Tell us a bit about yourself.

Dino DiMuro
Palm Springs, California

What's your musical origin story?

The oft-repeated story is that I saw the movie "Bonnie and Clyde" and was inspired by the Flatt and Scruggs bluegrass soundtrack to get my own banjo. But really, just growing up in a world where the Beatles, Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, and Frank Zappa surrounded me was enough to spark a love of music and a desire to start a band, which I did with my best friend John. Just as strong was a love of tape recorders and sound equipment. Ultimately, I became a motion picture sound editor and kept music as a creative outlet. When music recording went digital, I was able to transfer my movie editing skills to my own music.

What were the driving forces or pivotal moments that inspired you to pursue music?

The moment I realized I could probably make my own music was the first time I played a full Mothers of Invention album, which was "We're Only In It For The Money." This album was packed full of sounds and techniques very different from mainstream music. Weird noises, phone calls, comedy bits, rapid editing, all leading into very sophisticated pop rock songs. I was already creating a primitive version of this kind of music on my tiny reel-to-reel machine. But as most artists admit, there's nothing like hearing a great work of art to inspire your drive to make your own masterpiece. Again, the 60's and 70's were an amazing time for music of all kinds, and having a rock band and making albums seemed like the most fun you could ever have. It still does!

How would you describe your style of music?

Walt Disney on acid! The playfulness of a Disney soundtrack (including sound effects) combined with the rock sensibility of the 60's, 70's and beyond. A bit of prog and classical at the edges.

How is your personality reflected in your work?

My song subjects and titles, and the sometimes offbeat way the songs are arranged, pretty much mirrors my real-life personality. I make sure to include whatever my latest interests or obsessions are in my newest songs.

Describe your creative process when you write new music.

There are several ways it can happen: - For decades I had an electric guitar in my editing room and would often stop work and record riffs and song ideas onto cassettes. This resulted in a tape archive filled with untold hours of demos that I continue to draw from.
- More recently I've set up my studio for jamming on guitar or keyboards, and these sessions often result in song ideas.
- Nowadays it's also easy to speak or sing ideas into my iPhone.

What is the name of your latest release?

"Sivey, Won't You Be My Spirit Guide" (Released November 19)

What was the inspiration for that release?

I've recently discovered the works and legacy of American author Sylvia Plath. As with most topics I become interested in, I tend to get so far into them that it's almost a waste of material not to write a song about that topic. As Ms. Plath has been gone from this earth since shortly after I was born, I crafted this song as a request across the dimensions that Ms. Plath guide me in my own creative journeys. Musically the song is a departure for me in that it was put together using inspiration from three mainstream (and not very good) hits from the mid-50's, the kind of thing Sylvia Plath may have heard on her radio. This was partly achieved with stem separation technology. And then of course I put my own spin on each section. It's all my music, but based on this hybrid monster I created.

What challenges or unexpected moments did you encounter during the writing/recording process?

I wanted this song to have an almost orchestral structure, with pretty much all the instruments I usually play making appearances. With that many tracks and overdubs, the mixing process becomes very complex and fatigue can set in way before the song is finished. I have to force myself not to rush, to take my time and do justice to the tracks. I had a couple happy accidents, as in the concluding vocal section where I knocked the harmony vocal track out of sync with the lead. I loved the slight delay in the two parts and wound up recording it that way.

What strategies do you find most effective for promoting your music?

I've tried several methods to promote my music over the past five years, including:

• Reviews and feature articles on blogs
• Reviewing music myself
• Paid promotion
• My own online radio station
• Videos
• GetMusic's Bandcamp code service
• Self-promotion on social media platforms like X, Threads, BlueSky, and Instagram

How do you engage with your fans online and offline?

Normally I meet fans or other musicians on various social network sites. Occasionally I am able to venture out and meet people or attend shows, as I have with Sophie and Alex Dorsten.

What upcoming promotional activities or releases are you most excited about?

Mostly I am excited to see how long I can continue to release a new single or track every two to three weeks. I also have a long-awaited physical CD titled "MACHINE" coming out in the beginning of 2025.

How can folks contact you?

You can reach me at:

• Email: recordings@aol.com
• Visit my Bandcamp page