Interview with Dimitri
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
For me its society, umm I moulded my views from my up bringing!My father has very strong philosophical views pertaining to socio economic political well being and obviously that has been passed down through the family bond.Thats what led me to be concious. Interms of the sound, in my home there was rock, jazz, bluegrass, blues and everyday radio in zimbabwe in the 90’s.
Explain the concept of your music?
Activism constructed through experience, jotted through poetry and plotted via interpretive sound. We mesh emotion with a construct of everyday people thinking and a hope to undo the gag order on freedom of expression.
Why the Scarecorws?
The Scarecrow stems from Zimbabwe being a hugely agrarian based economy during the land invasions/reform. We believe in the partitioning of land to the people but remain true to the vision untainted by political greed.
If you were given the opportunity which proffessional artist would you work with?
My cousin Mizchif, John Forte, Jose Gonzalez, San Sebb, Aero5ol, Zubz, Wax Taylor, Mos Def, Solillaquists of Sound, Chali 2na, DJ Premier.
What was Dimitri & the Scarecrow up to in 2014?
We have rocked HIFA (Youthzone) and Shoko Festival. We rocked the Book Cafe and have done the Afrikan Hip-Hop Caravan in Cape Town the second year running!
What are your future plans ?
Plan to expand our scope and perform regularly. Host a complete concert with dynamism and capturing our musical imagination. The only limits are financial (If only you could see what images play in my mind). An EP is coming out in 2015 speculatively called, Removing the Gag Order.
Whats the weirdest thing a fan has done or said to you?
I have had a fan state that she wanted to rock my lead singer and lead guitarist Boyroc’s (Vengai Ota), world in a very err… Nasty manner! Another fan just felt me up!
What collaborations can we expect?
On the new project (7 tracks) we have our first official big collaboration with the genius Upmost My BruthaZkeepa! It’s a piece of awesome flow and vibrance.
how can your fans reach you
www.reverbnation.com/dimitriandthescarecrow, www.facebook.com/dimitriandthescarecrow, Twitter @scarecrowZW
Any words of wisdom to the youth of zimbabwe?
Hold the government responsible for your state of affairs in all their promises and how their application of policy is impacting on your world. Freedom is easy to preach but it’s not a struggle for the weak. Believe with a conviction that goes beyond physical barriers and speak what you know is true. The first thing we must do is make it okay just to talk about “it!” Rebellion needs to be done with a positive hope on the outcome. Stay true to yourself, don’t believe the hype and to hell with all who would threaten our liberties. Our rights are bestowed in our bloodline through generations of struggle.
