Menu
ELECTRONIC COTTAGE
  • HOME
  • REVIEWS
  • ARTICLES
  • COMMENTS
  • HOME
  • REVIEWS
  • ARTICLES
  • COMMENTS

Ditlev Buster interview by Adam Naworal

7/30/2018

15 Comments

 
As Ditlev described in his interview with me, we had writer's block at the same time. I suggested we interview each other to get back into the swing of things and he happily agreed!

Being a Danish citizen, Ditlev is fascinated both by the culture of his country AND experimentation worldwide.  He brings a lot of eclecticism into what he does; everything from strange audio art to melancholy singer-songwriter stuff (or maybe it isn't and i just think it is due to the language barrier) to hilarious jokey songs (all released on his own label, Stilletid), as well as his writings and films. Even with this range, everything he creates is 100% original and one of a kind. A kind and agreeable sort, he enjoys meeting people from all corners of the world and getting their unique takes on life, art, and everything in between.
Picture
A recent photo of Ditlev
Adam: Growing up, did you ever expect to become so involved with art? What first sparked your creativity? What was the first music you got into and what is your favorite music now?
Ditlev: I knew pretty early on i wanted to create things. At first it was simple comics and short stories. In elementary school i wrote a comicstrip about a cat, that was called Mis. Translates to kitty. The other children in the class didn't understand why i did it, because it involved words on a page. Seemed like homework to them. The first music i heard and liked was probably some of my dad’s records. He liked Patsy Cline, Roger Miller, those kinds of people. But what made me want to start a band was the first Black Sabbath record, Even if i didn't actually play with any other people until much later. Then i discovered that if i played acoustic guitar i could do it all alone and not need to have a rehearsal room and all that.


Adam: We've had a lot of discussions about the culture (and pop culture) of our respective countries. What is it you enjoy most about Danish culture? What do you like the least about it? Does a lot of the culture go into your works?
Ditlev: I like that we have a society where a garbageman might live next door to a millionaire, and neither one of them will feel out of place. Its called Jantelov i guess. Jantelov means that no one is any more special than anyone else. I like that, but unfortunately what i don’t like is that a lot of people (mainly the really young) are getting a bit self absorbed because of the selfie-culture. But i think that’s a global problem, not just a local one. These are narcissistic times.​ 

Adam: I've seen you describe yourself as an outsider. What makes you consider yourself as such? Would you agree we're all outsiders in a way on EC, brought together by a sense of camaraderie and be appreciated for who we are by like-minded folks? 
Ditlev: I think we all are somehow. It’s great that EC came into existence, since its a treasure chest of parallel culture from around the world. There used to be a website in danish like this, but more centered around punk rock than experimental music. The problem was that no one really looked at it because it was so localized that people just learned about gigs and records elsewhere.

Adam: Have you traveled much outside of Denmark? Is there anywhere you haven't been that's on your bucket list? If so, for what reasons? 
Ditlev: Ive been to Belgium and England, and some of the surrounding countries like Sweden and Germany, but i guess i’m not much of a tourist. I like to go to a small island called Langeland once in a while. Its very inspiring there. The light falls in such a beautiful way because there’s water on all sides.

Adam: How much contact did you have with musicians and artists from outside Denmark before Electronic Cottage? I find it fascinating that Hal is giving us a forum to meet on a more personal and artistic level via this great community. 
Ditlev: I sent alot of mail before EC too, and sent my music to radioshows like Swami Loopynanda’s Deprogramming Center and Little Fyodor’s Under the Floorboards, but only talked to a few people online. I have definitely made a lot more acquaintances since EC started

Adam: In closing, would you like to link to anything of yours or suggest something for the community that they might not be familiar with?
Ditlev: I guess it would be this album i made with the Danish/Azerbaijani artist Nargiz Andersen. Instead of her illustrating the music, i scored her drawings. Was a fun project for sure!
-----------------------------------
To hear Ditlev's work, start with his track from the Electronic Cottage Compilation 004!
After that, go check out more of his great works on
Stilletid's Bandcamp!
Picture
The cover of Ditlev's upcoming LP
15 Comments
Hal McGee, EC Editor
7/30/2018 02:29:46

Ditlev and Adam are doing the right thing! They are taking an active interest in other EC Community members. I think that this is what all EC Community members should be doing. I have been observing the activities of some EC members on Facebook and they are still following the old patterns: concentrating primarily on their own productions, trying to get on every compilation under the Sun, etc.

