Daverage J. Normal
DJN is a Croydon-based electronic music producer who fuses synths, beats, bass and riffs to create a unique and captivating sound. With over two decades of experience as a bassist in various bands, he has developed a versatile and eclectic writing style that incorporates elements of cyber-wave, techno and DnB. His music explores the darker, heavier and melancholic aspects of life, but also embraces the emotions that arise in the present moment, letting go of the control and following the flow.
Prepare to embark on a journey into the dark with Daverage J. Normal. "Are they going to hurt us" will haunt you with its distinctive sound and irresistible groove. You will feel the chills down your spine as you listen to this eerie and captivating track. Daverage J. Normal knows how to create a sonic atmosphere that will make you shiver and dance at the same time. Don’t miss this thrilling and mesmerizing single!
Hello David, nice to have you back on our blog. You have released your single “Are they going to hurt us” a few days ago. How would you introduce it to our readers and what was your inspiration?
HI Team Nene’s Butler, it’s good to be back, thanks for having me, it's been a while…
“Are they going to hurt us” , the inspiration behind this track is how I felt in the moment of making it. It’s a moment captured in time of how I felt the day I sat down and started to write, and this is generally reflected across all of my tracks. I’m very much led by ‘what happens next’ and that itself is dictated by what I feel before & during the session. It’s a very selfish way of writing , but each time I find it is the only way I am able to let myself go.
Outside of the 4 to the floor, the sound design was about not following the conventions I previously had, and making a tidy mess to show that I felt upfront, on it, and pretty much ready for anything. It is a track written with DJs and a warehouse dance floor in mind, which is why I was thrilled to have it picked up by Furrier Records, a relatively new label having a significant impact in their community and scene and it's great to be a part of that darker peak time techno vibe.
ON the topic of Furrier, as a label, although initially it can be a downer, the fact they don’t say ‘yes’ to everything you send them is a good thing, I wrote this track with them in mind, and after 4 declines it was good to see this one slip through the net. In brief, its a floor thumper, let go, and don’t let them hurt you.
When I listen to “Dark Stars” and compare it to your latest releases, I would say it sounds very different from the basics. How would you describe your musical evolution?
A track I dare not listen to these days… (it is good though, probably needs a reimagined remix…. With this space, perhaps). This is a great question and I’ll share my perspective. I came into music production as a lone wolf, after being a bassist In bands for many years, and so yea, I know how to write music together, but that doesn’t mean I know how to write music by myself and with the listener in mind. Dark Stars is a great example of throwing the kitchen sink at something because you’re not sure the main theme is strong enough in itself,(if you can even identify the main theme.). Over the last couple of years I stepped out of my arrogance/ignorance and joined a creative & goal oriented Music Production school (its not a cult) from which I’ve learnt so much by being able to interact, share, learn from, and create, with other music producers across a broad range of genres. Grounding myself and realising how much I didn’t know in terms of managing energy mindset, the creative process, has had huge impact on me.
I went from finishing 8 tracks in a year, to one a week. And yes, there is al to of shite in there, but I have found the gems, some of which are also shite, but they are a slightly sparklier turd (lol). Add in to that the collaborative opportunities I’ve had (you learn so much and when it goes well you can make a genuine long-term connection with people) And there is still a lifetime of learning in front of me. It was only with the exposure to other creatives, from different lives, that I learnt how to grow into my own sound, an realising that in isolation and without direction, I would be just that, alone and directionless. Through this I am now at a point where not only am I producing music, but also started a business, DNAPS, providing audio and visual production, and more recently have delved into live performing and VJing, (thank you Riigs for the shove!!!)
Which three songs from your discography would you recommend to our readers who want to get a taste of Daverage J. Normal?
First off… go check out Ze-Orb, and the video, then wrap up warm and have a gander at ‘We are Doubtful, followed by the remix of Darren Mason’s ‘What you Looking At?” This is not only a journey from where I was to where I was then, but pulls together an element of Daverage.
What is the secret behind creating such a stunning energy in your sound?
There is no secret, it’s just a process of trial, error, and understanding what a listener might want. People need to be moved forwards in a listening experience, they need change, progression, variation. You need to manage the tension and release, contrast, energy & expectation. A generous application of high pass filtering or volume automation can have a massive impact, more so than any perceived virtuosity. But also, it’s hard to not get excited at a 4 to the floor hitting at 140-160bom, likewise some generous delay washing over you in a cubby dream is super effective. This is all stuff I wish I had been aware of years ago and am so grateful to be aware of now, even if it doesn’t get applied all the time….
If you could chat with any musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you discuss?
I’m a big Primus fan, so Les Claypool. I bumped into him once in Islington, and I’d really like to know why he went for the fist bump and not the handshake, but given my excitement at literally bumping into him, I can kind of forgive him, not so sure about the whole WiIlly Wonka affair, so I guess I’d like to understand his process, from super energy and quirky into the progressive realm.
I’m a bass player at heart, and he was one of a kind back in the 90s MTV2 days, one of the biggest influences on my view of bass and its place in a band (much to the dislike of other members I’m sure). There are 3 Primus albums ingrained in my subconscious, tracks which transport me, energise me, help me reflect, make me mourn, yearn, laugh, and remember.
I just think in some way it’d be nice to share that experience and understand his process. So basically, we would discuss music over a beer at Bob’s Party Time Lounge, telling Arnold not to set fire to himself while considering the burden of American Life, while trying to get served a shot by a bartender who won’t stop rabbiting on about a cat and a sacred cow.
How do you balance the time-consuming aspect of being an indie artist with the other aspects of your life?
I've been quite lucky on this front. I lead an almost double life, with a vaguely secret identity, and make time for it. There is a saying that 10,000 hours makes you an expert, (1.5 years of work hours) and with 13 years experience in a particular field I went the freelance route, so I get an element of choice now, not without risk, but it allows me to really focus on music for at least 2 full days a week, plus any evening and weekend time I choose to squeeze in, be hot creative, music, visual, client, or my least favourite, PR ( which I’m very lazy at). Music is an obsessive passion of mine, I feel compelled to do it, I have to do it, and must do it. If I didn’t I wouldn’t be me. I start my days at 5am with a coffee and at least 30 mins music production, and as of writing I’m on a 634 day streak o f working music every single day, even if it's 15 mis of idea generation I get it done, because no one is going to do it for me. I aim to finish a track in a week, I regularly seek out collaborators and feedback as there's nothing worse than working alone, and what else is there to do? Making music is an active participation, I could sit there and watch, but I would much rather be doing.
I have seen that “Nebulous” is out now. What can our readers expect from it?
Some Daverage Dance Floor Damage….lol, no, it's an in between breaks & DnB sci-fi adventure, quirky bass line, and dreamy pads, which remind you to not have looked down on your space walk.
You can expect a solid 5 minutes of Daverage, the rest is subjectively your own, but if you feel like a bit of a hint, you can also watch the video I made for it, did I mention I make videos too?
2023 is almost over. What are your plans for 2024?
2024 - Do more than in 2023… I’ve got releases scheduled into the summer, still waiting on some dates to be confirmed, but the tracks are out there. I plan to do more live performances bringing my tracks and visuals on to the stage, a very recent endeavour encouraged by some incredible individuals Ultimately, it's the best PR, get out and do it, be vulnerable, do the thing, make the thing happen, be loud, be bold, be brave and be more Dave….
I will be doing more live streaming, and going back into independent releasing I think. There is far more value and connection in convincing 20 people to download a track than there is in persuading 10,000 to stream it, we are artists, we’re not a jukebox. Other than that, I will be doing my best to be a better person for others and also myself.
