November 26, 2024 • 20 mins
Join host Lynn Hoffman on this episode of the Music Saved Me Podcast with Glassnote recording artist Dylan Cartlidge. His story is one of hope and adversity, the title of his debut album and his music is an ode of embracing individuality and defying the odds associated with his turbulent upbringing. which included being raised in the care system. Dylan is a multi-instrumentalist, and his music incorporate elements of funk, soul and hip hop, along with elements of rock, soul and R&B. His new music is called "New Day", an uplifting song and Dylan surely knows the power of music.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Music Saved Me.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
The only way I can describe is that when I
walked up to the microphone, it literally felt as though
like I don't know I was there and I was
completely naked, and everybody was like, oh my god, this guy.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
You know, it was so like, it's so shut Lily nervin,
you know.
Speaker 4 (00:13):
I'm Lynn Hoffman and welcome to another inspiring episode of
the Music Save Me Podcast, where we explore it the
transformative power of music and its ability to heal, uplift
and connect us all. Now, if you like this podcast,
please share it with your friends and make sure you
follow us and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
And boy are you lucky. Today we are thrilled to
(00:35):
have with us the incredibly talented and dare I say
absolutely adorable Dylan Cartilage, a rising story in the music
world on Glass Note Records, whose unique sound and powerful
storytelling and the biggest smile you can hear it when
he sings, are making waves in the music industry. Hailing
(00:56):
from redcar which is a small town in the northeast
of England, Dylan's story is one of hope above adversity
for Sure, which is the title of his debut album
from twenty twenty one and his newest single, which is
so catchy. I dare you not to listen once and
you will never forget the song. It's called New Day,
a wonderful song of hope and redemption. Welcome Dylan cartlitche
(01:19):
to Music Save Me. It's so great to have you here.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Oh my god, I don't think I've ever had a
better introiler. Thank you so so much. I really appreciate that.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Well, You're welcome, and thank you for being here. Can
you start by telling our listeners about your early experiences
with music and how how it originally became a source
of healing for you growing up in Red Car one percent.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So you know, I guess you know, my musical kind
of journeys, you know, is impacted very much by my
life experience. You know, it kind of like goes hand
in hand. So I've first started out like rapping when
I was like, you know, thirteen fourteen, But it really
came from like I had a very very electric matic upbringing.
I was in and out of foster care. You know,
I had lots of things going on at home, you know,
(02:05):
and I was really faced with a decision. You know,
it's probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make,
which was kind of moving away from my town, my hometown,
everything that I've ever known at the age of you know,
fourteen fifteen and starting a brand new life with a
foster family, or you know, staying in everything that I
knew at the time, which was trauma, you know, addiction, struggle,
(02:25):
these kind of things. And although it was a really
really difficult decision, I made the decision to move away
and to really begin, yeah, I begin again and to
start again.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
And it was really really difficult.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
When I first came to Red Car it was it
was like it was almost it was beautiful but terrifying
at the same time, because it was sort of like, yeah,
just a totally clean slate, but there was lots of
people that I cared deally about that had to kind
of leave behind in a way or not be as
you know, locationally close to. And yeah, a lot of
healing to be done. And so that really was a
process of going from living in a kind of inter
(02:57):
city circumstance where you know, my school percentage was like
thirteen percent, to like living in a very rural coastal
area where I was the only black kid in a
school full of three hundred kids, and I went to
school ninety nine percent of the time and began this
musical journey. I started, you know, kind of burning CDs
at that time. I was writing albums, you know. I'll
go in between the lessons with a you know, a
piece of paper on like the break, you know, in
(03:19):
between the classes and be.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Like, hey, guys, I've written these lyrics. Can you read
these and get back to me?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
You know. And I was doing the school talent shows
and stuff like that. But yeah, that's really where where
it kind of began for me. Is really that transition
which is the biggest point in my life, you know
at that time, which was to kind of you know,
to start that process of healing and really begin to yeah,
begin my life really now.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
You you had mentioned you grew up in the foster
care system and then you were adopted by a family.
You said somewhere I think I saw on this beautiful
documentary piece that you wrote songs to speak to your
brothers because you couldn't do it verbally, so it was
easier for you to explain or express your feelings. Can
you talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
So the hardest thing about moving away is that, you know,
I had I have a younger brother. But at the
time when I moved away, my younger brother was eight
years old, and you know, to kind of paint a
picture for the listeners, it was kind of like, you know,
I was really struggling, and there was times where it
was me and you know, in a house with no electricity,
with a new born baby in my arms, you know,
trying to find a way through, you know, and no
(04:19):
matter how bad things have gotten on, regardless of what
I've been through, like when my brother was born, like
that was a ray of hope that was like, this
is something pure and innocent that needs to be protected,
and I can't allow what's happened to me so far
to happen to my brother, you know. And so I
took this real responsibility, this real sort of like you know,
I guess parental type of role or that was you know,
a kid myself. You know, it's like it'd been eight
(04:40):
years old to kind of make sure that that didn't
happen to my brother. And I did everything that I can.
