MTM’s Joshua Smotherman recently reviewed diNMachine’s “Dance To Reason.” We figured it was high time we got to know a bit more about this sound artist Michael J. Schumacher.
What attracted you to the styles you practice?
I love to move to music, love electronics and computers to make music.
How long have you been making music? Have you been performing or sharing it with the public all that time?
50 years. yes!
Who or what influences your writing and performance?
Everything.
It seems all creative people go through rough patches or writer’s block of some sort. What motivates you to keep going?
The meaning of life is work. This is my work.
Were you trying to accomplish something different or specific with this project – creatively or otherwise?
I’m reaching back and moving forward, playing rock music again after many years of avant garde work, but also learning a lot about beats, styles, mixing and performing.
What was the last song you listened to?
Yatima by the Egyptian Music Club
Do you prefer a certain medium for listening – vinyl, CDs, mp3, reel-to-reel, Pono,(lol sort of)?
no
If you had to choose one place to host your music, would you prefer Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, or … ?
I hope I never have to make that choice.
Do you ever feel as if your tunes are lost in a sea of music? What are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract new listeners?
Convincing people that 1) it’s actually not that “difficult” music and 2) getting people to relax about pigeon-holing.
Are you playing on live stages, clubs, bars, the local town picnic, festivals?
We prefer venues where people are there to listen, rather than to socialize.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and/or discover more of your music?
http://dinmachine.com/
Can you share an anecdote or tale of woe or inspiration like a story about an out-of-touch club manager, your favorite fan interaction, broken busses, or you know… just some experience in your musical journey you’ll never forget?
I once played a concert for one person, who promptly fell asleep as soon as I’d begun. I played for more than an hour while she slept, occasionally rolling over or grunting, but staying asleep the whole time. As soon as I stopped she opened her eyes and said, in a beatific voice, “that was lovely!”
Lightning Round
What’s your favorite ice cream?
chocolate
Dream vehicle?
Datsun 510
Sailing yacht, catamaran, bass boat, or kayak?
bass boat, of course!
Place on Earth you must visit some day
Kerry International Dark Sky reserve
Batman or Spiderman?
batman
James Bond or Jason Borne?
bond
Bugs Bunny or Anime?
Bunime
Favorite beer or beverage of pleasure?
Modelo Especial
Movie or book quote you are liable to drop at the wrong moment?
“I’ve been afraid a lot of times in my life, but I didn’t know the real meaning of fear until…until I kissed Becky” (Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956)
Left with a choice of one instrument, which would you keep?
steiner parker synthacon http://www.vintagesynth.com/misc/synthacon.php
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
I really want to shout out to all the African, African-American and Afro-Cuban musicians throughout all time for giving us so much inspiration. That’s not to belittle in any way the contributions of European and other musicians (Middle East, Asia) but just to say that, for me, right now, I am so grateful for the continuation of African musical traditions in their many, many forms.
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