Back To Mine With Syd DePalma

Madrid-based Syd dePalma is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and electronic producer. With several EP releases on digital and physical labels, he has collaborated (as Galera) with Shubostar on the German label Permanent Vacation and also published physically on his own label Subterranea, based in Berlin. As his new ‘El Lugar de Arder’ LP drops on Raso Estudio, DMCWorld goes back to mine with Syd dePalma.

Golpes Bajos – No Mires a los Ojos de la Gente

The most innovative and prolific band musically speaking of “La Movida”, but from Vigo, at the time of the transition in Spain. The lyrics make you tremble “No mires a los ojos de la gente, Me dan miedo, siempre mienten (“Don’t look into people’s eyes, they scare me, they always lie)”. I’m really impressed by how festive it can sound, when the lyrics are someone asking for help.

Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond

There are two types of people, those who love Pink Floyd and know that they are the band of the universe, and those who don’t. I chose to believe in fantasy, sorry.

Oneohtrix Point Never – The Station

Lopatin seems to have bought a ticket to the future to always be a few steps ahead of everyone else.

David Bowie – Subterraneans

I remember hearing this track for the first time without knowing what time, or if it was Sunday or Monday, in a studio I shared in Berlin with my friend Santacruz, and noticing that somehow those notes and that saxophone had haunted me for many years before without having heard it. It had to be at that precise moment when I realised a circle was closed.

Coil – Fire of the Mind

Both the lyrics and the music make this track an alchemist ritual. Holy Holy Holy Holy Holy John.

Godspeed you Black Emperor – The Sad Mafioso

Appreciating the patience with which people could make music in an era that seems so far away reminds me that there is still hope in this world where you only have 30 seconds to know if something is good or bad. I don’t know what would have happened with Godspeed in 2023, luckily they are from another era, when being sad gives you confidence.

Talk Talk – The Rainbow

It seems that there is nothing random in this album. Everything is in its right measure at the right time. So many styles and so many emotions converge, that I think it may be one of the albums that has influenced me the most when it comes to transmitting emotions musically.

 

Of Montreal – The Past Is A Grotesque Animal

It is demonstrated that being insistent with a basic pattern can reach the climax without tiring you. This song has united me with different people that I have met throughout my life, it is a filter of friendships.

Nicolas Jaar – Sirens

Probably the album I’ve listened to the most times lying on the floor, one of the few albums I’ve listened to where the production is pure art and every sound is impossible to decipher. You must listen to the whole album, you can’t just listen to one song.

Triana – Abre la Puerta

The song has accompanied me the longest in my life and I never get tired of carrying it with me. In it I can find all the things I like in a musical work.

Syd DePalma ‘El Lugar de Arder’ LP is out now on Raso Estudio.