But the biggest factor of moving away was to have
to leave my brother, you know, with an uncertain life himself,
because it was only myself that was able to move
away into this adoption and that was the most gut wrenching,
heartbreaking experience. But I really told myself that if I
could move away and make something better myself, that ultimately
(05:03):
being a role model for my brother and showing them
that we can escape the circumstances and you know and
kind of like make something better of our lives would
be a better thing than to sacrifice any opportunity I
might be given just to stay, you know, in the
same situation as my brother. So a big part of
my early songwriting was kind of making sense to that
and trying to, yeah, make songs really to speak to
my brother, to speak to family members of a children
(05:25):
like us, you know, other children that would face you know,
crazy adversity, trauma, addiction, and kids you don't hear from.
It was really to you know, to give a voice
to the voiceless.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
And lead by example as a big brother, which is
is very powerful too, but you're doing it with music
is just it's like an extra level of example, which
is pretty amazing. You've described your sound besides creating new
musical genres, which I don't even know if you understood
that you were doing at the time, but your described
(05:56):
sounds hope above adversity. What does hope above aversity mean
to you? And how does it reflect in your music?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
I think, you know, I think hope of adversity and
kind of like the style of music that I make
and the vibe that I hope to get across with
my songs. I really I'm a big believer in kind
of music encapsulating more than.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Just what's on in MP three.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Like I absolutely love whenever I work people at big people,
small people, whatever it is. You know, I might just
collaborate with somebody I just met the other day, Like,
you know, there was a t where I got a
cab one time and that I ended up working with
a cab driver and he was taking photos and whatever
it is, and You're like, it's genuinely like a I
am that guy, Like I will talk to anybody anytime
and they're like, let's try something.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
I'm game, man.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
I'm just like, I'm a very people person, and I
really see those moments as being like snapshots. So it
don't matter whether you're working in you know, Electric Lady
or I've we road with the biggest studos and real
smallert studies in your bedroom.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
It doesn't matter.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Like I always see U, you know, collaboration and also
just making music as like a time stamp, a little cap,
you know, a frozen piece of time and where that
person might be or where those people might be at
that time. Yeah, and I and I really get a
real cavarsitism from making music, and I've very much blend
that in so I try my best to think about,
you know, I guess the landscape at the time and
(07:05):
how I'm feeling in myself emotionally, but also in a
broader context of all the music that's come before me,
you know, soul artists, you know Rufa Franklin and Nina Simone,
as Fronk calld Is, like Stevie Wonder, you know, just
people who have laid the foundations for great musicians.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
And it's given us.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Such a rich variety of history to delve into, like
to be able to draw on that but also put
it in the context of like, you know, I guess
the way that you know Quentin Tarantino, Like I'm a
big movie buff, and I feel like the way in
which he talks about movies and talks about his influences
in the old La cinemas and how he wanted to
kind of do his own thing with that and kind
of like, you know, take what had gone before him,
(07:41):
but kind of spin it in new way. Like I love,
like I feel to do that in the context of
the musicians that have come before me, but with my
own story and my own kind of emotional kind of regulation.
But yeah, in the context of like how I feel
today in the world I live in.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
You know, well, you know you mentioned a few names.
They're pretty big names. Nina Simon, Stevie Wonder. I'm just
curious when you would have a moment maybe that you
weren't quite as happy or you were feeling down, what
music did you listen to to help you to get
out of that mood.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, I think definitely, I think that I think that
would be that vibe. I think definitely Kick Cuddy was
a massive artist for me. Like there, Nina Simon too,
like artists like that, even like you know, Louis Armstrong.
