Interview: Dylan Reynolds Talks Songwriting, Most Dope, and New Releases
B.jpg "Interview: Dylan Reynolds Talks Songwriting, Most Dope, and New Releases") |
| photo by Lindsey Mak |
Dylan Reynolds entered the online music space this year when he released a video featuring himself and childhood friend, Mac Miller, debuting one of Reynolds tracks, “Happy Birthday.” Undeniably talented, when Reynolds went to release his follow up single, “Tightrope,” Complex jumped at the premier. We had the chance to talk with Dylan about what’s been going on his world. Check it out below.
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You’re career is just
starting to kick off. Are you still based in Pittsburgh?
starting to kick off. Are you still based in Pittsburgh?
Honestly right now I’m just travelling between New York,
Pittsburgh, and LA constantly. I’m not really settled anywhere at this point,
but my family is in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh, and LA constantly. I’m not really settled anywhere at this point,
but my family is in Pittsburgh.
The last time I was
actually in NYC I was walking thru the Lower East Side your video had just come
out and I recognized you. You seemed pretty damned surprised!
actually in NYC I was walking thru the Lower East Side your video had just come
out and I recognized you. You seemed pretty damned surprised!
No way, that was you! That was on 2nd avenue I
think. That’s so crazy. I was definitely surprised.
think. That’s so crazy. I was definitely surprised.
Are you recording a
lot in New York City?
Right now I’m actually recording at Mac’s place in Studio
City in LA. That’s where I’m doing most of my recording for my next album.
City in LA. That’s where I’m doing most of my recording for my next album.
You released the song
“Tightrope,” and followed up with video for “Happy Birthday,” how did those
come to fruition?
“Tightrope,” and followed up with video for “Happy Birthday,” how did those
come to fruition?
Well we did the live video with Mac where I played “Happy
Birthday,” but decided to release the recorded version of “Tightrope,” before
the actual release of the video. Most people heard “Happy Birthday,” because of
the video though.
Birthday,” but decided to release the recorded version of “Tightrope,” before
the actual release of the video. Most people heard “Happy Birthday,” because of
the video though.
Are those tracks
going to be on any upcoming project?
Those will be on the EP that will be released once I put out
this new single in a couple of weeks. What I’m recording now in LA is for my
full-length album, I’m not sure if those would show up on the full-length.
We’ll see.
this new single in a couple of weeks. What I’m recording now in LA is for my
full-length album, I’m not sure if those would show up on the full-length.
We’ll see.
Is the EP going to be
free and are you looking at a date to release it?
free and are you looking at a date to release it?
Yeah the EP will definitely be free but we don’t have a
release date just yet. We’re really just excited to put out this single first
that will come out within the next month or so. We’re taking our time and
trying to be as patient as possible.
release date just yet. We’re really just excited to put out this single first
that will come out within the next month or so. We’re taking our time and
trying to be as patient as possible.
It’s definitely
important to put together the best project you can and not rush it. Your style
of music is refreshing compared to a lot of what’s coming out right now, what
did you grow up listening to?
important to put together the best project you can and not rush it. Your style
of music is refreshing compared to a lot of what’s coming out right now, what
did you grow up listening to?
First off, thank you for that! I grew up listening to a lot
of classic songwriters like Neil Young and Bob Dylan and my mom is really into
Jackson Brown and James Taylor. I’m really into classic songwriters and bands
like The Who and The Clash. The classics (laughs)
of classic songwriters like Neil Young and Bob Dylan and my mom is really into
Jackson Brown and James Taylor. I’m really into classic songwriters and bands
like The Who and The Clash. The classics (laughs)
The music business is
always changing and a lot of people aren’t sure what direction it’s going to
head in. Sales are down, tours are longer. Are you excited to get into the industry at such a crazy
time?
always changing and a lot of people aren’t sure what direction it’s going to
head in. Sales are down, tours are longer. Are you excited to get into the industry at such a crazy
time?
The point that I’m at now is very up in the air. We don’t
know if there is going to be a full tour, it all depends on the project. I’m
definitely excited. There isn’t a tour booked but we’re recording everyday.
know if there is going to be a full tour, it all depends on the project. I’m
definitely excited. There isn’t a tour booked but we’re recording everyday.
