BEHIND THE SOUND: DIVORCE FROM NEW YORK
Known for his seminal albums ‘Sausalito’ on High Praise and ‘Brick Lane’ on Tokonoma Records, and based in San Sebastián, Divorce From New York creates a rich web of sonic flavours as diverse as Broken Beat, Jungle and House. All woven together through his jazz sensibility of uplifting instrumentation and intricately syncopated rhythms.
His latest single release, ‘The Bowl’ on our debut compilation ‘We Move as One’ showcases the artist’s talents to blend genres in a cohesive way through his arrangements, bringing both emotion and dance to his production.
We sat down with the man behind ‘The Bowl’ to learn more about his creative process.
Tell us about your song, ‘The Bowl’, on the compilation.
It's a bruk track in which I recorded the flute with my partner in crime Arturo, a saxophonist and flautist with whom I usually collaborate on many of my tracks. The idea came from some near-field recordings I made when I was in the Ivory Coast and three chords with my Juno 106, and a bass that I had recorded with my band, Reykjavik606. The truth is that everything was short.
What sounds, genres, and artists do you draw inspiration from normally in your creative process?
Without a doubt, my favourite genres are jazz, bruk and Chicago house. Although I could put a very long list of artists that inspire me, I always love what artists like Footshooter, Quiet Dawn, Tom Manzarek, Last Nubian, Kaidi Tatham, Ron Trent, Joe Claussell, EVM, Donsurf or Streeton do. Still, the one I have the most devotion to is Moodymann.
Do you have a fixed way of creating music? Where do you normally start an idea form?
I usually start with a percussion idea and follow it with a Rhodes or Juno 106 chord. If I think the idea is cool, I'll continue. I also sample a lot, which makes me start with groove-filled ideas. Sixty or seventy per cent of the music I buy is for sampling.
Any words of wisdom for anyone wanting to realise a creative project?
When you sit down in the studio, try to enjoy yourself to the fullest. Don't try to start making a track with the premise of making a track, but rather try to experiment for the sake of enjoying it and trying random things. If you suddenly have a cool idea, then consider starting the track.
Do you have any upcoming projects we should keep an eye out for?
At the end of the month a remix will be released on Yoni Mayraz's latest album on a track with Tenderlonious, it will be released on the label of bass legend Pino Palladino, also at the end of July a track on the compilation of the great curator ‘Somewhere Soul’ and at the end of the year or beginning of 2026 my next EP on High Praise with very powerful remixes.
What album or EP will you likely have on repeat for the rest of the summer?
Yoni Mayraz's next album, which is a delight, and all the releases that the ‘Spring Revisited’ label is putting out.
Any books, movies, or series you’re currently watching and would recommend, why?
I'm really looking forward to the new season of Squid Game and Stranger Things coming out. I'm a big fan of both, especially Stranger Things, because I'm very nostalgic for the 80s and it reminds me of how much fun I had as a kid.
Any live performances/radio shows you’ve done and want to share?
The live I did at Piñata Radio, a radio station in Montpellier, France, that I'm a big fan of.
