Julien Dyne is a multi-talented artist – a top New Zealand drummer, producer and visual artist. Best known for his work as the drummer for Opensouls and Tyra and the Tornadoes, Julien has also worked with the likes of Verse Two, Nathan Haines, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Ladi6. Since his selection for the Red Bull Music Academy in Rome in 2004 Julien has been working with international artists and forging his own unique sound as a producer. Julien spent two weeks in Cologne in 2007 where he recorded, collaborated and co-produced with legendary musicians and producers including the Mizell brothers (Motown/ Jackson 5, Donald Byrd, Bobbi Humphrey), Om’mas Keith (Sa- Ra), Steve Spacek, Mark Pritchard (Harmonic 313), Andreya Triana, Black Spade , Theo Parrish,Roman Rosic, Skymark and Sophie Loizou. Pins and Digits is Julien’s long awaited debut album, following the critical acclaim of his first release Phantom Limbo EP (2007). Phantom Limbo EP introduced Julien as a producer and served as a platform for him to showcase his sizable percussion and production skills – he expertly moulds together produced beats and live instrumentation to create a sound which encompasses hip hop and funk, afrobeat and jazz. The Sunday Star Times described the EP as “the most convincing local hybrid of jazz, funk and hip-hop I’ve heard in a very long time.” Lead single ‘Maddingos’ was nominated for a bnet award 2007, and remains a local anthem for DJs. Pins and Digits features guests spots from some of New Zealand’s most talented musicians including Jonathan Crayford, Paul Dyne, Lewis McCallum, Jeremy Toy (opensouls), John Bell, Isaac Aesili, Steph Brown and stand out tracks from the fresh vocal talents of Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle) and Parks (Ladi6). Stylistically Pins and Digits combines the big bass, brass and beats aesthetic of the Phantom Limbo EP with futuristic keyboards and synthesised sounds.