Reply
Penny
7/30/2018 02:34:48

Wow!!! Great article.. I have to go back and read it again. There is so much good stuff in there.

Reply
Lord Litter link
7/30/2018 12:30:19

Oh gosh ... here I go again ... this *interview each other* tells so much more about the human being behind than a thousand Facebook posts. This horrible (YES!) social network *culture* reduces all to a *look here's my new whatever - ain't I great!? - YES - I Like...oh look - I got 567 Likes! Wot you only have 567 Likes? I have 678 Likes!!!*

"... I have been observing the activities of some EC members on Facebook and they are still following the old patterns: concentrating primarily on their own productions, trying to get on every compilation under the Sun, etc."

*Social Media* already has poisoned so many structures of human communication - "These are narcissistic times." YES .. and guess who helped to create this mess.

Ditlev Buster has much from my good old scandinavian (Norway) friend Jan Bruun, who was distributing incredible unique cassette culture releases in the 1980s/90s with his HYPERTONIA label >> http://livingarchive.doncampau.com/tape_labels/hypertonia

... unfortunately the Hypertonia link in the article no longer works.

Reply
Ditlev Buster link
7/30/2018 13:21:58

Martin Christiansen ( see article on rabalder) Is writing a book on from Anus Presley at the moment! Jan Bruun contributed
Alot to the making of it! Ill see if k can get my hands

Ditlev buster link
7/30/2018 13:23:36

(Continued) on a copy for an EC article once it’s out!

Rafael González
7/30/2018 19:52:43

Ok, ok ... art has a lot of narcissism ... or not?

Chris Phinney
7/30/2018 07:21:17

Nice, great to learn more about you Ditlev, ha my dad listened to Roger Miller as well.

Reply
Swami Loopynanda link
7/30/2018 19:08:44

Lasse Buster Ditlev Jensen! I've gotten some real fine recordings from this Great Dane, yes indeed. What our featured interview-eee does not mention here is that he's put together some Great compilation albums, which have helped introduce the world to several unique sound artists.

As for the Roger Miller influence, it's ubiquitous! Back when I was in -ING in the early 1980's, we played an experimental tape loop version of "King Of The Road" at every performance we did -- always was a big hit with the audience.

Reply
Adam J Naworal
7/30/2018 20:40:03

Apologies for that oversight! Ditlve has indeed put out some amazing comps!

In my defense, I DID link to his label ;) And thanks for reading this, Swami L.!

Reply
Adam J Naworal
7/30/2018 21:23:39

Ditlev even XD

Rafael González
7/30/2018 19:46:27

I loved it. Bravo for both.

Reply
Frank
7/31/2018 06:14:02

Jantelov! Something to live by!

Great interview and super ofcourse to get to know you a little better.

Reply
Nargiz link
7/31/2018 09:12:19

Dear Adam!
Thank you so much for making the interview with Ditlev! I think one of the things I love about people is - their eager to be like a child and try some unique things! As for Ditlev, I was glad that he wanted to try writing music to one of my scetches/drawings! I have deffinatily thought of doing some kind of a total installation, where I hope to develop the different arts to one harmony. Let's see, what it will be! The fact I learned about Ditlev from your interview was his interest for Black Sabbath, which makes him to even cooler person! \m/

Reply
Adam J Naworal
8/1/2018 20:07:43

Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for reading!

Reply
Adam J Naworal
8/1/2018 20:08:31

P.S. You should make a page here at EC :D

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Adam Naworal


    Sorta artist, sorta musician, sorta improviser, definitely husband, writer, and catdad.

    Member of Waste Of Tape and Tomokie's Cup (the latter with my wife Aimee). 

    email
    Facebook personal page
    Waste Of Tape at Facebook
    ​
    ​
    Jacksonville, Florida, USA

    Archives

    March 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018

    RSS Feed