Spirit Interview 02 - Artist <ddbb> and Their Debut EP
[dark]
ddbb is a music duo based in Busan and Seoul, South Korea
Thank you so much for taking the time for this interview! To start, could you briefly introduce yourselves and the band?
Juri Jung Hello! We’re ddbb, a band creating music that traverses between brightness and darkness. I’m Juri, the vocalist of the team.
Kyung-ho Kim Nice to meet you! I’m Kyung-ho, and I handle bass and various technical roles in ddbb.
How did you start the band? What led you to form this team?
Juri I was working on music alone when I happened to reconnect with Sang-heon, someone I’d known before. Around the same time, I was introduced to Kyung-ho through a mutual acquaintance. Initially, we started as a trio. It began as a casual session project, but after a few rehearsals, I realized that their individuality and talent were far too remarkable for a simple session collaboration.
I wanted to showcase their strengths to the world. That’s how we started as a trio. Earlier this year, Sang-heon, our guitarist, concluded his journey with the band, so now it’s just Kyung-ho and me continuing as a duo.
Your first EP, [dark], was released in October. Could you freely share its themes and story?
Juri [dark] represents the “d” in ddbb. The album explores everything from ordinary love stories to breakups, hidden inner darkness, twisted desires, and anger. Yet, it carries a narrative of not succumbing to the darkness and finding a glimmer of positivity amidst it.
What does the title [dark] signify? Is there a deeper meaning beyond the word “dark”?
Juri The last track, "new menu," answers this perfectly. This song tells you that even when your worst day unfolds, it’s still the best day of your life, and you’ll find a way to overcome it. There are things you gain only by enduring dark times. I wanted to share a story about facing darkness head-on and looking at it from a new perspective.
The album cover’s cold blue tones perfectly match the eerie vibe of your songs. How was the artwork created?
Juri We scoured maps to find the perfect location for the cover shoot. We decided on a neighborhood undergoing redevelopment to fit the album’s atmosphere. My younger sibling took the photos, and we spent a long time experimenting in that space to capture the right image.
What does this first EP mean to you both? What goals or aspirations did you have while creating it?
Juri I had many worries when we started. Being a duo and working on our first album meant stepping into a lot of unknowns. But through this project, I learned so much about Kyung-ho’s abilities, which often amazed me. Every time he sent me his work, I found myself in awe. This album contains everything we love and genuinely wanted to do, so while the process was challenging, it was also deeply enjoyable.
Kyung-ho I wanted the songs to evoke a sense of “Wait, what?!”—a strange and new sensation for listeners. Personally, I hope our music serves as a stepping stone to expand into electronic music in the future.
Was there a particular track on the album that stood out to you or held special meaning?
Juri My favorite changes constantly, but right now, it’s "Kasabian." When I wrote it in 2022, I had a lot of bitterness in my heart, so the lyrics turned out dark. Expressing those heavy, indescribable emotions through music felt cathartic. After a recent performance, someone told me, “It felt like you were performing a ritual.” This track is like an emotional cleansing for me.
Kyung-ho I have a special attachment to "haddy," but I also love "rabbit dash" and "Kasabian" equally. Honestly, while working on each track, I kept wondering, “Could anyone else but Juri bring this song to life?” Her voice is what makes our music so unique, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
You chose "comes and goes" and "new menu" as double title tracks. Why did you pick these two, and what makes them special?
Juri These tracks encapsulate the message that we won’t remain in the dark. While their colors are somewhat similar, they’re distinct in their own ways. "comes and goes" expresses frustration and despair but refuses to stay stuck in anger. Meanwhile, "new menu" carries a skewed optimism, asserting that today is the best day of your life even if it feels bleak.
After [dark], do you have plans for your next album or project? What’s your direction moving forward?
Juri We’re planning to release the follow-up EP, [bright], next year. I’m excited to see how ddbb’s “bright” will unfold, so stay tuned!
Finally, any message you’d like to share with the readers of this interview?
Juri It might sound rough, but I always want to say thank you! Sharing our work with you is such a grand and grateful feeling. It’s because of your support that we can keep dreaming and creating. As much as we’re encouraged by you, we also want to cheer for your daily lives!
Kyung-ho I was a little worried my answers might bore you, but this was the first time I got to proudly share such detailed stories about the album. Thank you for loving our work! I hope your paths are filled with nothing but luck!