DIAFRIX INTERVIEW

Diafrix, the strikingly unique Melbourne based, African born Hip Hop duo, from the Melbourne suburb of Footscray – comprises of two frontmen, Momo and Azmarino, both of whom are African refugees but have lived through struggles which are worlds apart.

After years of building a solid reputation for high energy performances, and incredible charisma (both on and off stage) within Melbourne’s ultra competitive live music scene throughout the mid 2000s, Diafrix released their acclaimed debut album, “Concrete Jungle” an eclectic concoction of socially aware yet accessible Hip Hop, Reggae, Funk and African sound

Now in 2012, Diafrix return with their new album “Pocket Full Of Dreams” a collection of soaring hooks, eclectic production, big name guests and their trademark charismatic and aspirational song writing, With the majority of the production helmed by Styalz Fuego, Diafrix are provided a sublime array of slick, current Hip Hop that takes in influences ranging from vintage Reggae to Deep House, Dancehall to 90′s NYC Rap and Indie Rock to Neo Soul resulting in an excitingly refreshing take on internationally toned Australian music.

What are your earliest memories of music?
I think I was about 6 or 7 and my folks were having a party so me and my cousins were getting into it dancing. We liked to change the lyrics to songs to better suit ourselves.

What first got you into Hip Hop?
The rawness in the way artist verbally painted pictures and told their stories with words which I could relate to most of the time.

You both come from different parts of Africa how did Australia get to become your home and what were your impressions early on?
Like a most people that pack their lives up and move overseas our journeys started in search for a better life. Azmarino spent a lot of his growing up travelling the globe doing this. I arrived in Australia at a young age so our perspectives were pretty different but yet similar in the fact that we both came from different journeys but shared the experience of migration into this country. By the time Azmarino arrived there was a larger population of Africans living in Melbourne.

How did the 2 of you meet and did you connect creatively straight away?
We met at a workshop run by Joelistics (TZU) by the end of the first day we wrote a song and had it finished ready to perform. It was a Dancehall song I had never sat down and finished a song like that before. It felt right the connection was there and we were staying out of trouble while been productive.

What is the meaning behind the name?
Diafrix means the Africans in French but with a twist

Your new album “Pocket Full Of Dreams” features some heavyweight vocal features and production from names such as 360, Daniel Merriweather, Dwele, Stylaz Fuego and more. How did all the connections come about?
We met Styalz almost 6 years ago after we worked on a track together. I think after we worked on “Simple Man” we felt like we could really do this record together and we are glad we did. It was a great experience and
all the collaborations were organic there was nothing forced I think that’s the best way to make music.

I remember making “Simple Man” we had the song all done pretty much finished. We said to each other we could hear Daniel Merriwether singing the chorus we had laid down, so we said we would try get in contact with him knowing it could be difficult because the dude is so busy. That night I step out for a drink and I bumped into him! We hadn’t seen each other for a good 3 or 4 years so we pulled up into a corner of the club and had a cypher for a good 45 minutes then a week later he came into the studio.

We started working on “Dreamer” while we where in France then when we got back to Melbourne and reworked it with Stylaz he played the track to 360 who was feeling it so we set up a session. I think that was the quickest verse I have seen anyone write he jumped in the other studio and 20 minutes later comes out with his verse all done.

For “Better With You” our A&R rep was in contact with Dwele’s manager so we sent him the track I thought it was a long shot but we got the heads up he was feeling it and wanted to get on it I felt like a little kid. When we got his stems back we realized he not only recorded the chorus but he blessed the track with a verse as well. I played that song non stop pinching myself.

Were their any differences on how you approached making this album compared to the last one?
Not really we brain stormed ideas pretty much the same and it was a joint effort in the studio all together. We were lucky that Base Studios where we recorded the album let us use a spare room so while one of us was recording with Styalz the other could be demoing/writing in the other room which created a good work environment. I guess with each step you take you learn something new but you can only prepare for so much.

What is your favourite track off the album and why?
Hard question but I would have to say “Better With You” as I love Dwele’s music. The song is also very personal and close to our hearts so to share this experience with such a talented artist put the icing on the cake.

What influences you to make music?
Everyday life, peoples stories, the underdog but also inspiration can come as a surprise.

What artists are you currently listening to and getting inspired by?
I’ve been listening to all kinds music while recording I don’t listen to to much Hip Hop unless we are referencing something to help explain ideas. My ipod is spinning Jai Paul, SBTRKT, James Blake, BJ The Chicago Kid, Electric Circus and J Dilla.

What are your thoughts on how Hip Hop in Australia has evolved since when you started out?
Man to me it feels like its changed heaps. For us it felt like there was no room to get a foot in. We were different and came with whole new story. Prior to this Australian Hip Hop listeners were a small demographic and other people in our own back yards didn’t even know it existed. I mean I for one didn’t and that says something I’m not dissing it.

Everything has to start from somewhere and change doesn’t happen overnight I think over time as the music and its listeners become more diverse this attracted a lot more listeners but none of this would be possible if people like The Herd, Hilltop Hoods, Tzu, Drapht, 360, Phrase, KillaQueenz and NFA weren’t breaking grounds and experimenting with music to a point. It now feels like we are finally getting to a stage where its out of the back yard and now to an international level. I think all the MC’s in Australia have played a part, power in numbers.

What one thing does Hip Hop need right now?
I think festivals like Sprung (Australia’s first all Hip Hop festival) helps strengthen the scene. If radio and media gave more dedicated support to our music we would see Hip Hop in Australia take off in a crazy way. The more we celebrate it the more people are going to hear it.

What is the biggest misconception of Diafrix?
That we are American!

What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?
Playing Glastonbury was definitely a highlight to be the first Australian Hip Hop band to play there I never thought that would happen.

You have toured overseas a couple of times how has the reception been to your music and are there plans to go again soon?
We are looking to definitely tour overseas again soon. It was nice to tour in other countries and have people half way across the world bump to your shit. That’s the kind of thing that keeps the spirit alive.

How important is it for you to be role models to the younger generation?
Living in Australia we never really had straight up role models we could relate to or identify with. I think that’s why we related to Hip Hop so much because there was nothing else closer. It’s a nice feeling when people approach you like “I relate to what your talking about” that’s really motivating and inspiring. There’s a lot of up and coming artists coming into the scene from all walks of life and different ethnic backgrounds now who we can relate to. I think its dope I want to see more of it, with more stories there’s more music!

What advice would you give to up and coming artists?
Beat on your craft. Keep working on it and keep putting your music out there to get feedback good or bad you will always learn something from it.

What does the future hold for Diafrix?
Right now its all about “Pocket Full Of Dreams” getting the world to hear it.

What’s your definition of Grindin’?
Steady on the hustle no hesitation.