And what I would find is that, like, you know,
when I was feeling when I was not feeling great,
So everybody knows that when you're.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Not feeling so good.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I actually try my best to sort of like sit
with that feeling and embrace that and trying to learn
something from it. And I feel like, even like, you know,
there's been times throughout history or you know, with artists
where there's been, you know, horrific challenges that they've been facing,
Nina Simone being a you know, quintessential.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Kind of point in case there and just the way
in which way she.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Would encaptulate, you know, not not necessarily look away from
those feelings or you know, the hardship that she was
facing at the time, but actually would you know, express
it in a way that felt kind of timeless, you know,
and and and it almost gave a blueprint for people
to listen to and and to kind of take take
some solace in.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
You know, you are an old soul.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
And so when were you first introduced to some of
these amazing artists that came long before you.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
I kind of think it was, you know, very much
like in a mad way. My introduction was to music
was a bit of a strange one because I grew
up in a household that was very chaotic, and I
would just find like random, like I don't know, there
was a point in time where you know me, you know,
my biological mum were living in like a kind of
a rave house, like it was a state you know,
it's kind of a state house type thing, and there
was just like a house DJ and there's just tapes
(09:37):
of like random trance stuff and weird eighties and nineties
sort of you know, British pop bands like you know,
just lying around and I would just listen to this
stuff and you know, figure out. But I think I've
always been drawing to that stuff. I think the second
that I would you know, listen to you know, particular
radio station or you know, somebody would play. I always
remember one of the funniest things ever I ever to
remember is I remember going to my one of my
(09:58):
older brothers from my you know, adoptive family. I went
to one of his wedding and I never forget the
first time that I heard it's Tricky by run DMC.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
I must have.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
I must have been about six years old, right, and
I was I was allowed to go to the party
my brother, you know, it was his wedding, and so
one of my over brothers like, okay, we're gonna look
after you and you can stay till late. So I
like get in No Bedtime today and then that song
I just requested over and over again and was dancing
and dancing and dancing. So just anything that I've always
been drawn to that kind of stuff, you know where
it's people just playing it on you.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Have you heard this.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
I've always been drawn to that kind of old soul stuff,
you know, a lot of the northern soul stuff.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
A big Frankie Valley fan too.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Wow, fron DMC to Frankie Valley, that's amazing that that
truly is amazing you you really you know your stuff
and all just sup such uplifting stuff. Run DMC was
a huge band for me too, so I totally I
can hear that song right now.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
It's okay and then just that yes, that's d MC,
actually believe it or not. Between us.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
On a side note, I'm dear old friends with with
Darryl Darryl Mack and I bet it would just make
him so thrilled to note that he influenced you and
and you're coming up through the ranks. Can you share
a specific moment or an experience where music saved or
helped you through a difficult time.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
I definitely think I would say at the time when
you know, I did have to kind of you know
leave you know, kind of leave my hometown and really
kind of you know, leave everything behind. I would say
that for me, that's a you know, a big part
of you know, my kind of life. And I would
say that would definitely be one of the moments where
you know, it was sort of like there was so
much going on. I would say, you know, such hardship.
It's such such a young age, and I just really remember,
(11:48):
you know, listening to Kick Cuddie, who was an artist
like you know who I been into rap heavily as
you know, starting out as a rapper myself, and listen
to even like people like Common or Lupe Fiasco or
rappers that were maybe off the beaten track and kind
of did some kind of like more conscious hip hop.
But Kik Kuddy was the first rapper I heard that
kind of was like wrapping about depression or mental illness
(12:10):
or you know, all these types of things. And I
was the first time where it felt to me like,
you know, it was kind of safe to just like, oh,
you know, it isn't just jay Z that I'm looking
at or can you wess and these people who were
kind of like, you know, they are having a great time,
they're in the club, you know that you know, whatever
it might be, which is great and there's something to
aspire to. But then there's also this guy that has
all of that seemingly, but it's also you know, talking
about how low he is and and you know, and
(12:31):
how he's feeling and in you know, in some dark topics,
you know. And I think that that really for me
is when I felt really music touched me, like really
really touched me and really made me feel in those
moments that I wasn't just observing somebody having a great
time or observing an artist living the best life, but
I was actually getting an insight into who that artist
was as a person.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
It maybe really discover myself too.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
You know, how important is it to you to reach
people with your music?
Speaker 2 (12:59):
I think as much as I hope to. Obviously that's
something that's outside of my control, but I definitely would love,
like my wish, you know, for my music is, you know,
if I have any sort of bearing on that is
to be able to offer something that is kind of
musically a stude hopefully that you can listen to, you
can group to, you can dance to without you know,
(13:20):
or get something from without necessarily having to be a
music buff or like, you know, something like that, you
could just anybody could listen to it, you know, and
get something from it and be like, Yo, that's really cool.
But also if you have you know, something else going on,
or you're really going for a tough time, or you're
just not in a great place, that you can also
get something from it too, you know, but it's not
necessarily exclusive to that. So I hope would be to
offer something that, like I say, sort of stands up
(13:41):
in its own kind of musicality and has something interesting
to offer to music. I mean, as crazy grandiose as
that sounds like in whatever capacity, but also you know,
has something to offer the soul, you know, if you
need that.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
If you need that, well, how does it make you
feel when you witness someone who has experience into that
joy from your music.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
I think it's a really humbling experience For me. I
think that is more important than anything else. Like if
somebody just, oh my god, dil you know, this song
just did this many streams, Oh my god, look at
the analytics on this or this just did this, Like
that stuff is great or you know, if oh, he's
an award for this like whatever, that stuff is great.
But I really feel like the one message or the
one DM I get from people like, oh my god, listen,
(14:24):
I've just been going for a really a tough time
and I heard this song and I can't even like
begin to tell you how that's connected with me or
how it's made me feel, because I feel like I
can relate to that. I've been been in that dark place,
you know, and I've been yeah, and really that has
been my whole kind of mission with my music, and
what I'm doing is to be able to give back
what music has given me, you know.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
So that's how I respond to that.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
That's such a beautiful sentiment.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
And you're just you're just so uplifting in person, let
alone all of your music. What role does live performance
play in your musical journey and how does it differ
from the studio experience, you know, in terms of healing
and connection with your fans and and with people.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
You know what, This is a really interesting, interesting question
because I think as much as I can kind of like,
you know, philosophize about you know, the kind of inner
workings of my you know sort of you know ethical
or like moral dilemmas with my music or you know,
my artistic vision or you know whatever it might be,
the cafarts of making music or you know, releasing music.
