The Obelisk Questionnaire: Adriaan De Raymaeker of Dorre
The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.
Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.
Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.
The Obelisk Questionnaire: Adriaan De Raymaeker of Dorre
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How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?
I just mess around with guitars and amplifiers. I wouldn’t call myself a musician, because that would imply that I know what I’m doing or have a formal background in music theory/practice. I basically just started to fiddle around on cheapo gear when I was 15-16 or so and grew into heavier experimental music by jamming with friends. From there it kind of grew into fixed formation bands, where I ended up sticking with one dedicated project, Dorre.
Describe your first musical memory.
This is a tough one, I think my first real musical memory is a festival my parents took me to when I was five years old? I remember being lifted up on a chair by a very friendly woman and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers playing, it was loads of fun. The festival was Couleur Café in Brussels, my parents took me to all kinds of cultural events but I think this was the first full-on festival. There were a bunch of other bands playing but I only remember Ziggy Marley to be honest.
Describe your best musical memory to date.
Again, a tough one, because there are so many. But I’d have to say it’s probably the first concert me and my partner went to together, The Mars Volta in de Vooruit in Ghent. She’d never heard of the band and I’d been a longtime fan, so I dragged her along to it and she absolutely loved it. I just remember looking at her while Cedric unleashed his voice on the crowd from about a meter away of his microphone and her eyes going wide in surprise and delight.
I’ll add a second one, because I could list a bunch of memories of gigs and festivals I’ve played myself, but I think the main one there would be Desertfest Belgium as it was and still is the biggest show we’ve ever played with Dorre. The feeling of playing for a full concert hall, even being the first band on the lineup for the last day of the fest, was amazing.
When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?
I’ve lost quite a few friends to suicide. I used to think that suicide was a cop-out, the easy way, a belief I no longer hold due to the struggles I’ve seen in many of my friends.
Where do you feel artistic progression leads?
A more focused view on what you want to achieve as an artist. Again, I don’t really want to describe myself as a musician, or artist, I just play music or a semblance of music, and when I move ahead in that, be it on a technical or a personal level, it just makes it more clear where I want to end up or what I actually want to be doing.
How do you define success?
Success, in the context of this questionnaire, is keeping a group of friends together while having output that everybody involved is happy with. Success, in general, to me, is what I already have. A loving partner, an inquisitive and kind child, a job that gives me fulfillment and freedom, a band that I can create with, friends that I can relate to and open up to.
What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?
I don’t think there’s anything I would wish to unsee or unknow. I can’t say I’ve seen many terrible things in person.
Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.
I’m in the process of creating a first version of it, but I would very much like to build my own full-scale recording studio.
What do you believe is the most essential function of art?
For the person consuming art: inspiration, relaxation and an escape from reality.
For the person creating art: an outlet for creativity and emotion and a platform to tell a story.
Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?
In the last year, me and my partner have been working towards a more ecological and generally sustainable life. End of this year our cargo bike is set to arrive, which will replace about 80% of my car travel, I’m very much looking forward to zipping around with the kid in the cargo bike.
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