Q&A: Death Dance Music Reinvents Dance Music in New EP, ‘Ghost You Know’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY FAITH LUEVANOS☆
NIHILISTIC DANCE MUSIC IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE EMERGING ARTIST DEATH DANCE MUSIC – The New York-based artist thrives off of raw experiences and the creation of dance music that represents something different for each listener. His latest EP, Ghost You Know, is filled with an air of mystery, leaving listeners practically fiending for more.
Death Dance Music blends sounds from diametrically opposed genres, presenting a refreshing take on music. When asked about the sonic world of Ghost You Know, he shared that his music is “always changing and evolving. I’m constantly searching for new ways to express the sounds I hear in my head — whether that’s building a percussive instrument or creating tape loops.”
The Luna Collective caught up with Death Dance Music ahead of the release of his EP, out now everywhere. Read the full interview below.
LUNA: Who is Death Dance Music, and what does your music symbolize?
DEATH DANCE MUSIC: It’s more than a name; it’s a feeling, a world, and a space to experience something raw and real, especially live. I like to think of my music as something that can mean something different for everyone. What symbolizes changes depending on the listener.
LUNA: When did you get your start in music?
DDM: I started playing guitar at 10 or 11.
LUNA: You’ve said that you listen to a lot of different artists and genres regularly. Do you feel like that blend of sounds gets put into your music as well?
DDM: Yeah, I get bored when something sounds too rock or traditional. I definitely like blending genres to see what happens. It’s a very hit-or-miss process, but sometimes I surprise myself, and that’s my favorite part. I love being surprised while creating music.
LUNA: Do you feel like being in a place like NYC either shapes or plays a part in the way you approach music?
DDM: Being born and raised in NYC definitely shaped who I am as both a person and an artist. In my early teens, I would cut school and go to Kim’s Video or Other Music, and those places really expanded my musical palette. I got into everything from Throbbing Gristle to Mulatu Astatke to Bohren & der Club of Gore, and so much more. Both Kim’s and Other Music are long gone, but they’re definitely not forgotten by those who got to experience them. Unfortunately, a lot of the contemporary New York art, music, and literary scenes feel lacking in authenticity. It’s mostly rich kids either trying to shock or cancel someone. Honestly, it’s all pretty lame, and it’s the kind of environment that inspires the nihilistic lyrics you hear in Death Dance Music.
LUNA: What did the creative process look like for these songs?
DDM: Each song on the EP had a different creative process. Some began with just a few chords, while others started from a specific sound—like a synth, pedal, or tape loop. The songs tend to present themselves when they’re ready. I try not to force the process and instead let things develop organically.
LUNA: What's your favorite song on the EP and why?
DDM: My favorite song on the EP is “Shadows.” It's universal. We all cast a shadow, a part of ourselves that’s misunderstood. The balance between light and dark reminds me that everyone shares that same human experience. Let's all become nothing together!
LUNA: What's the ideal setting for the EP to be listened to? Feel free to take this in any direction.
DDM: That direction would be off a cliff, Thelma and Louise style! The ideal setting to experience the EP is live at one of my shows.
LUNA: Any final messages you'd like to share with our readers?
DDM: Try to focus on getting the work done rather than waiting for validation.