Actually it's quite quite funny because when I actually began,
(15:28):
you know, doing a live show for the first time,
you know, just before my first album, and I actually
found that I was like terribly terribly, like like absolutely
nerve shatteringly terrified of being on stage, like so so
bad because not so not so much even performing, but
actually like I feel like almost like you know, putting
(15:48):
this in my music and putting that out there and
sort of you know, putting up on on a you know,
on a DSP or kind of you know, putting up
for people to listen to our streaming services or whatever.
It is like there's something safe about that, but you
don't have that same safety when you're in a crowd
of people, you know what I mean. Even now, you know,
talking talking to you here through the screen and being
able to you know, say that is one thing, but
you know, to be able to connect with people in
(16:08):
the room and do that is something that I didn't
even realize that I was. I was so I was
so so terribly scared of it. Actually felt like the
only way I could describe it is that when I
walked into the microphone, it literally felt as though like
I don't know, I was I was there and I
was completely naked, and everybody was like, oh my god,
this guy. You know, it was so like it's so
shatter literally nerving, you know, but I kind of but yeah,
I really began to kind of lean into that I
(16:30):
had a you know, it took me a little while
to get there, and it took me a while to
really feel like I could have a live show that
not only brought something to like the live scene offered something,
you know, unique experience for somebody who's coming down and
getting tickets, but also I feel comfortable really me as
a person, like sharing my experience as people on stage,
you know. And I think a part of that began
sort of like being less scripted and like oh.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
You know the song one and welcome people, you know.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
But actually just being me, pealing jokes, being stupid, like
just connecting with people and being myself.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
You know.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Yes, definitely I didn't really think about it, but yeah,
I mean, you're so intensive in the studio, working with
other artists or yourself, and then you hit this stage
and there's thousands of people in front of you. It
must be such a juxtaposition, I guess for someone like
you to do that for the first time, But now,
how are you feeling about it when you get on
(17:18):
stage in front of people?
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Definitely, I'm open with this second album, I can definitely
get to the to.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
The thousand stage.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Thousand stage not quite there yet, but I'm really excited
to get there. And I do feel as though, like, yeah,
it's something that I think now that I've done a
little bit of, and I think particularly with this, you know,
this next record and in this this new music, I
think that it's been a learning experience for me as
opposed to just kind of saying like, hey guys, you
can do this. Hey, you know, there's there's you know,
there's the grass is green, of things can be brighter,
(17:45):
you can get through these moments. But actually, now that
I'm sort of somewhat there or of you know, kind
of come from the circumstances that have come from that,
I'm here, like what do I do now, you know?
Speaker 3 (17:54):
And what does life look like today? Who am I today?
Speaker 2 (17:56):
In the context of, like, you know, running away from
my experiences building this new life. Essentially when the spotlight
is on, like, you know, what do I have to say?
Speaker 3 (18:06):
What do I have to offer?
Speaker 2 (18:08):
And I really think that, you know, that's something that
I've really become comfortable with and found a way to express.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
You certainly have the single the newest is called New Day,
and the first thing I thought of when I heard
the song. I had to listen to it like five
times because it was so cool. And my husband came
and I said, you.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
Got to hear this.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
It's so good. And you know that doesn't happen all
the time, just for real. You have to know that
that's just a very special thing. But to have that
ability and to do that is amazing, And I hope
that you have many many more years of continued success
with everything you're doing in your life. And you have
(18:48):
to call one of the big morning shows and tell
them they need to use this song New Day as
the opener to their morning shows because it's just the
happiest song I think I've ever heard in my life,
and I've heard a lot of music, because I'm all, I.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Don't believe that for one second, and early as old
as you feel, girl, and how much energy you putting
into this, I'm not buying that for a second.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
But thank you.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
But maybe we can.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Yeah, maybe this is something that's going to increase global,
global production.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Every morning show is going to be made mandatory.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
You have to listen to New Day with you getting
up to work a construction job at four am. You
can listen to this song and everybody's gonna feel a
little bit better.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
And the smile on your face I can hear it,
and I can hear it now, and if you're listening,
and if you want to know, he's got the biggest
smile and you don't even have to see his face
to hear it in his music.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Dylan, thank you so much for sharing.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
Your story and best wishes to you in the future,
and I really do hope you come back and share
more amazing success stories with us. For yourself and for
all of your fans who get to hear your wonderful music.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Thank you, Thank you so much, lind to you and
your listen it's been absolute pleasure and not only to
be a part of this, but also to be a fellow.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
Will DMC not to take it?
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Oh my gosh you we have to talk after this
because I have to introduce you.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Please.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
Yeah, he has to know you, if he doesn't already
by now. Thanks so much for coming on. Music saved me.
