He was accepted for the prestigious Red Bull Music Academy in 2004, held that year in Rome. While there he managed to score a lesson with the legendary funk drummer Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie, who was lecturing that year. Three members of Opensouls were successful in getting accepted for the Red Bull Music Academy, a feat unmatched by nearly every other NZ band – apart from Electric Wire Hustle.

Dyne stretched his legs with a solo EP Phantom Limbo in 2007, following that up with his debut album Pins and Digits in 2009. Guests on the album include Mara TK (Electric Wire Hustle) and Parks (Ladi6).

Japanese label Wonderful Noise picked up Pins and Digits, and UK label BBE got on board after UK resident Russian DJ Vadim played them some of Dyne’s music. The album made Gilles Peterson’s Top 100 for 2009.

Several international tours followed on the back of the BBE release, to Japan, Europe, and the UK. Dyne also started touring as part of Ladi6’s live line-up in New Zealand and overseas. He released his second album Glimpse in 2012, again thru BBE.

Julien is also an accomplished visual artist, having attended Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland.

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