In Conversation with Diolini

Neo-soul and jazz artist Diolini invites listeners on a sonic journey with her latest EP, Dreamer’s Paradise. Known for her unique blend of sultry vocals, lo-fi vibes, and heartfelt storytelling, the Swakopmund-based singer-songwriter reflects on dreams, desires, and personal growth in her newest offering. Produced by the talented Kid Wasabi, the EP showcases a seamless fusion of live instrumentation and innovative beats across four captivating tracks.

Read below as we delve into Diolini’s creative process, her inspirations, and the magic behind Dreamer’s Paradise.

Your new EP Dreamer’s Paradise explores themes like dreams, desires, and personal growth. What inspired you to delve into these concepts, and how do they reflect your current state of mind as an artist?
It’s kind of natural because I create from my life’s perspective so my work reflects my life in any particular moment. My art is like a mosaic of feelings and life experiences, and it comes through me when I’m in the moment and when I’m moved by a melody.

You describe your sound as a hybrid of Sade, Faith Evans, and Raveena. How do these influences manifest in your music, and how do you balance honouring them while staying true to your unique voice?
I’ve had some of these influences since I was quite young and they have deeply shaped what I prefer musically, and what I desire to create sonically. The sultry, soothing essence of Sade’s voice, the powerful runs that Faith Evans incorporates in her melodies, and the gentle, dreamy approach of Raveena—these are all things that I’m inspired by when I’m singing. I’d like to think of myself as someone with a bit more edge, in my writing and my melodic structures, but I allow their influences to shine through effortlessly as their music has been a part of my journey for quite some time now. Just to be clear, I don’t aim to emulate, I simply allow myself to have room for inspiration – at all times.

Dreamer’s Paradise marks your third project and your second EP. How does this release differ from Relics of the Sun and Butterfly Echo in terms of style, themes, and/or your creative process?
With Relics, I was testing the waters, still discovering my sound, kind of experimenting and appeasing to what I thought people expected from me. Butterfly was the re-introduction of Dio. A statement of who I am and just me getting to truly create the sound that I’ve always been enthralled with and wanted to create.
With Dreamer’s it’s different in the sense that I’m on a ship that has sailed off now. I’m navigating with ease and there’s nothing to prove. Just me in my element, riding the wave, making the music of my dreams and sharing it with the world.

Your EP was fully produced by Kid Wasabi. What drew you to work with him, and what aspects of his production style resonate most with your musical vision?
Wasabi and I had been plotting on working together since 2022. Before that, we’d spent a lot of time talking and creating music with no strings attached… just having fun basically. The process of working on Butterfly Echo was so smooth and effortless that it just made sense to keep making music together. His approach is different from any other producer that I have worked with before, in the sense that he’s a true lover of music, adamant on studying the art and growing in his field as much as possible. He’s the only producer I’ve ever worked with who uses MPC One as well as live instrumentation to build his masterpieces. His sound is eclectic, creative, fresh, and timeless. It’s truly a no-brainer that I chose to work with him and he’s definitely one to watch in the realm of music production.

Could you share any specific moments from your collaboration with Kid Wasabi that shaped the sound or direction of Dreamer’s Paradise?
It started with a guitar melody he was playing. He kept playing it and once we took it to the MPC One, we added drums and keys. It was just so much fun at that point because that is often where I get involved, and it almost feels like, although we have different approaches, the vision and intention are the same. Once we had something that felt more complete, I began writing to it, and the rest is magical history. That process became sort of the blueprint of the project. Most of the songs started off with a guitar melody and Rhodes.

The EP’s tracks, “Dreamer’s Paradise,” “Beautiful Fantasy,” “Memory Haze,” and “City Lights”—sound intriguing. Could you walk us through the narrative or emotions behind one of these tracks and how Kid Wasabi helped bring it to life?
On Kid Wasabi’s first album Cosmic Womb with his previous duo Peacemakers, they featured me on a song titled Affordable 80’s. The song speaks on cruising down a highway, basically living out your dreams. When I was writing the lyrics for that song, I had never had a conversation with anyone about what inspired it or anything. Fast forward to one of our many conversations, Kid Wasabi mentions how weird it is that what he was envisioning on his verse for that song is exactly what I captured in my lyrics as well. Fast-forward to when we made City Lights—we put down keys, we put down drums, Kid Wasabi played the sickest bass line of his life, and I sang the opening lyrics, “I’ve been riding, through the city”. It’s a complete full circle moment from “Affordable 80’s,” only this time it’s a joint vision, and we’re both in on the “joke,” so to speak.

Your music blends genres like neo-soul, jazz, and R&B, often with a laid-back, lo-fi vibe. How did you approach the production to maintain this signature sound while evolving as an artist?
We often have days where we go through our vinyl collection and listen to different records for inspiration. We allow the music to speak for itself and we’re never thinking of what exactly we want to create. Instead, we let the project guide us, and tell us what it wants to be. It’s important to remain open as an artist. Live instrumentation is a must, and the music has to feel good to us, and natural as well. With that sort of guidance, we always stay true to the vibe.

Having performed on both local and international stages, how have these experiences influenced your artistic growth and your perspective on creating music?
It’s taught me to be open to different artistic perspectives. I worked with multiple different composers on this project, great instrumentalists in their own right, and it’s been incredible. My experiences have taught me to be confident in who I am and the art that I create.

As you are about to enter 2025 with two major projects, what are your aspirations for the future? Are there any specific messages or feelings you hope listeners take away from Dreamer’s Paradise?
Firstly, I want to sell out the last few copies of Butterfly Echo and for Dreamer’s Paradise to reach larger audiences far and wide. Then, I just want people to dream big! Life on earth is only a tiny speck of what we get to experience spiritually, so dream big and make the most of it!