Avoiding the prospect of being filed next to the plethora of musicians who have drawn lazy comparisons to Prince or the late Michael Jackson in spite of releasing questionable material, UK soul singer Dornik delivers the goods on his eponymous debut album.
Having written and produced the 10-track collection with little outside help and to widespread critical acclaim, the rising singer embraces such weighty comparisons while quickly pointing out that he’s striving to find his own lane too. And with fellow soul star Jessie Ware in his corner, co-signs from the likes of the Roots drummer Questlove and mixing duties courtesy of audio engineer Russell Elevado—widely recognised for his work with D’Angelo—who would bet against him?
He caught up with Flavourmag to talk about his music inspirations and the creative process behind the ‘80s-influenced album.
Can you explain the story of how you were discovered by Jessie Ware?
She needed a drummer and two of my friends were already playing in her band and they put me forward. I learnt the songs, came down to her rehearsal, played them to her and she loved it. After the second rehearsal or so we got the train back home together, as she lived not too far from where I lived, and she was asking if I did anything else other than play drums. I said I produced a bit, so she asked me to send some stuff over. I sent her some old demos and she was asking who was singing and when I told her it was me she went crazy and showed the management and label.
How have you found making the transition from being the drummer to being the frontman?
It’s pretty fun. It’s pretty cool. It’s pretty daunting at first, like quite scary going from hardly being seen to being [the frontman], but I’m enjoying it now. Jessie made me practise as well. She used to get me to sing a duet with her on tour, so that was good practice for me.
Some reviews to your live shows have said you’re shy on stage; is that something you agree with?
I don’t know; I wouldn’t say so. I’ve heard some people have said that I’m not shy on stage [laughs], so mixed opinions.
Your debut album has received critical acclaim. How does it feel to have your work acknowledged and appreciated?
It feels really good. I’m just really grateful that people are into it. It’s inspiring and makes me want to work more and make the next one bigger and better.
You’ve been compared to some of the biggest names in R&B at the moment, notably The Weeknd and Miguel, and even legends like Prince and the late Michael Jackson. What do you think about these comparisons?
That’s crazy! Michael Jackson and Prince are my two main inspirations and so to be compared to them is a huge, huge compliment. Miguel, The Weeknd and Frank Ocean I really respect and love what they’re doing too. It means a lot [to be compared to them]. I’m just trying to get my own thing going. I respect and love what everyone’s doing, but I want to try and find my own path too.
Your sound has been described as ‘80s pop, funk, R&B, electro, and jazz, but how would you describe and define your sound?
Electronic, soul, experimental. I guess there are so many different elements, and I agree with some of the genres that they’ve been mentioning. I’m very ‘80s influenced, as I love the ‘80s era, and there are pop elements and soul elements too, but it’s quite broad, and experimental I would say is definitely in there.
What has the creative process been like when making this album?
Quite a few of the tracks on the album were old demos of mine, so turning them into songs and trying to keep that inspiration was quite hard to do so, as I’d heard them so many times. But, it always pays in the end and I’m glad that it’s done and it’s out so I can move on and make some new music.
It’s a very cohesive body of work and maintains the same vibe from track 1 to 10. How did you go about achieving that feel?
Thank you man! A lot of the tracks were made around a similar time so I guess that helped… I think it kind of happens by itself. The tracks were made around the same time, so the sonics are similar and the mix as well. Russell Elevado did the mixing for 8 of the 10 tracks, and he’s just a genius and makes it sound like 1 record.
I know you wrote and produced most of the album yourself too. Was that a conscious decision?
It wasn’t conscious. These are old demos that I was doing myself, so the stuff that the label heard and liked happened to be produced by me, and then I got in [the studio] with Pop Wansel and Autoro Whitfield to do a few more tracks and that was a great experience.
Even though you do write and produce yourself, are there any artists or producers you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Yeah man totally, Jessie for a start; that would be fun. Janet Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole. There are many [laughs].
A fan favourite on the album is “Second Thoughts”. Why do you think people have gravitated towards that track in particular?
I think that’s the most UK one out of all the tracks. Maybe that might be the reason.
What is your personal favourite on the album?
My personal favourite? It always changes. If I had to pick one, at the moment I think I’m digging “Shadow”. I’m tired of all of them anyway [laughs]. I really like “Stand In Your Line” as well.
There has been a lot of talk recently about whether streaming platforms are fair to musicians, particularly up-and-coming singers like yourself, as some platforms allow music to be streamed for free. What are your thoughts on this?
I think streaming is great. You can be exposed to more great music and artists can be discovered, so there are pros and cons… It’s a whole new platform now, and I think we’re in a really exciting time.
What are your plans for the rest of the year as far as touring and future releases?
I’m in the studio at the moment, like now, working on second album stuff and just bits that I want to put online in the next few months, so I’m constantly working on music. There are no set plans for heavy touring at the moment, but there will be shows here and there, like around October time.
What tracks or albums are you listening to at the moment? What’s on your iPod?
Phil Beaudreau, a guy from the States, is wicked. He’s got an album called Ether, so I’ve been listening to that, Kendrick Lamar To Pimp A Butterfly, J. Cole Forest Hills Drive, D’Angelo Black Messiah, and Lianne La Havas Blood; that album’s wicked. Oh and The Internet too, their album’s wicked.
“Dornik” is available to buy now.
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