Dylan Chambers – For Your Listening Pleasure!

By starrymag | May 22, 2024

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Your sound has been described as “futuristic pop,” but how would you describe your sound?

A) That’s interesting. Does that mean robots will enjoy it eventually? I don’t really know how to define it. It’s definitely rooted in pop, soul and funk so I guess I would just say that. I’ve heard people call it “soul pop,” “retro soul,” “nu-funk” – “awesome.” Let’s just go with “awesome.”

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) I have a million, but I will forever be a student of Prince, James Brown, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Paul McCartney, Chuck Berry, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Maurice White, Don Henley, Huey Lewis and Jimi Hendrix.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “High (When I’m Low).”

A) The message of “High” is one of hope and perspective. I’ve learned that everything negative in life can be looked at in a positive light if you allow it. Life never stops coming at you with its challenges, so instead of letting it knock you around all the time, learn to ride the waves like a surfer and have fun with it. To sum it up, this song is really just that, making the best with what you’ve got and having a good time doing it.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I feel like people are connecting to the playful groove of the music and the overall message of the song. To me, it’s very relatable. If you really pay attention to the lyrics, we’re touching on some deeper issues that a lot of us face. Topics such as mental health, depression, loneliness, imposter syndrome, etc.

Q) LunchMoney Lewis and Dave Koz are also featured on the song. How did you connect with these artists to work with them?

A) I’ve actually known Dave since 2015. We met when I was playing in the house band of a restaurant that he was the co-owner of in Beverly Hills. He’s become a good friend and has taken me around the world multiple times as a guest artist on his music cruise. He also married my wife Patti and I last April. I would consider him family at this point.

All that to say, when I finished the first iteration of the song, I e-mailed him and asked if he would contribute a sax solo. In my mind, it just called for one and who better to do it than the man, the myth, the legend Dave Koz?! Luckily, he reacted very positively to the song and happily agreed.

I was connected to LunchMoney Lewis through my childhood friend Greg Hein (aka Aldae), who has become quite a successful songwriter these days. We wrote the first draft of “High” together with my good buddy/collaborative partner on all things DC, Stefan Litrownink. After sitting on it for a bit, Greg called me with the thought that it would be awesome to have LunchMoney Lewis on the track. I agreed but thought he was just saying that as a hypothetical. I had no idea that he had met and worked with Lunch at this point. When he told me he was gonna send it to him, I was all for it. I’ve been a big fan of Lunch ever since he dropped the Bills – EP back in 2016. Months later, I got a text from Greg out of the blue with a version of “High” that had Lunch’s verse on it. I listened to it over and over again just to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. It was a big full circle moment for me for lots of reasons. Lunch has since become a buddy and was such a joy to work with on the track as well as on set for the video. He radiates love and because of that, everyone gravitates towards him.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) Me playing a janitor in a nursing home symbolizes the time in my life when I had a day job and felt a bit depressed about it. It was the only way I knew how to support myself back then, but I felt like I was wasting time being there because it had nothing to do with music. Occasionally after work I’d come back to my apartment, light up a joint and dream. One of these nights, I sort of “woke up” and realized that the “high” I get from performing and expressing myself is worth chasing, even if money may be hard to come by at first. I knew I needed to devote all my time to it if I wanted to make a living and that wasn’t gonna happen at a 9 to 5.

While getting clearer about what I wanted to do with music, I realized I wanted to send out a message of love through it and uplift people who needed it. That’s why me and the director, Justin Frick, felt it would be fun to act out this thought during a boring Bingo night at a nursing home. (Those people definitely need uplifting in that environment.) I also liked the idea because it bridged the gap between two different generations, which I felt was important to display. I’ve always connected with people who are much older than me and I never shy away from conversations with them. I’m fascinated with their history. We usually find common ground with music because I love and am inspired by the artists that most of them grew up listening to.

Animation played a big part in the video as well. I wanted to incorporate it to shed light on how important I feel it is to keep your imagination alive throughout your life. I’m a bit “Peter Pan-ish” in that way.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

A) I wouldn’t say I have a strict process or anything. I just let whatever happens happen. Sometimes a song will start with a guitar lick. Other times it starts with a random melody I find myself singing on a walk. I don’t necessarily need music before writing lyrics. However, I find that if I have the music first, it has a way of conjuring words out a bit easier.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) I would say I have a pretty decent amount. I’m extremely hands on with the vocal production and guitar aspects. Stefan Litrownik runs the board and is the overall wizard when it comes to the down and dirty production though. We sit there together and spitball things back and forth while building the track. It’s a fun process and I feel like we make a great team.

Q) Your debut EP For Your Listening Pleasure! drops in May. What are some themes you’ll be exploring?

A) A few themes are self-worth, self-expression, determination, righteous rage, mental health, fun, love and superstition.

Q) Could you give your fans a little sneak peek into some of your personal favorite songs from the EP?

A) It’s tough to pick because I love them all equally for different reasons. “High (When I’m Low)” has been a favorite of mine since it was written during the pandemic. It’s so fun to play live and seems to be a crowd pleaser. “You Gotta Respect Yourself!” is special to me too because it’s about the value of positive self-worth. I wrote it with the intention of blasting that message out to people. I’ve also found that when I sing it live, it serves as a good reminder to myself too. “Comin’ Up” is another one I’m very proud of. In it, I confront some demons from the past and make a vow to myself that I will never let anyone get in the way of the life I want to live anymore. It feels powerful to listen back and hear myself saying these things.

Q) What do you hope lingers with listeners of your music?

A) Overall, I hope these songs act as a place for people to go back to who are in need of joy, relatability, something to dance to, etc. I also hope that the appreciation of the classic music that inspired this project sticks with people. I very much love and respect a lot of artists from before my time and my goal was for that to shine through. If people of a younger generation feel compelled to dig deeper into soul and funk music after hearing this record, I feel like I did my job. If people who grew up during those times are re-inspired to put on some classic music from their youth after hearing my project, that would make my heart happy as well.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

A) The Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles has been a sort of homebase for me since my early 20s. I’ve lived within walking distance of it for about ten years and have played there countless times. I was invited to sit in with my friend’s band there a few nights ago and on my walk over, I was trying to guess how many times I’ve taken that stroll from my place to that stage. I couldn’t even tell you but it’s a lot.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Allen Stone would be cool. I feel like we’re cut from the same cloth in terms of style and musical influences. I had the pleasure of meeting him on set for a live music series we were both shooting up in Washington recently. I was very humbled to learn that he was familiar with me and had been enjoying my music as well. We connected and have been chatting a bit so maybe this’ll happen! Fingers crossed.

Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

A) I’m really digging this song “Ain’t No Use” by Cory Henry, Raphael Saadiq and Charlie Bereal right now. I believe it’s off of Cory’s recently released record. It’s got a great groove, great melodic changes, a powerful message and is very soulful. It’s clearly rooted in gospel as well, which is very cleansing to my spirit.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you for dedicating time out of your busy lives to listen to my songs. Music is a gigantic part of my life. It’s been a dream of mine for many years to write, record and release my own songs for people to enjoy. My intention was to put out a message of positivity and self-discovery and it means a lot to see that it is starting to resonate with others. I’m trying to do good in that way. I’m excited to see where we can go with this thing together.