STM 165 - Damien Dubrovnik

Damien Dubrovnik is the Danish noise duo of Loke Rahbek (known for Croatian Amor, Lust for Youth, Var) and Christian Stadsgaard (Vanity Productions, The Empire Line). Together, they are also the founders of the seminal Copenhagen label Posh Isolation.

Damien Dubrovnik’s sound is a crystalline aesthetic combination of raw power electronics intensity and romantic ambient decadence, unveiled through an intimate performative expressiveness. Their album Vegas Fountain stands as a defining document of this artistic world. From the piercing abrasiveness of “Interior 1, Upper Lip” to the melancholic synth patterns of the title track, the record leads the listener through a seductive, intimate space of sound and emotion. It manages to be both personal and universal, exploding in a sheerly confessional manner empowered by subtle lyrical content.

As Loke stated in an interview for Secret Thirteen: “We want the exaggerated movements of a well-performed lie to help us understand something true, namely the artist’s truth and if it is skillfully done, some of that will become our truth.” Those who have witnessed their dynamic, immersive live shows know how easy it is to become embroiled in their sharply elegant noise.

Secret Thirteen Mix 165 was compiled by Loke Rahbek. It serves as a map of the influences instrumental in shaping the duo’s sound. Even though it may not be obvious at first, Damien Dubrovnik’s aesthetic presence pierces all of these musical pieces. The selection has numerous interconnected layers which can all be traced back to the project’s sonic and artistic core.

The narrative explores the boundaries of the frighteningly beautiful through the avant-garde balladry of Scott Walker, the fatal dramatism of Nico, and the chamber lyricism of Arthur Russell. It also holds a very personal ambient textural core—the intimate hospital field recordings of Arv & Miljö, the melancholic cinematic haziness of Erik Enocksson, and a drone excerpt from Iannis Xenakis. The inclusion of Ancient Greek music played by Atrium Musicae de Madrid and the Balkan touch of Goran Bregović adds additional diversity and flavor to the mix.

The dynamics are carefully orchestrated; introspective moments coexist with abrasive noise, while subtle micro-drones stand next to epic chamber voyages. It is emotionally touching, thoughtfully expressive, and charming in its own peculiar way, mirroring the twisted surreal forms of Gyarmathy Tihamér’s painting Lights and Shadows.