Dardust and those 21 grams that AI will never replace
Dardust is about to embark on a European tour, but this time, things feel different. A master of sonic and visual storytelling, he’s stepping out from behind the lights and smoke, choosing minimalism over spectacle. In this conversation, he shares what’s driving this shift, why he thrives on the unexpected, and how his vision of music collides with the pulse of the modern city. From challenging the perception of piano music to staying ahead of the technological curve, his reflections reveal a mind constantly searching for new frontiers—both in sound and in self.
Your music often feels like a reaction to the noise and chaos of modern life. How do you stay connected to your own emotional landscape as the world keeps moving faster, especially when you’re balancing both personal and creative pressures?
Rather than escaping from the noise and chaos of modern life, I’ve tried to find my emotional core by rooting the expressiveness of my piano in contemporary urban environments. The contemporary piano world is often associated with nature, calm, and relaxation, and the sound of the piano is frequently treated as background music—for sleeping, unwinding, studying… essentially, as an ambient backdrop. I did exactly the opposite: I sought to bring the colors of the piano into the urban landscape and make them coexist with its surrounding sounds.
You’ve always seemed to carve your own path in music. What excites you the most about the possibilities still left to explore in sound and composition?
I’m interested in tracing a path that draws from tradition while at the same time creating a twist, a clash—something unexpected, both sonically and visually. I like to defy expectations, to create something new. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but for me, the goal remains the same. Ultimately, what excites me the most is anything that surprises me first.
Urban Impressionism has a cinematic quality, but it’s not bound by a linear narrative. How do you approach creating moments in your music that might speak differently to each listener, without trying to control their experience?
I never worry about the output of my music or how it will be received or perceived. What matters to me is that, in the creative process, there is something that resonates deeply within me—something honest, pure, and sincere. Because if the wave that starts from me is genuine, it will inevitably reverberate in some way within the listener. How that happens is no longer in my control, and I worry about it less.
Technology and sound are ever-changing. As new tools and platforms emerge, how do you see them enhancing or transforming the way music connects with audiences? What’s exciting to you about the future of music production?
I always try to stay updated and study all the new software and plugins that come out every week, as well as explore analog synthesis from the past. For me, anything new is something that projects me into the future, even if it comes from the past, simply because it’s unknown to me. I’m intrigued by everything that remains unexplored. I’m a curious child at heart, and it’s my duty to stay that way because creativity depends precisely on maintaining this sense of wonder toward the world.
As you gear up for the European tour, what’s inspiring you this time around to push the live experience even further? What can fans expect that will feel different or even unexpected in the performance?
It will be a minimalist experience in terms of both visuals and sound design. I want the piano and all its effect extensions to be at the core of everything. This time, I will provide the visuals myself by speaking for the first time—introducing the pieces and sharing my experiences. It’s a completely new challenge because I’m usually hidden behind stage smoke, lasers, lights, and visuals without saying a word. Now it's time to step forward and expose myself. This experience will definitely help me grow.
You’ve always been at the intersection of innovation and tradition. What do you think is the next frontier for musicians, especially for those who are trying to create something that feels both personal and universal?
The next frontier will be about giving more space to the soul—to those 21 grams that artificial intelligence will never be able to replace. And I’d say that’s no small challenge.
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