We caught up with Dega to talk about his music. At Indiy we champion musicians.

Let's get to it...

What do you enjoy most about being an independent musician?

No time constraints on production, freedom of creativity.

Adding to the culture and validating the core of the culture, not the cookie cutter version, and not going with the 'what's in now' thought process.

If we were to peek over your shoulder, what does your studio look like? What gear do you typically use?

I downgraded my studio from two keyboards, a Triton Studio, Roland XP 60, and Roland VS 1824 to now...a more digital setup!

I really like using my hands and the digital aspect takes a lot of that away, but I'm learning to live with it.

And I now use Akai Professional Studio, MPX8, M Audio 49es, and Sonar Producer DAW, but I'm in the process of upgrading it.

How would you want people to describe your latest project in a tweet?

Most of my creativity now goes into soundtracks of screenplays that I'm writing, so everything is 'in house'. All Me.

What makes a good song in your opinion?

Creativity. Lyrical dexterity, a catchy hook, and a strong beat.

I am from the Boom Bap age, so the snare has to pop.

How do you know that you want to work with other artists or groups and bands?

I feel it!...If someone I know and trust refers them and says they have a strong work ethic and are dependable, I strongly consider it.

Do you plan your music releases, or do you just finish a song and release it?

I plan my music releases and I try to control as much of the process myself as I can.

What can we expect from you within the next 6 months? Any releases planned? Future gigs?

A short film with my music for the soundtrack, and hopefully a feature film, written and scored by me.

Are there any collaborations, past or future that you are excited about?

Not at this time...I really focus on my projects, and at the moment I am in talks with a company to do some videography and production for movies and skits.

Which artists inspire your creative process?

Other artists who I respect from my genre...
Old school soul artists, action movies, life, romance, etc.

What are your top five favorite albums of all time & why those albums?

That is so very difficult to say!
I am inspired by so many artists from so many genres, that I'm more particular to their specific songs rather than albums.
The S.O.S Band has so many albums that I like different songs off of, I feel I'm not doing them justice by picking one, but I like their vocal and musical arrangements and instrumentation used in their music.
Prince, the same. Roger Troutman and Zapp, EPMD, very creative, so on and so forth.

Where can we find you on social media?

YouTube: Von Dega
Instagram: @originaldirkdiggz
Twitter: @3_threat_grafix
And I'm currently working on creating a FB page!