Berlin-based trio Dina Summer return with their second studio album, ‘Girls Gang’ – 11 new tracks released via their own Iptamenos Discos imprint.
We caught up with them to talk about the new release, the creative process behind it, and what else might be on the horizon for one of Europe’s most exciting production groups.
How is life for Dina Summer right now?
Life for Dina Summer is exciting and a little exhausting at the same time! We recently released ‘Girls Gang’ and the response has been incredible – we’re super proud of this album, and it really feels like everything’s coming together. Right now, we’re mostly busy touring and doing lots of behind the scenes work with our label. Iptamenos Discos, because the work around the album is far from over.
You’re currently in the process of releasing your new album ‘Girls Gang’ – what made you decide to release it in two-week parts?
It’s a mix of relief and pure joy! We poured so much love, energy, and time into this album – it really was a labor of passion. While we were very happy with the result ourselves, there’s always that lingering uncertainty about how it will land with others. That’s why the response has meant so much to us – it’s been amazing, and we couldn’t be happier.
It’s your second album, following your 2022-released ‘Rimini’ LP, what lessons did the first album teach you that you carried over to this one?
When we released ‘Rimini’, we had zero expectations. It was our first album, and we honestly had no idea it would resonate so strongly with so many people. That experience gave us a lot of confidence – but with ‘Girls Gang’, the expectations were definitely higher. Still, we made a conscious decision to trust our instincts and give ourselves full creative freedom in the studio. We didn’t want to overthink things. The only direction we agreed on from the start was to include more “band” songs alongside the electronic ones.
Which albums were you listening to most that brought inspiration during the production process?
We weren’t necessarily listening to specific albums with this project in mind, but music is such a huge part of our daily lives. For Max and me, it’s also part of our day jobs, since we’re both working in the music industry, and we are also constantly digging for tracks for our Local Suicide DJ sets. So we’re immersed in music pretty much all the time.
All three of us are big lovers of ’80s sounds! Artists like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Fad Gadget, Gary Numan, Ultravox, Yazoo, The Human League, OMD, The Normal, DAF, Front 242, Absolute Body Control, Sisters of Mercy, and The Neon Judgement have definitely shaped my musical DNA.
I got into electronic music through The Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy, and when I started DJing, I was really into electro and electroclash – Miss Kittin, The Hacker, Egyptian Lover, Anthony Rother, Vitalic, David Carretta, Soulwax, DJ Hell – and as you might have noticed, I still am!
I’m also very inspired by contemporary acts like She Past Away, Boy Harsher, Curses, and Sextile – just to name a few. The list could go on forever. That said, we’re super open when it comes to genres – we enjoy music as a whole, without any limits or boundaries. Whatever moves us finds its way into our world.
Any plans for a remix pack or something similar?
We’re beyond excited about this. We invited some of our favourite producers and friends to reimagine tracks from ‘Girls Gang’, and the result is a super diverse and powerful remix collection. Initially, we planned just four remixes by pioneers DJ Hell, Damon Jee, Phunkadelica, and The Populists, but in the end, we couldn’t resist the temptation to have all the tracks reworked.
So, there will be a steady stream of fresh and fascinating remixes dropping over the next few months – and of course, the remixes 12″ is dropping on April 25th.
Some versions lean more into techno, others bring out the funk or push the EBM vibes further – it’s a whole new experience of ‘Girls Gang’. For us, it’s always thrilling to see how different artists interpret our songs and what unique elements they bring to the table.
How about further down the line, what’s on the calendar for you this summer?
First, the ‘Girls Gang’ remixes will be released gradually. We also have nearly finished new music that we’re excited to share – either later this year or early next year.
We just wrapped up shooting the video for ‘Girls Gang’, with the incredibly talented director Simone Pellegrini leading the project. We brought our gang together for the shoot, and it was such a blast – we can’t wait to see the final result!
As for gigs, we’ve got a bunch of exciting shows and festivals coming up, with a short midsummer break to recharge before jumping back into the action.
Anything else to add before we go?
Just a big thank you to everyone who’s been supporting the project – whether by listening, buying our music, playing it, coming to shows, or spreading the word. Girls Gang is more than just a record to us – it’s a shoutout to anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, who’s found strength in community, or who dares to be different.
We see you, and we’re with you. Stay loud, stay weird, and see you on the dancefloor.
Dina Summer – Girls Gang LP is out now on Ipatamenos Discos.