Unpacking the 3Package Deal 2016: Marnix Dorrestein

In the upcoming months, we’ll be catching up with the fifteen eclectic, genre-bending participants of the 3Package Deal 2016 as they work on their craft and prepare themselves for their final presentations in the wide-ranging fields of visual arts, fashion, film, theatre, urban dance, social design and even olfactory art.

1. 
Early 2017 we visited Marnix Dorrestein, otherwise known as IX. On a sprawling estate in the Dutch countryside, in a monumental house temporarily transformed into an improvised-yet-professional sound studio, we watched and listened as the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and composer and his band recorded their upcoming EP: “I don’t want to be a chameleon forever. Finding focus is way more interesting - and scary as hell.”

2.
"I grew up listening to The Beatles. But I also listen to a lot of African music. I find it very inspiring. It’s not focused on tonality as much, but on melody and rhythm. And the sixties of course, Syd Barrett. I’ve been adding electronic music recently too."

3.
"I used to record everything myself. I’d only collaborate when mixing. This EP was recorded together with the others." (Jasper Slijderink, keys; Jelle Huiberts, percussion; David Hoogerheide, synth wizard; and Jurriaan Sielcken, producer, -red).

4.
"My songs are always personal. Even when they’re in third person, they’re still about me." 

5.
There’s this one song, for instance, in which I talk about the gender systems we uphold. The fact that everything has to be either male or female. I don’t really get that. That’s also why I want to release this EP as a piece of clothing with a download code rather than a CD. I would be great if I could collaborate with (gender neutral, -red) label NHTK on the release. I like their work.

6.
Right now, I’m focused on finding my own identity and staying true to myself, so people can recognize who I am - whether that’s as IX, or as a producer for other musicians. 

7.
People know what they can call me for by now. I’m at the stage where if something doesn’t fit, I’d rather just recommend someone else.

8.
I wanted to capture that live energy. It was a challenge, but it all went really well.

9.
We’re touring Eastern Europe this April. Perhaps Korea, Taiwan and China afterwards. Or maybe Eastern Russia like we did last summer.

10.
I want to create things I like. Bowie said it too: if he liked it, there had to be others that did, too.  

11.
It doesn’t have to be pop music. I can also be an endless groovebass track, or synths that are so out of tune they make your ears hurt. I love that kind of stuff.

12.
I’m doing a lot more this year with the 3Package Deal, not just the EP. I just returned from an inspiring trip to Paris, and I’m organizing a one-day summer festival, full of everything that’s influenced me.

13.
Right now, I feel like: fuck it, I only want to do what I love. I don’t care that much about what people want to hear, or what the radio wants to play.

About the 3Package Deal

The 3Package Deal talent scheme - a collaboration between the AFK and Bureau Broedplaatsen (BBp) - assists and encourages exceptional young artists through affordable live/work spaces, a development budget of € 22.500 and professional encouragement from a coalition of renowned Amsterdam art institutions. Marnix Dorrestein is part of this year’s Music Coalition, with Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ, the Conservatory and Tolhuistuin.