Music Saved Me.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
The only way I can describe is that when I
walked up to the microphone, it literally felt as though
like I don't know I was there and I was
completely naked, and everybody was like, oh my god, this guy.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
You know, it was so like, it's so shut Lily nervin,
you know.
Speaker 4 (00:13):
I'm Lynn Hoffman and welcome to another inspiring episode of
the Music Save Me Podcast, where we explore it the
transformative power of music and its ability to heal, uplift
and connect us all. Now, if you like this podcast,
please share it with your friends and make sure you
follow us and subscribe so you never miss an episode.
And boy are you lucky. Today we are thrilled to
(00:35):
have with us the incredibly talented and dare I say
absolutely adorable Dylan Cartilage, a rising story in the music
world on Glass Note Records, whose unique sound and powerful
storytelling and the biggest smile you can hear it when
he sings, are making waves in the music industry. Hailing
(00:56):
from redcar which is a small town in the northeast
of England, Dylan's story is one of hope above adversity
for Sure, which is the title of his debut album
from twenty twenty one and his newest single, which is
so catchy. I dare you not to listen once and
you will never forget the song. It's called New Day,
a wonderful song of hope and redemption. Welcome Dylan cartlitche
(01:19):
to Music Save Me. It's so great to have you here.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Oh my god, I don't think I've ever had a
better introiler. Thank you so so much. I really appreciate that.
Speaker 4 (01:27):
Well, You're welcome, and thank you for being here. Can
you start by telling our listeners about your early experiences
with music and how how it originally became a source
of healing for you growing up in Red Car one percent.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
So you know, I guess you know, my musical kind
of journeys, you know, is impacted very much by my
life experience. You know, it kind of like goes hand
in hand. So I've first started out like rapping when
I was like, you know, thirteen fourteen, But it really
came from like I had a very very electric matic upbringing.
I was in and out of foster care. You know,
I had lots of things going on at home, you know,
(02:05):
and I was really faced with a decision. You know,
it's probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make,
which was kind of moving away from my town, my hometown,
everything that I've ever known at the age of you know,
fourteen fifteen and starting a brand new life with a
foster family, or you know, staying in everything that I
knew at the time, which was trauma, you know, addiction, struggle,
(02:25):
these kind of things. And although it was a really
really difficult decision, I made the decision to move away
and to really begin, yeah, I begin again and to
start again.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
And it was really really difficult.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
When I first came to Red Car it was it
was like it was almost it was beautiful but terrifying
at the same time, because it was sort of like, yeah,
just a totally clean slate, but there was lots of
people that I cared deally about that had to kind
of leave behind in a way or not be as
you know, locationally close to. And yeah, a lot of
healing to be done. And so that really was a
process of going from living in a kind of inter
(02:57):
city circumstance where you know, my school percentage was like
thirteen percent, to like living in a very rural coastal
area where I was the only black kid in a
school full of three hundred kids, and I went to
school ninety nine percent of the time and began this
musical journey. I started, you know, kind of burning CDs
at that time. I was writing albums, you know. I'll
go in between the lessons with a you know, a
piece of paper on like the break, you know, in
(03:19):
between the classes and be.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Like, hey, guys, I've written these lyrics. Can you read
these and get back to me?
Speaker 2 (03:22):
You know. And I was doing the school talent shows
and stuff like that. But yeah, that's really where where
it kind of began for me. Is really that transition
which is the biggest point in my life, you know
at that time, which was to kind of you know,
to start that process of healing and really begin to yeah,
begin my life really now.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
You you had mentioned you grew up in the foster
care system and then you were adopted by a family.
You said somewhere I think I saw on this beautiful
documentary piece that you wrote songs to speak to your
brothers because you couldn't do it verbally, so it was
easier for you to explain or express your feelings. Can
you talk a little bit about that.
Speaker 3 (03:57):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
So the hardest thing about moving away is that, you know,
I had I have a younger brother. But at the
time when I moved away, my younger brother was eight
years old, and you know, to kind of paint a
picture for the listeners, it was kind of like, you know,
I was really struggling, and there was times where it
was me and you know, in a house with no electricity,
with a new born baby in my arms, you know,
trying to find a way through, you know, and no
(04:19):
matter how bad things have gotten on, regardless of what
I've been through, like when my brother was born, like
that was a ray of hope that was like, this
is something pure and innocent that needs to be protected,
and I can't allow what's happened to me so far
to happen to my brother, you know. And so I
took this real responsibility, this real sort of like you know,
I guess parental type of role or that was you know,
a kid myself. You know, it's like it'd been eight
(04:40):
years old to kind of make sure that that didn't
happen to my brother. And I did everything that I can.
But the biggest factor of moving away was to have
to leave my brother, you know, with an uncertain life himself,
because it was only myself that was able to move
away into this adoption and that was the most gut wrenching,
heartbreaking experience. But I really told myself that if I
could move away and make something better myself, that ultimately
(05:03):
being a role model for my brother and showing them
that we can escape the circumstances and you know and
kind of like make something better of our lives would
be a better thing than to sacrifice any opportunity I
might be given just to stay, you know, in the
same situation as my brother. So a big part of
my early songwriting was kind of making sense to that
and trying to, yeah, make songs really to speak to
my brother, to speak to family members of a children
(05:25):
like us, you know, other children that would face you know,
crazy adversity, trauma, addiction, and kids you don't hear from.
