongst others. Her sound became her own unique musical fingerprint, blending world music, disco, jazz, reggae, and rocksteady with a touch of esoteric spirituality. Jessie's expansive life continues to bubble out, from local SF art hero, to worldly solo artist, and even in her new roles as wife and mother. On a personal note, there could only be one word to describe her sound and aesthetic: experimental but locked in, courageous but always with a cool sense of control.
Produced between Germany and Brazil, their second single “Like An Animal” takes the listener on a playful ride through the urban jungle. Whist producer, DJ Dmitry sets the pace with a thick Roots - Dub baseline and punchy brass section, singer and saxophonist Jessie Evans purrs, coos and raps her ode to a few of her top power animals while her smoky sax slithers all snake-like over a mixing desk ablaze. The track serves an irresistible and sassy cocktail of Electronic- Dub and Hip Hop, delivering a lyrical message of ecological urgency with sensuality and humor, stating our need to reclaim our animal nature as well as getting back to nature. Every angle of this new outfit points to a dance floor where new vibes await...and we, the dancers, do so willingly accept the challenge!
Nauti Siren sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
DJ Dmitry: My love of music began in the womb. My Mom was a (classical) pianist, my Dad was a jazz fan, so I grew up with music , started lessons at 5, wrote my first song at 7, was in my first band by 12, etc…
Jessie Evans: My mom was a drummer, and my dads play multiple instruments so my house was pretty musical. I always knew that I wanted to play, starting out with violin at age 4, but it wasn’t til I started playing sax at 15 that I felt like I’d found my passion. First I was into Jazz and New Wave and Ska but then I discovered Punk and that was a real revolution! That’s when I realized I wanted to be a singer. Punk showed me that anyone could do it.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
DJ Dmitry: My favorite voice is Chaka Khan, hands down, and I got lucky to work with Chaka’s voice on a House Of Love by FOMO remix project. I would jump at a chance to work with her again. I have been a DJ for 4 decades, so my influences are many… P-Funk and Sly, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, ESG, Cymande, Dr Buzzards Original Savannah Band, Sakamoto, Basement Jaxx, Apex Twin, Atom Heart, Bjork.
As far as modern artists, I like Khruangbin, MonoNeon, The Jungle, Tank And The Bangers, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fulu Miziki, Roisin Murphy. I would love to collaborate with any / or all of them.
Jessie Evans: Some of my big influences have been The Selector, The Specials, Blondie, Prince, Nenah Cherry, Fela, Marc Bolan, Josephine Baker, James Chance, X Ray Spex. Now I’m friends with Lora Logic, so it would be cool to do something saxy together. Some newer artists that I like are Sampa The Great, Santigold, Mala Rodriguez, Flora Matos, Laylah Arruda, Feminine Hi Fi, Stromae. Mostly I’d be interested in collaborating with marching bands or drum troupes. Like the girl drum groups Batala and Fogo Azul from New York.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
DJ Dmitry: Our main focus now is Nauti Siren, but I also have a project with Eric D Clark, called Depth, which feature collabs with several vocalists : Robert Owens, Shara Nelson, Elsa Burchett and more…
Jessie has her solo work as well.
Jessie Evans: We’ve got over 60 songs recorded and we’re just staring to release them so that’s the main focus. Aside from that I have a Dub EP collab that I’ll put out in the near future with the Cumbia band, Amantes Del Futuro from Mexico. And I’m planning on making some new tunes next year with my old dark wave group, The Vanishing.
4. How would you describe your sound?
Nauti Siren is a psychoactive blend of Electronic Dub, Disco, Latin and Funk.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
DJ Dmitry: I played in front of 300,000 people at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and performed at Carnegie Hall in NYC. Recently we, Nauti Siren performed on a float for the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island for 200,000 people, I have been very lucky.
Jessie Evans: Opening for Iggy and The Stooges at L’Olympia in Paris. Meeting Grace Jones after my gig in London at The George Tavern was another highlight. Touring Mexico is always a blast, too.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
DJ Dmitry: Music s a harsh mistress. But if you really decide to let her reign your life, be patient. Keep refining your craft. Persevere. Keep trying, learning, trying again, don’t give up.
Jessie Evans: Never give up. Create with passion because you have to and don’t worry about what anyone else says. As artists we’re just vessels, our voices and instruments like blank canvasses that all the magic and beauty of the world can paint onto and breathe through. Search for beauty and freedom in the small things. Continue to fight for and refine your dreams but enjoy and embrace the process along the way.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
DJ Dmitry: I am super exited about Isis Salaam and Hulu Miziki, I look forwards to Eric D Clark’s upcoming releases.
Jessie Evans: Melodiam ( Madrid / Berlin).
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
DJ Dmitry: Dr Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band, Cymande, Rufus and Chaka Khan, Starship Africa by Creation Rebel, Scientist.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
DJ Dmitry: I love reading books, mostly sci fi, traveling, cooking, movies and spending time with my kids.
Jessie Evans: Swimming, belly dancing, meditation, making dolls and costumes, spending time with my kids, going to shows.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
DJ Dmitry: My Focal studio monitors, my sound libraries and my headphones.
Jessie Evans: My silver Naked Lady tenor saxophone, my AT4040 mic, coffee.