BINARY
Delving into the Artist’s Creative Cosmos
Music is the language of the soul, where notes are words, melodies are sentences, and every song is a story told in the universal dialect of emotion.
Welcome 🖤
Thank you for being part of this exciting journey of artistic exploration.
These short interviews are designed to forge a deeper connection between artists and their tribe. Whether you consider yourself an artist, a promoter, a devoted fan, or someone on the cusp of becoming one, get ready to delve into the fascinating intricacies of the creative mind 👽.
Are you ready to uncover the weird and wonderful world of artistry?
People might say, ‘Oh, it’s drum and bass, it’s neurofunk,’, that it’s aggressive music, but I don’t really see it that way. Because if you have multiple perceptions, you can manage to see it at the same time as classical music or Latin as well. Binary
Binary: Crafting the Digital Symphony
Meet Binary, a uniquely talented musician from the Netherlands whose journey into the world of drum & bass started in his early teens: a neighbour, deeply passionate about electronic music and with a particular love for jungle and dnb, moved in nearby. This random connection not only introduced him to the genre but also deeply influenced his musical path going forward. Binary’s remarkable discography, with releases on esteemed labels such as Optiv’s Red Light Records, Maztek’s 0101 Music, Korsakov Music, and Nickbee’s Axon Records, solidifies his position in the drum and bass scene, showcasing his steady ascent to greater heights.
Interestingly, his music production is also influenced by classical music, spanning from Bach to modern composers like Yann Tiersen. His latest release on the innovative German label T3K Recordings, offered under a “Pay What You Want” model (grab it if you can, I sure did), beautifully showcases a fusion of relentless, impactful production with a technical yet profoundly melancholic vibe. This release stands as a testament to the label’s forward-thinking approach, presenting a seamless blend of intensity and emotion that encapsulates the essence of Binary’s musical identity.
In our digital sit-down with Binary, we delve into the layers of his persona that usually stay obscured from public view. We uncover the roots of his musical journey that began at the tender age of 8, explore pivotal moments that have shaped him into the down-to-earth individual he is today, and find out the answer to MMNTM’s favourite question: what can get Binary out of bed in the dead of night.
Let’s jump straight into it 🚀.
🎸 Harmony in Complexity: The Multifaceted Life of Binary 🏥
Juggling a demanding full-time job in an emergency room, embodying the roles of a loving husband and devoted father, coupled with his exceptional talent as a musician, Binary’s personality is a vibrant tapestry of commitment, love, and creativity. But what’s a little-known fact about him that only a few people know?
Reflecting on his diverse musical journey, he shared, “I used to play in a lot of metal bands, and I’m involved in classical music as well. My journey began with classical Spanish music; I started on a nylon-string (Spanish) guitar at the age of 8. Later on, I switched to a resonator guitar and began to get into metal, rock, AC/DC, all that stuff. I had a tutor who played in a Dutch band, and he lived around the corner. He taught me how to play, and afterwards, I started studying by myself,”, he added. As someone who has navigated the punk-rock scene myself, this revelation instantly created a personal connection for me.
“The switch to electronic music came when I was around 13 or 14. The house near us was empty, and suddenly two Polish guys moved in. I lived there with my father, and one of them — Vault13 — practically lived with us; we became friends. He was into techno, he had vinyl records, he was into jungle, dnb. I saw him playing with vinyls, and back then we had Propellerhead Reason — just a crappy old DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), but it worked so — then I started to get into electronic music more and more,” he recounted.
Every journey starts with a single step, and this beginning underscores a compelling principle: give someone a tool, no matter how crappy or outdated, and they will begin to create stories and experiences.
“At first, I did a lot of jungle music, and then afterwards — it wasn’t Binary back then, it was Mission Control,” To which I reacted, “Uh, exciting! Are there some traces on the internet of Mission Control?” “I think if you look hard enough, you can find some things, but it’s a really old, crappy production; it’s funny to check out,” he admitted. And this is what I found on the internet🕵️ : posters of Rum & Ass events (we will talk about those later on), with Mission Control on them — busted!