It was really to you know, to give a voice
to the voiceless.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
And lead by example as a big brother, which is
is very powerful too, but you're doing it with music
is just it's like an extra level of example, which
is pretty amazing. You've described your sound besides creating new
musical genres, which I don't even know if you understood
that you were doing at the time, but your described
(05:56):
sounds hope above adversity. What does hope above aversity mean
to you? And how does it reflect in your music?
Speaker 2 (06:04):
I think, you know, I think hope of adversity and
kind of like the style of music that I make
and the vibe that I hope to get across with
my songs. I really I'm a big believer in kind
of music encapsulating more than.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Just what's on in MP three.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Like I absolutely love whenever I work people at big people,
small people, whatever it is. You know, I might just
collaborate with somebody I just met the other day, Like,
you know, there was a t where I got a
cab one time and that I ended up working with
a cab driver and he was taking photos and whatever
it is, and You're like, it's genuinely like a I
am that guy, Like I will talk to anybody anytime
and they're like, let's try something.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
I'm game, man.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
I'm just like, I'm a very people person, and I
really see those moments as being like snapshots. So it
don't matter whether you're working in you know, Electric Lady
or I've we road with the biggest studos and real
smallert studies in your bedroom.
Speaker 3 (06:44):
It doesn't matter.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Like I always see U, you know, collaboration and also
just making music as like a time stamp, a little cap,
you know, a frozen piece of time and where that
person might be or where those people might be at
that time. Yeah, and I and I really get a
real cavarsitism from making music, and I've very much blend
that in so I try my best to think about,
you know, I guess the landscape at the time and
(07:05):
how I'm feeling in myself emotionally, but also in a
broader context of all the music that's come before me,
you know, soul artists, you know Rufa Franklin and Nina Simone,
as Fronk calld Is, like Stevie Wonder, you know, just
people who have laid the foundations for great musicians.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
And it's given us.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Such a rich variety of history to delve into, like
to be able to draw on that but also put
it in the context of like, you know, I guess
the way that you know Quentin Tarantino, Like I'm a
big movie buff, and I feel like the way in
which he talks about movies and talks about his influences
in the old La cinemas and how he wanted to
kind of do his own thing with that and kind
of like, you know, take what had gone before him,
(07:41):
but kind of spin it in new way. Like I love,
like I feel to do that in the context of
the musicians that have come before me, but with my
own story and my own kind of emotional kind of regulation.
But yeah, in the context of like how I feel
today in the world I live in.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
You know, well, you know you mentioned a few names.
They're pretty big names. Nina Simon, Stevie Wonder. I'm just
curious when you would have a moment maybe that you
weren't quite as happy or you were feeling down, what
music did you listen to to help you to get
out of that mood.
Speaker 2 (08:12):
Yeah, I think definitely, I think that I think that
would be that vibe. I think definitely Kick Cuddy was
a massive artist for me. Like there, Nina Simon too,
like artists like that, even like you know, Louis Armstrong.
And what I would find is that, like, you know,
when I was feeling when I was not feeling great,
So everybody knows that when you're.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Not feeling so good.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I actually try my best to sort of like sit
with that feeling and embrace that and trying to learn
something from it. And I feel like, even like, you know,
there's been times throughout history or you know, with artists
where there's been, you know, horrific challenges that they've been facing,
Nina Simone being a you know, quintessential.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Kind of point in case there and just the way
in which way she.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Would encaptulate, you know, not not necessarily look away from
those feelings or you know, the hardship that she was
facing at the time, but actually would you know, express
it in a way that felt kind of timeless, you know,
and and and it almost gave a blueprint for people
to listen to and and to kind of take take
some solace in.
Speaker 1 (09:02):
You know, you are an old soul.
Speaker 4 (09:07):
And so when were you first introduced to some of
these amazing artists that came long before you.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
I kind of think it was, you know, very much
like in a mad way. My introduction was to music
was a bit of a strange one because I grew
up in a household that was very chaotic, and I
would just find like random, like I don't know, there
was a point in time where you know me, you know,
my biological mum were living in like a kind of
a rave house, like it was a state you know,
it's kind of a state house type thing, and there
was just like a house DJ and there's just tapes
(09:37):
of like random trance stuff and weird eighties and nineties
sort of you know, British pop bands like you know,
just lying around and I would just listen to this
stuff and you know, figure out. But I think I've
always been drawing to that stuff. I think the second
that I would you know, listen to you know, particular
radio station or you know, somebody would play. I always
remember one of the funniest things ever I ever to
remember is I remember going to my one of my
(09:58):
older brothers from my you know, adoptive family. I went
to one of his wedding and I never forget the
first time that I heard it's Tricky by run DMC.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
I must have.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
I must have been about six years old, right, and
I was I was allowed to go to the party
my brother, you know, it was his wedding, and so
one of my over brothers like, okay, we're gonna look
after you and you can stay till late. So I
like get in No Bedtime today and then that song
I just requested over and over again and was dancing
and dancing and dancing. So just anything that I've always
been drawn to that kind of stuff, you know where
it's people just playing it on you.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Have you heard this.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
I've always been drawn to that kind of old soul stuff,
you know, a lot of the northern soul stuff.
