Immersed in the enigmatic world of dark minimal techno, Dianthe meticulously crafts her signature sound. Originally from the wintry Northeastern heart of Russia, she dives deep into the abyss of sound, spending relentless hours refining each element within her unique sonic arsenal.

Rooted in classical piano training, a profound appreciation for classical music forms the foundation of her artistry. Her sonic palette extends beyond tradition, drawing inspiration from the raw energy of metal and the eerie depths of dark, nightmare-ish ambient soundscapes. Dianthe's work is an alchemical fusion of cinematic elements, conjuring a hauntingly surreal and authentically expressive atmosphere. Influenced by fantasy stories and literature, Dianthe weaves narratives through her compositions, inviting listeners to traverse otherworldly landscapes and embrace the unknown.

Dianthe talks to 6AM after her release on DENSE AUDIO and just before her SF show on Feb 24th.

Hi Dianthe, thanks so much for talking to our audience how are you?

I’m doing great. I’ve been very excited to share this release with everybody for a long time, now and today is finally the day. Plus it’s Friday, the weather is gorgeous and the weekend ahead is looking to be both fun and relaxing.

 

So to start, were you brought up in the wintry Northeastern region of Russia. How did that influence the atmospheric quality of your dark minimal techno music? Why did you decide to start making dark minimal techno?

Many of my early memories include walking through dark, snowy forests with my family and massive German Shepherd dog, looking out at the gorgeous night sky and snow covered trees. The winters were cold, lasted a long time, and were also very beautiful. My mother and grandmother both would tell me many stories and fairy tales, and eventually I started reading them on my own. I believe the cold environment and dark history of Russia and its culture affects the literature and media that children of the 1990s and prior years grew up on. That being said, I have very fond memories of these times, and now find myself seeking out beauty in the dark and mysterious. This translates into my musical work as I paint a cinematic picture with sound, weaving mystery and drama into compositions while also gravitating towards darker synth and sound choices. I explored other styles of techno previously in my music career, and finally landed on dark minimal techno because it encapsulates the dark and mysterious vibe I’m going for while also taking the listener on an adventure.

 

Can you elaborate on how your classical piano training shapes your approach to crafting your signature sound, especially considering your fusion of classical music with elements of metal and ambient soundscapes?

Since I started playing piano at a young age, classical music formed the foundation of my musical understanding. It left a very strong impression, especially pieces written in the minor keys, resulting in a dramatic yet elegant sound. In my teenage years I listened to classic metal, rock, and death metal, which all shared a similar melancholy, complex, and dramatic vibe. I also really enjoy putting textures and different cinematic effects in my tracks, which ends up as a techno track that sounds like something out of a scary fantasy movie. I think the fusion of these influences helps me take the listener on an adventure - it’s dark and driving, a little melodic and also takes the listener for a ride.

Your EP "Glacial Pulse" is set to release on Feb 16th via DENSE AUDIO, what can listeners expect from this upcoming project? What do you hope to convey and what do you hope listeners will feel?

I feel like the two tracks are complementary to each other. The title track “Glacial Pulse” is driving and sure to stir up a dance floor, while “North Winds” is more dark and cinematic and a little more mental. The names came from my deep dive into the Game of Thrones series, as well as the general theme of winter and darkness that my artist project represents. One of the biggest inspirations for me artistically is fantasy works - books, movies, series. This EP is one result of such inspiration and there are definitely more to come.

 

Your San Francisco event on February 24th sounds exciting!  Since the location is TBA is it going to be an underground type of event? In general, what kind of vibe can people expect from this party and what are some notable thing about this event?

This underground party is thrown by a couple of long-time friends of mine, who run a record label and event company called Mioli Music. They also produce and DJ as the duo Emanate. They’ve been keeping the underground techno scene alive in San Francisco for well over a decade, and their parties are inspired by Berlin underground techno events. I believe the party will be in a warehouse somewhere, with the location being disclosed the day before or the day of the event. The community that has gathered around Mioli and the San Francisco underground techno scene over the last several years is very impressive and welcoming, so this party is guaranteed to have a fantastic turnout of good people.

 

Thanks so much for talking to us, is there anything else you would like to add before signing off?

Thank you for having me on! I wanted to add a few words about a hot topic in electronic music right now. In an industry where we are seeing more and more tools that lower the barrier to entry into music production and DJing, it’s more important than ever to retain your musical identity. There are AI tools now that can make it very easy to create music. I want to pass along encouragement to newer producers to take your time, learn the skills, don’t outsource everything to AI and new technology. It’s better to have an “imperfect” track that is brimming with musical identity and soul, than a “perfect” track that comes from a machine. Let’s use this new technology to enhance our creativity, not replace it.

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