“Later on, I thought I want to do more with this, but jungle wasn’t working in the Netherlands, because it’s a UK thing. Here in the Netherlands it was all about illegal raves under bridges, dark places. I thought I wanted something different, and drum and bass was already on the rise, it was becoming a main thing here in the Netherlands,” he concluded.
From Marketing to Nursing — Embracing Introversion and Creative Spirit.
Before transitioning to an ER nurse, Binary pursued studies in Marketing and Economics. Although he completed these studies, he ultimately decided against pursuing a career in this field, attributing this decision to his introverted nature. It’s widely acknowledged that introverts tend to tap into their creative potential more easily, yet they suck at selling themselves. This is where extroverts shine, playing a crucial role in bridging this gap!
“I was about 15 when I finished high school and faced the decision of what to do next. Marketing seemed like a good choice at the time. But afterwards, I was like, ‘What do I want to do with my life? I don’t want to do this, because I think it’s really hard as an introverted guy to be a commercial salesman or to work for a corporate company,” he reflected. Indeed, for a creative and introverted person, following such a path could be incredibly stifling.
Kudos to Binary for recognising this and steering away from a choice that could have quashed his creative spirit. “Yeah, this sounds really bad, but I became a nurse and you have to be social there as well, but I can manage that,” he chuckled. While nursing does require social interaction, it predominantly offers one-on-one engagement with patients, which, in my view, seems like an excellent fit for him.
The way producers view their work can significantly diverge from how listeners experience it. A single musical piece may spark a specific feeling in one person, yet evoke an entirely different response in another. This variance in interpretation underscores music’s subjective essence and its power to connect distinctively with each listener.
“If you have a portrait, and you’re staring at it, you’re thinking about something. And that can be a whole other perception for somebody else,” he contemplates. “People might say, ‘Oh, it’s drum and bass, it’s neurofunk,’ that it’s aggressive music, but I don’t really see it that way. Because if you have multiple perceptions, you can manage to see it at the same time as classical music or Latin as well.” illustrates the nuanced relationship between creator intent and audience reception.
🛹 Personal Evolution: From Skatepark Parties to Professional DJing 🎧
Music production serves as one pathway for a musician to connect with their tribe. Another route, the MMNTM way, involves sharing a touching moment from their DJing life with us:
“It was at the Waalhalla skatepark, that’s an old skatepark here in Nijmegen. A friend worked there, and I met my wife there as well. I used to organise smaller parties there too; it was called Rum & Ass,”, he recalls with amusement. I couldn’t help but laugh 😂. “It was a nice party, but I was really drunk because it was a skatepark, it was our own place, our own party, and I had everything planned before and had to spin as well,” he continued.
“I did a really great set but at the end of the set, I forgot to unplug my headphones jack, and I walked off the stage. I managed to drag the whole mixer with me, and the mixer hit the monitor booth. It was falling with me through the air, and a friend of mine was standing next to me. He managed to grab the speaker, and I was lying on the ground,” he narrates.
Whoops! “And that was my last time getting drunk before a gig,” he admits. “In the end, I see it as work; you have to be a bit serious about it,” he concludes. It’s these uncomfortable experiences that ultimately shape us into better people.
No one makes Surinamese Roti quite like Grandma does.
Speaking about people, it’s their unique quirks and desires that truly define our shared humanity. So, what would make Binary jump out of bed in the middle of the night? He answers, “My grandma’s Surinamese Roti. My grandma is Surinamese and she makes the more traditional dishes and this one is the finest one. You have to try it,” Binary insists.
And Surinamese Roti concludes our brief digital dialogue with Binary. Don’t forget to follow him on Facebook and Instagram. Also, grab his latest EP, enjoy the awesome music he’s made, and give him a big thumbs up because he really deserves it.
MMNTM is grateful for the opportunity to delve into the world of this unique artist, uncovering some of his less-known personality traits, uncomfortable experiences and surprising sources of inspiration.
Set your calendars 🗓️ for the much-anticipated MMNTM II Event on June 22nd in Hilversum, a delightful city in the Netherlands. You might even have the chance to meet Binary in person there 😶🌫️ ! Keep an eye out for more information.
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ADRIANA