Speaker 3 (10:30):
A big Frankie Valley fan too.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Wow, fron DMC to Frankie Valley, that's amazing that that
truly is amazing you you really you know your stuff
and all just sup such uplifting stuff. Run DMC was
a huge band for me too, so I totally I
can hear that song right now.
Speaker 1 (10:52):
It's okay and then just that yes, that's d MC,
actually believe it or not. Between us.
Speaker 4 (11:03):
On a side note, I'm dear old friends with with
Darryl Darryl Mack and I bet it would just make
him so thrilled to note that he influenced you and
and you're coming up through the ranks. Can you share
a specific moment or an experience where music saved or
helped you through a difficult time.
Speaker 2 (11:25):
I definitely think I would say at the time when
you know, I did have to kind of you know
leave you know, kind of leave my hometown and really
kind of you know, leave everything behind. I would say
that for me, that's a you know, a big part
of you know, my kind of life. And I would
say that would definitely be one of the moments where
you know, it was sort of like there was so
much going on. I would say, you know, such hardship.
It's such such a young age, and I just really remember,
(11:48):
you know, listening to Kick Cuddie, who was an artist
like you know who I been into rap heavily as
you know, starting out as a rapper myself, and listen
to even like people like Common or Lupe Fiasco or
rappers that were maybe off the beaten track and kind
of did some kind of like more conscious hip hop.
But Kik Kuddy was the first rapper I heard that
kind of was like wrapping about depression or mental illness
(12:10):
or you know, all these types of things. And I
was the first time where it felt to me like,
you know, it was kind of safe to just like, oh,
you know, it isn't just jay Z that I'm looking
at or can you wess and these people who were
kind of like, you know, they are having a great time,
they're in the club, you know that you know, whatever
it might be, which is great and there's something to
aspire to. But then there's also this guy that has
all of that seemingly, but it's also you know, talking
about how low he is and and you know, and
(12:31):
how he's feeling and in you know, in some dark topics,
you know. And I think that that really for me
is when I felt really music touched me, like really
really touched me and really made me feel in those
moments that I wasn't just observing somebody having a great
time or observing an artist living the best life, but
I was actually getting an insight into who that artist
was as a person.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
It maybe really discover myself too.
Speaker 4 (12:52):
You know, how important is it to you to reach
people with your music?
Speaker 2 (12:59):
I think as much as I hope to. Obviously that's
something that's outside of my control, but I definitely would love,
like my wish, you know, for my music is, you know,
if I have any sort of bearing on that is
to be able to offer something that is kind of
musically a stude hopefully that you can listen to, you
can group to, you can dance to without you know,
(13:20):
or get something from without necessarily having to be a
music buff or like, you know, something like that, you
could just anybody could listen to it, you know, and
get something from it and be like, Yo, that's really cool.
But also if you have you know, something else going on,
or you're really going for a tough time, or you're
just not in a great place, that you can also
get something from it too, you know, but it's not
necessarily exclusive to that. So I hope would be to
offer something that, like I say, sort of stands up
(13:41):
in its own kind of musicality and has something interesting
to offer to music. I mean, as crazy grandiose as
that sounds like in whatever capacity, but also you know,
has something to offer the soul, you know, if you
need that.
Speaker 4 (13:53):
If you need that, well, how does it make you
feel when you witness someone who has experience into that
joy from your music.
Speaker 2 (14:03):
I think it's a really humbling experience For me. I
think that is more important than anything else. Like if
somebody just, oh my god, dil you know, this song
just did this many streams, Oh my god, look at
the analytics on this or this just did this, Like
that stuff is great or you know, if oh, he's
an award for this like whatever, that stuff is great.
But I really feel like the one message or the
one DM I get from people like, oh my god, listen,
(14:24):
I've just been going for a really a tough time
and I heard this song and I can't even like
begin to tell you how that's connected with me or
how it's made me feel, because I feel like I
can relate to that. I've been been in that dark place,
you know, and I've been yeah, and really that has
been my whole kind of mission with my music, and
what I'm doing is to be able to give back
what music has given me, you know.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
So that's how I respond to that.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
That's such a beautiful sentiment.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
And you're just you're just so uplifting in person, let
alone all of your music. What role does live performance
play in your musical journey and how does it differ
from the studio experience, you know, in terms of healing
and connection with your fans and and with people.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
You know what, This is a really interesting, interesting question
because I think as much as I can kind of like,
you know, philosophize about you know, the kind of inner
workings of my you know sort of you know ethical
or like moral dilemmas with my music or you know,
my artistic vision or you know whatever it might be,
the cafarts of making music or you know, releasing music.
