Andie Dushime is an ambitious Belgian artist who is performing at the 2024 Dour Festival. Cement Magazine spoke with her to understand what’s behind her captivating tracks.
Dushime makes healing music
As a fairly new artist, Brussels-based Andie Dushime has been rising fast, under the stage name Dushime, since her 2021 “Common Point” single. Now with a 2024 EP, Home is Motive,” she’s performing at Dour Festival for the first time. This comes after a 2023 Botanique debut, and Belgian tour dates. To perfect her stage presence, she participated in a residency at VOLTA – a space that’s no stranger to experimental sounds.
For Dushime, singing comes second nature – she’s been doing it since the age of 11. Building on this, she did a preparatory year of jazz after high school. She then went to study theater and art history. While this is a departure from music, it carries into Dushime. The project is a solo endeavor, but incorporates other musicians when playing live.
While representation as a black artist is important to Dushime, especially in the Belgian music scene – she’s more focused on the universal spirit her music represents. To her, it’s important to invite inclusivity through kindness. The tracks are meant to empower and serve as an all-embracing language for everyone to enjoy. Dushime’s voice is healing, above all.
With Rwandan roots, it’s easy to feel this influence coming through her music. That said, the tracks have a global feeling. Dushime’s inspirations include Frank Ocean, James Blake, Twigs, Nina Simone, Theolonius Monk, Björk, Tracy Chapman, The Soil, D’Angelo, and Erykah Badu. The end result is and electro vibe with a jazz sensibility. There’s unexpected twists and turns throughout Dushime’s songs.
Represented by Noannaos, the collective supports cross-genre artists like Dushime. After performing at Dour, there’s a natural progression available for her music. Her warm spirit and unique approach will shine through. “I like to dream big . You have to be a little naive, otherwise you play it too safe…but I also want to keep one foot on the ground. And not put too much pressure on myself.” – De Morgen
