What is your name?
Dylyn, short for Gwendolyn.
What is your genre of music?
Genres are so blurred these days. If I had to pick I’d say alternative/pop.
Give us a little bio about you. What made you go in to music?
Born in Toronto and raised in the suburbs. Oldest, and it’s just my brother and I. Grew up with a very eclectic taste of movies, music, and style. Watching Star Trek, Uncle Buck, and Ferris Buellers Day Off is quite bizarre for a 90’s baby. Thought Led Zeppelin was the answer to life and spent most of my Canadian years at hockey rinks playing or rooting for my brother. Decided at 17 that I wanted to pursue music as a future after dropping out of University. Touring is probably my favourite thing to do – I feel most myself on stage.
Are you a signed?
Yes, to a Canadian label called Home, an extension of Nettwerk
You released your new single ‘WOLF’ , tell us more about it. What was the writing process like? What was the recording process like?
It’s a post breakup song and how sometimes you reach a point where you just don’t care. You turn into a self-sabotaging nightmare who doesn’t care about other people’s feelings. It can get a little crazy — you can get crazy! I pull from very real, raw places when I write otherwise I would find it so hard to connect to the song and mean it when recording it. I try to keep the recording very relaxed. I recorded most of the record in a rented home in LA. We set up a recording studio in one of the bedrooms/closets and I sang in my kimono. Felt like something Fleetwood Mac would do. I wanted to feel at home.
Who did you show first?
I need to play it in the car while driving first. It always gives me a sense of how it feels. After that, I usually show my best friend, mom, and manager. I get the vibe factor (best friend), fan factor (mom), and brutal factor (of course the manager). It keeps a balance.
You are also set to release your DEBUT EP in Feb , what can you tell us about it so far? What was the writing process like?
As I mentioned I like to capture moments, events, and emotions. The past few years have been pretty tough: bad relationships, family break up, heartbreak, loss. It hasn’t been an easy road but it’s been the perfect path to music. I always find it easier to write a song when you’re sad – sadness is a great emotion to pull from. Music is therapeutic. It lets me refine what I’m feeling without having to pay hourly. I’ve grown so much since writing the record. It’s nice to hear these songs because I knew exactly where I was, and what I was going through at the time, almost highlights of my life – the soundtrack to my life.
What is the release date and where can it be bought or pre-ordered?
Late February – 23rd I believe. It will definitely be on iTunes. Not sure if we’re doing physical copies.
Describe your EP in 3 words.
Raw. Heartbreaking. Rebirth
Do you have any gigs or tours coming up? If so where will you be going?
I’m sooo excited — I love the road! Germany in May.
Do you play any instruments?
Guitar, but I wouldn’t call myself a session player. There’s always room for improvement.
Who are your influences?
Led Zeppelin always. Debbie Harry, The Cure, and a little early MGMT.
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Usually from raw emotions, moments, and personal experiences. For instance, I’ll take pain from a break-up, capture a specific moment, obsess, refine and try to expand on it.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
I’ve made a conscious effort not to put so much pressure on myself. It can be crippling at times. I just want to be doing what I love, surrounded by the people I love.
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I love antiques, old houses, and art. Absolutely love French antiques – I’d probably go into some form of interior design.
If you could collaborate with any artist/band who would it be and why?
Frank Ocean, he seems like such an interesting person and I admire his records. Don’t think he has any form of social media though. Carrier pigeon?
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
Sounds cliché but – Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. I cried the first time I heard that song.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Be yourself. It seems like such a simple concept, we hear it all the time but it isn’t until we discover it do we get it.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Appreciate the grind, the journey, and the process. We become masters of our craft at 10,000 hours for a reason. Keep going, and be your true self.
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Stars can’t shine without darkness.
Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
I live fairly far out from the city, I love being surrounded by space and nature. There isn’t much of a go-to spot aside from my living room. I have an incredible record collection and my walls are covered with rock and roll memorabilia.
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Halls, water, headphones, Redbull and snus
What is your go to place in Canada?
Currently it’s an unreal ramen spot called Kinton.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Everything is