Actually it's quite quite funny because when I actually began,
(15:28):
you know, doing a live show for the first time,
you know, just before my first album, and I actually
found that I was like terribly terribly, like like absolutely
nerve shatteringly terrified of being on stage, like so so
bad because not so not so much even performing, but
actually like I feel like almost like you know, putting
(15:48):
this in my music and putting that out there and
sort of you know, putting up on on a you know,
on a DSP or kind of you know, putting up
for people to listen to our streaming services or whatever.
It is like there's something safe about that, but you
don't have that same safety when you're in a crowd
of people, you know what I mean. Even now, you know,
talking talking to you here through the screen and being
able to you know, say that is one thing, but
you know, to be able to connect with people in
(16:08):
the room and do that is something that I didn't
even realize that I was. I was so I was
so so terribly scared of it. Actually felt like the
only way I could describe it is that when I
walked into the microphone, it literally felt as though like
I don't know, I was I was there and I
was completely naked, and everybody was like, oh my god,
this guy. You know, it was so like it's so
shatter literally nerving, you know, but I kind of but yeah,
I really began to kind of lean into that I
(16:30):
had a you know, it took me a little while
to get there, and it took me a while to
really feel like I could have a live show that
not only brought something to like the live scene offered something,
you know, unique experience for somebody who's coming down and
getting tickets, but also I feel comfortable really me as
a person, like sharing my experience as people on stage,
you know. And I think a part of that began
sort of like being less scripted and like oh.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
You know the song one and welcome people, you know.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
But actually just being me, pealing jokes, being stupid, like
just connecting with people and being myself.
Speaker 3 (16:56):
You know.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Yes, definitely I didn't really think about it, but yeah,
I mean, you're so intensive in the studio, working with
other artists or yourself, and then you hit this stage
and there's thousands of people in front of you. It
must be such a juxtaposition, I guess for someone like
you to do that for the first time, But now,
how are you feeling about it when you get on
(17:18):
stage in front of people?
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Definitely, I'm open with this second album, I can definitely
get to the to.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
The thousand stage.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Thousand stage not quite there yet, but I'm really excited
to get there. And I do feel as though, like, yeah,
it's something that I think now that I've done a
little bit of, and I think particularly with this, you know,
this next record and in this this new music, I
think that it's been a learning experience for me as
opposed to just kind of saying like, hey guys, you
can do this. Hey, you know, there's there's you know,
there's the grass is green, of things can be brighter,
(17:45):
you can get through these moments. But actually, now that
I'm sort of somewhat there or of you know, kind
of come from the circumstances that have come from that,
I'm here, like what do I do now, you know?
Speaker 3 (17:54):
And what does life look like today? Who am I today?
Speaker 2 (17:56):
In the context of, like, you know, running away from
my experiences building this new life. Essentially when the spotlight
is on, like, you know, what do I have to say?
Speaker 3 (18:06):
What do I have to offer?
Speaker 2 (18:08):
And I really think that, you know, that's something that
I've really become comfortable with and found a way to express.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
You certainly have the single the newest is called New Day,
and the first thing I thought of when I heard
the song. I had to listen to it like five
times because it was so cool. And my husband came
and I said, you.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
Got to hear this.
Speaker 4 (18:28):
It's so good. And you know that doesn't happen all
the time, just for real. You have to know that
that's just a very special thing. But to have that
ability and to do that is amazing, And I hope
that you have many many more years of continued success
with everything you're doing in your life. And you have
(18:48):
to call one of the big morning shows and tell
them they need to use this song New Day as
the opener to their morning shows because it's just the
happiest song I think I've ever heard in my life,
and I've heard a lot of music, because I'm all, I.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
Don't believe that for one second, and early as old
as you feel, girl, and how much energy you putting
into this, I'm not buying that for a second.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
But thank you.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
But maybe we can.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Yeah, maybe this is something that's going to increase global,
global production.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
Every morning show is going to be made mandatory.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
You have to listen to New Day with you getting
up to work a construction job at four am. You
can listen to this song and everybody's gonna feel a
little bit better.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
And the smile on your face I can hear it,
and I can hear it now, and if you're listening,
and if you want to know, he's got the biggest
smile and you don't even have to see his face
to hear it in his music.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Dylan, thank you so much for sharing.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
Your story and best wishes to you in the future,
and I really do hope you come back and share
more amazing success stories with us. For yourself and for
all of your fans who get to hear your wonderful music.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Thank you, Thank you so much, lind to you and
your listen it's been absolute pleasure and not only to
be a part of this, but also to be a fellow.
Speaker 3 (19:57):
Will DMC not to take it?
Speaker 4 (19:58):
Oh my gosh you we have to talk after this
because I have to introduce you.
Speaker 3 (20:03):
Please.
Speaker 4 (20:03):
Yeah, he has to know you, if he doesn't already
by now. Thanks so much for coming on. Music saved me.
Host
Lynn Hoffman
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