FloFilz - Dim Down (EP) + 10 Interview
Acclaimed Berlin jazz-beat producer FloFilz continues his streak of high profile collaborations with leading voices from the UK soul, hip-hop & jazz crossover scene, teaming up with the likes of Kofi Stone, Kojey Radical, Jerome Thomas and Raelle for his new ‘Dim Down’ EP. Out now via Melting Pot Music, the EP continues a love affair with the UK scene that has already seen him collaborate with artists including Alfa Mist, Summers Sons, Blue Lab Beats and Lord Apex.
‘Dim Down’ is a project that builds upon many long-term collaborative friendships, as well as solidifying new ones. Cinematic boom-bap lead single ‘Doves’ was a culmination of Flo’s work with Kofi Stone which began on Kofi’s 2019 album ‘Nobody Cares Til Everybody Does’, whilst the emotive nu-soul cut ‘Peace of Mind’ came after Flo connected with Raelle at a writing camp in the south of France. He shares: “The featured artists being from the UK happened organically, as I’m very inspired by that scene and even made a London related album called "Transit" before. My partner also lives in London, and we love discovering new artists and going to local concerts and festivals.”
Musically, the project takes cues and moods from the world of soul music, mingling moving vocal samples with understated beatmaker sensibilities. This is perhaps most prominent on ‘Butter’, where a soaring vocal sample decorates standout performances from Jerome Thomas and Kojey Radical, whose lyrics explore sensuality and heartbreak.
FloFilz is one of Europe's most sought after beatmakers, with five albums on Melting Pot Music under his belt. A classically trained musician with a penchant for the violin, as well as an SP 404, he’s widely regarded as a pioneer of the European Lo-fi beat scene (alongside WunTwo). However, he’s long moved into different spheres, connecting the dots between jazz, hip-hop, soul, bossa and city pop in his very own style. He’s recorded music with MF Doom, J.Lamotta, WunTwo, Bokoya, Move 78, The Offline, Koralle, Gianni Brezzo, K.A.A.N,. Damu The Fudgemunk, Jazzbois and Kan Sano – to name a few.
FloFilz sat down with Wordplay Magazine to chat all things music:
1. So tell me, where did the passion for music begin? I know you came from a classical background, so it’d be interesting to hear a little about that journey from instrumentalist to beatmaker.
My parents are both classical musicians so I was surrounded by music since I can remember. I picked up the violin early on and ended up studying it. I was always listening to all kinds of music like jazz and reggae and got more into hip-hop when I was around 16. I started making beats around 20 years old and released my first projects about 2 years later while I was still studying, including my first solo album "Metronom" which came out on Melting Pot Music over 10 years ago – the same label which "Dim Down" just released on! Once I finished my studies I decided that making beats is what I wanted to do full time. While I loved playing in Orchestras, I just wanted to do my own thing, and thankfully things were going well enough at that point that I was able to do so.
2. You’re known for your collaborative spirit, continuing on your recent ‘Dim Down’ EP - who are some artists that influenced this project, and are there any artists you’d love to link up with in future?
I just love collaborating as I think it makes things even more fun by inspiring each other. The collaborators on "Dim Down" definitely also inspired the project itself as I have either worked with them before or have been a fan of their music for a while.
Other than that it would be great to link up with artists like Joe-Armon Jones or Reuben James as well as Mad Keys, maya ongaku, Onra, Amanda Whiting, Sam Gendel, India Blue, Céline Dessberg..
On the other hand I’ve got new music coming out a bit later this year which also features musicians I love.
If anyone’s interested in more music that inspires me you can also check out my playlist "FloFilz's Favourites" on Spotify!
3. Your new EP ‘Dim Down’ just dropped. Can you tell us a little about the project and how the different collaborations came about?
I came up with the name "Dim Down" due to the introspective nature of the songs on it, the thought being that it’s the kind of music you’d listen to in the evening with some cosy lights on.
I love Kofi's music since the beginning and we connected years ago. I ended up producing 2 tracks on his 1st album and we’ve been in touch and met on multiple occasions since.
"Doves" was made quite a while ago, but we didn’t find a fitting moment to release it until now.
I came across Raelle‘s song "Cruel Nostalgia" around 2 years ago and listened on repeat before we ended up meeting and creating together at a songwriting camp in France, where "Peace of Mind" was made. Jerome and I already did a track together for my album "Close Distance" back in 2022, his work ethic and musicianship are always inspiring. He also got Kojey to hop on "Butter"!
Matt is an amazing producer and pianist who I’ve loved listening to long before we met. "Where Is The Love" is one of multiple songs we did during the 2nd edition of the same camp I met Raelle at.
The cover illustration comes from Tomo Oriyama (@otomoroy) , an amazing artist from Tokyo.
4. You’re known for being a pioneer of European lo-fi hip-hop, but how would you describe your sound?
When I started releasing music, lo-fi was still a term used for rough sounding hip-hop instrumentals à la Dibia$e, knx, wun two, madlib, Ras G,.. nowadays the term and the music associated with it have been very watered down, which is why I‘d prefer to simply describe my sound as jazzy beats or instrumental hip-hop.. but I guess in the end it’s also up to the listener to decide.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
I’d say any moment in which someone has told me that my music has helped them in some ways or means something to them. Also being asked to make an official remix for MF DOOM‘s "Coco Mango". This was such an honour and still can’t believe it sometimes. RIP legend.
Picture Credit: Anton Pfurtscheller
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Try not be too distracted by your musical surroundings. Don’t compare too much and rather do what sounds right to you.
Collaborate when you can and if it happens in an organic way. Having a kind of mentor will go a long way too.
7. What albums are on heavy rotation for you at the moment?
Nyron Higor - Nyron Higor
Michi - Dirty Talk
Total Blue - Total Blue
Budamunk - Green Clouds
Maya Ongaku - Approach to Anima
João Gilberto - Amoroso
Hi-Tek - Werk Road (1997 MPC 60)
Spirit of Naima - Spirit of Naima
Uyama Hiroto - Breath of Love
Terrace Martin - Albion Files
8. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Being in nature, taking photographs, going to record stores, enjoying good food, spending time with loved ones, spinning some records here and there.
9. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Daylight (not a fan of windowless studios)
A good pair of headphones
Some green tea 🍵