10 x 4 – Dné
Ondřej Holý has been a fixture on the Prague art and music scene, primarily due to his 21st century electronic compositions. His tape Eating A Wrapper Instead Of Candy appeared on AMDISCS in 2010. On his 2011 remix EP Reading Lyrics Aloud Means Singing, he didn’t just graft the likes of Former Ghosts to rehash his song—he had the recontextualizers use their own vocals only. Currently, dné is working on new tracks, adding his own vocals or hiring rappers. His next single is expected to come out in Autumn 2012.
1. Your most memorable show?
The weirdest show I’ve had, in a good way, was probably the gig at Fluff, which is a post-hardcore/screamo festival. Throughout the whole day intense stuff was happening on the main stage and then it got dark, started to drizzle and people cooled off. We played in an afterparty tent and due to limited and unstable sound equipment we had to ditch some of the instrumentation. I had been in a spa for a month before that and written some solo guitar and piano stuff. The tent was packed, the PA was quiet and I think only a couple of people in the first rows heard it properly. It had its own magic, though. It was beautiful because it was unexpected for everyone. My sister told me she enjoyed that whole situation, watching tough hardcore guys with moved facial expressions.
2. If you were still in high school, which clique would you belong to?
The bored one that can’t wait to get out of high school. In hindsight I didn’t have a good time at high school. The first year was ok, but after I got to know the people around, I lost interest. I didn’t have any girls, had awful hair and wasted four years on something I stopped caring about immediately after the school gates finally closed. I had a nice childhood though, then nothing much. It was only around my 23rd birthday, that I really started to live the life I enjoy.
3. An album that changed the way you thought?
Khonnor‘s Handwriting. Apart from the obvious that he made the album while still being a teenager, it is an incredibly timeless record. It came out in 2004 and I’ve been listening to it ever since. And every year I enjoy it just as much.
4. Better show: Buffy or X-Files?
5. What defines your music-making process?
Lack of production skills resulting in an inability to finish a song. I can make nice melodies and harmonies but am a lousy producer. Recently I finally admitted this to myself and have begun to look for someone who can help me. In this day and age it is quite common for people to do everything by themselves at some level. I don’t know. I rather like the idea of a person who is just a really great engineer and nothing else instead of mediocre engineer who also writes mediocre songs.
6.Tell us what you think of this song.
I love R.Kelly. He is so much more than a lame piss joke on the Pitchfork Facebook page. Feelin Single is one of his better songs and arguably the best on his latest album.
7. Name three essential artists.
Throughout my life it has been French Kicks, Khonnor and Roly Poly Rag Bear.
8. A film or book that greatly influenced your music?
Only titles. I named a song ‘System and Factory’ because of Murakami’s Hard-Boiled Wonderland and ‘Cheaper Sneakers’ because of the Flight of the Conchords. Right now I’ve got a love tune for Aubrey Plaza and a song called ‘Kallocain’.
9. Do you believe in the paranormal?
I believe that the human brain can create anything and different people have different types of energy. But we want to be way fancier and that’s why there are ghosts. I am ok with that.
10. Raging or chilling out?
Chilling out. I can’t even yell at people. If you are across the road and don’t see me, we will never meet. It’s sad.
Published August 18, 2012.