Noir Magazine's Artist Biography
Name: Paul Dyne
Crew or Affiliate(s): The Houston House Collective, Pen and Ink Recordings, Back yard Grillerz, Heights Music, Underground Dance Music Archive
Age: 34
Home Town: Houston (born in New Orleans)
Type of Musician (Producer/DJ/etc): Dj/producer/drummer
Genre: House
Skill Set (years): 18-19 years
Links/Website/Myspace:
The Houston House Collective
Pen and Ink Recordings
My Myspace page
Booking Information: pauldyne@penandinkrecordings.com
Record Labels: Pen and Ink Recordings, Double Down, Heights Music Company
1. When did you first enter the electronic scene and what was your first party?
1986 in Houston at a club called NRG, the sound system was designed by Richard Long (Paradise Garage, Ministry of Sound) and it blew my mind. Michael Degrace was the dj and that was all I needed to know. NRG was an anomaly in that this place was able to bring together all types of people of all ages, races and economic backgrounds together and everybody came to dance and be merry. It was at this point I knew what I wanted to do with my life.
2. What were/are your musical inspirations that helped gear you towards being the musician you are today?
Erick Brown (Rip), Mark Vanover and Michael Degrace in the mid-eighties really helped broaden my overall scope regarding dance music, djing and sound. Later in the early nineties it was definitely Rob Vaughn! Also Paul Parades and Nathan Castle were essential influences. The Hazy Daze, Derrick Carter, Jeno and The Masters at Work were the non locals that presented music to me in a way that was both mature and unique as well as it forced me to re-examine some elements or aspects of dance music with a new set of standards to compare and contrast from.
3. Why are you a dj/producer/musician?
To make my self happy is the first and foremost reason. I love to play records for people and try to tell a story or take people on a musical journey when I play a set. To see people unite under the disco ball and share the same experience is almost a religious experience at times and I like to share these types of experiences with other people. There are about 23 other reasons I could give you but I will not waste your time.
4. Who are you current inspirations?
Style of Eye, Miles Maeda, The Inland Knights, Kinky Movement, Brett Johnson, Jt Donaldson, Lance Desardi, Phil Weeks, Dj Mes, Lucas Keiser, Jake Childs, Mike D-Day, Nathan Castle, Honest Cars, Kolour and Mike Whitelock, Chello and Housetown, Kelly and the SDC, Candice Elliot, Zach Vizza, Fred Everything, The Freaks, John Aquaviva, Jeno (in my opinion the greatest modern dj), diz, Don Tinsley, Lbo and jeff Simo, Seth Jones, Mike C., et cetera.
5. Do you play cds/vinyl or both? What do you feel the future of vinyl entails regarding the progression of the industry?
I play both mediums vinyl and cd when I play. Preferably two cd decks and three turntables is my ideal set up when it comes to gear to play on. Unfortunately as much as I do not want to see it I think the days of vinyl as a medium are numbered. That being said though as long as there is at least one lathe/pressing plant out there pressing vinyl Pen and Ink will still be pressing wax.
6. What equipment did you use when you began your career as a musician? What do you use today and what became of your old equipment?
I had two 1200’s and a Radio Shack mixer back in 1987 when I started out.
7. What changes would you like to see happen with the current electronic scene (local/nationally/globally)?
I would like to see more local labels get started and see some more new artists get their material out there for the public to hear and experience. I want to see my friends like Zach Vizza, Mike D-DAY, Candice Elliot and Nathan Castle playing gigs around the globe as I feel they should be.
8. When you were a child did you have any type of formal musical training such as playing the piano, violin, choir, drums, etc? If so, how many years and do you believe that experience helped mold you to be the musician you are today?
I played the sax for three years in my middle school band. I then played the drums from 11th grade and all through college in a couple bands (Kill you Television and That) and still play a bit. I started messing with synths and such on my computer around 1999-2000 and still find the majority of my time occupied with writing new music on my laptop. My sister was a classical musician and played in the Mexico City Symphony before taking on a career in nursing/emt, my mom sang in the church choir and my brother is an outstanding bass player. Having music in my family definitely has to have helped me with djing and writing my own music because I heard so much variety in analog sounds growing up, especially in New Orleans.