The video that you
and Mac Miller released of your live performance of “Happy Birthday,” was a
large step out into the world. You guys have been friends since childhood, how
does that relationship work now that you’re recording music together?
and Mac Miller released of your live performance of “Happy Birthday,” was a
large step out into the world. You guys have been friends since childhood, how
does that relationship work now that you’re recording music together?
We have two completely different styles of making music. It
always depends on what we’re working on. If we’re focusing on one of his tracks
I’ll most likely write a hook separately or play guitar on it. When we’re
actually in the studio together, since we have two different styles, we kind of
keep out of each others creative process.
always depends on what we’re working on. If we’re focusing on one of his tracks
I’ll most likely write a hook separately or play guitar on it. When we’re
actually in the studio together, since we have two different styles, we kind of
keep out of each others creative process.
Do you think that
your EP will drop by 2013?
your EP will drop by 2013?
The EP will definitely be out this year. We just don’t have
a date and it depends on this single.
a date and it depends on this single.
 |
| photo by Lindsey Mak |
The last two pieces
of music you released did well, but they came out of leftfield. Not a lot of
people knew who you were before. What were you doing before “Tightrope,” was
released?
of music you released did well, but they came out of leftfield. Not a lot of
people knew who you were before. What were you doing before “Tightrope,” was
released?
I started playing drums when I was really young. I picked up
a guitar when I was 17 and I started going thru a bootcamp type regiment. I
didn’t even start writing songs until a couple years ago when I was 19.
“Tightrope,” was recorded because I had a deadline and needed to go in the
studio the next day. I needed to write one more song for the session and I
wrote it the night before the session I had for the EP.
a guitar when I was 17 and I started going thru a bootcamp type regiment. I
didn’t even start writing songs until a couple years ago when I was 19.
“Tightrope,” was recorded because I had a deadline and needed to go in the
studio the next day. I needed to write one more song for the session and I
wrote it the night before the session I had for the EP.
What comes first when
you write music, do you write down lyrics or a hook or pick up the guitar?
you write music, do you write down lyrics or a hook or pick up the guitar?
I think the best songs I’ve written generally come from
acapella melodies and based on that melody I come up with syllabyls and then
the lyrics and try to make sense of everything. It all comes from melodies and
the guitar comes in later.
acapella melodies and based on that melody I come up with syllabyls and then
the lyrics and try to make sense of everything. It all comes from melodies and
the guitar comes in later.
Looking at some of
your favorites like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, that process of rising to fame is
pretty much dead & gone. Where do you see yourself in 5 years or where
would you like to be?
your favorites like Bob Dylan and Neil Young, that process of rising to fame is
pretty much dead & gone. Where do you see yourself in 5 years or where
would you like to be?
I want to be able to do music everyday. Play shows wherever
I want and see people who come out to enjoy the music. That’s really all I
want.
I want and see people who come out to enjoy the music. That’s really all I
want.
You’re close with Mac
and Most Dope and your style is is vastly different. What would your fans be
surprised to see on your iPod?
and Most Dope and your style is is vastly different. What would your fans be
surprised to see on your iPod?
That’s a good question. I actually listen to Mac’s music a
lot. I listen to a lot of hip hop.
lot. I listen to a lot of hip hop.
Does that play into
your songwriting now?
your songwriting now?
It does. When
Mac came out with Blue Slide Park and the songs, “Missed Calls,” and “Clarity,”
I started being influenced by particular sounds in his music and melodic statements.
He’s influenced me heavily in the past year or so.
Mac came out with Blue Slide Park and the songs, “Missed Calls,” and “Clarity,”
I started being influenced by particular sounds in his music and melodic statements.
He’s influenced me heavily in the past year or so.
How do you think live
performances will play into your career? Are you focusing on that at all?
performances will play into your career? Are you focusing on that at all?
I just put together a band, we’re just not sure when we’ll
tour. We did a show in Pittsburgh and a lot of people came out for it. I think
live shows are great and will be a huge piece of the plan. We’ve played songs
live before recording just to work thru them.
tour. We did a show in Pittsburgh and a lot of people came out for it. I think
live shows are great and will be a huge piece of the plan. We’ve played songs
live before recording just to work thru them.
What’s the next
release that fans can look forward to seeing from Dylan Reynolds?
release that fans can look forward to seeing from Dylan Reynolds?
We just finished shooting the video for the single called,
“Looking Up.” I’m really excited to release that so I want my fans to be
excited too.
“Looking Up.” I’m really excited to release that so I want my fans to be
excited too.
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