9. Do you consider being a musician more of a hobby or a serious career that you will continue to pursue?
This is a lifelong pursuit…It seems.
10. What steps have you taken to further yourself towards your goals as a musician?
I have pursued many aspects of music such as: playing, touring and recording with a live band, writing zines, djing, running record labels, throwing events and parties, working for clubs, promoting for shows, writing reviews for magazines, writing tracks for other labels, working in record stores and running record pools to help reach the goals I set for myself.
What advice would you give to other aspiring musicians?
Be true to yourself and you will never fail.
11. What are your most memorable electronic dance parties and why? Was it the performance by the talent, the scene in general or did you go just because all of your other friends went?
Rob Vaughn at the Funky Techno Tribe show at the Austin Music Hall, Rob Vaughn at Disciples of Groove party in Austin, Jeno in Austin, Jeno in San Francisco in the celler of some hotel, Dj Duke, Richie Hawtin at the Axiom (SDC) in Houston, Derrick Carter in Dallas at the Hazy Daze warehouse, Lil Louie Vega in Iowa at the end of a three day party, Johnny Fiasco in Houston (chello), Mark Farina in San Antonio, Tortured Soul with Scott Pace in Houston, The list goes on and on
12. Would you consider yourself a pioneer in your genre that could possibly change or influence the future of electronic a in general?
Nope not really; I just love the music.
13. Are you inventive and creative when it comes to the particular sound and/or style work to produce? If so, what are your techniques?
I hope so; I do try to do things different every time while still adhering to some guidelines.
14. Innie or Outtie?
Both.
15. Do you actively pursue record labels who may be interested in signing your work?
If so, what advice would you give to any other starving artist who seeks the same?
Yes and the keys to me are to package your material and be diligent. Labels hear from their friends first so you really have to be persistent. I would send at least twenty three to thirty emails to the desired record labels daily.
16. Were you a candy kid? Come on, be honest.
Nope, way to old for that; although I went to many, many parties/raves.
17. Who are your favorite local artists and musicians and why? (Answer would probably be best if it wasn't "because he/she's my friend" ha-ha)
LBO, D-Day, Candice Elliot, Zach Vizza, Winfred Johnson, Mike Whitelock, Simo, Seth Jones, Lukas Kaiser, Chello, Kelly Hertz, Sumo, Margret, Shina Rae, The Trade, John Durban, Texas Noise Factory, Daniel Taylor, Henry Chow, Tim Xavier, Andre Morant, Jake Childs and Josh Dupont.
18. Who would you rate as the five best djs according to your tastes or live acts?
Jeno
Rob Vaughn
Lil Louie Vega
Phil Weeks
Johnny Fiasco
The Lawn Chair Generals
Fred everything
Luke Sardello
Diz
Dj Heather
Nathan Castle
19. What styles influence or make up your own style of music producing/djing/etc?
All forms of House from Deep to Funky to Acid to Chicago just as long as it is the right place and the right time for that particular style.
20. What styles interest you but are not necessarily reflected in your music?
Jazz, Funk, Disco and Dub interest me but are not necessarily reflected in the music I play or write.
21. What do you want to be doing in a year or two from now? Why?
Writing music, playing records with my friends and hanging out with my girlfriend
(Katie) and my cat (Biscuit).
22. What are some positive features/aspects/parts of Houston that may be somewhat unique to either the city or unique to you?
This is a young city so it is up to us to mold the culture in our own ways. This city is still impressionable and we can take it anywhere we have a vision for.
23. What do you believe can be done to make the music subculture of Houston better?
We can improve Houston by sharing knowledge, going out and supporting each other at shows; as well as maintaining an open mind to new ideas, and sharing all the music we can as often as possible.
