Dylan Joshua – Leave You in the Ends

By starrymag | October 9, 2023

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I think my sound is always changing, but to generalize it I’d say it’s usually something in the late night hip-hop/R&B category.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I always looked up to great writers. Nas, Pac, Drake, Neyo, The Dream, Phil Collins, Jermaine Dupri, etc. I always listened to a lot of genres of music so the one thing I always gravitated towards was someone putting their soul on the record, so that’s always my main goal.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “TWOMANYTIMES.”

 

A) It’s pretty much just the situation of having your girl or whoever just over-crowding you. Especially when you’re an artist or even just have the personality that you like your space and your time alone to just chill, a lot of people don’t understand that or they take it personally.

 

Q) We’ve all been in similar situations where we need our space. Is that what you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think it’s just a vibe. When I was listening to it one day, it was hitting in all the right places and with music that’s really the most important thing.

 

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

 

A) Again, just a vibe. I didn’t wanna get too in-depth on this track. For me it’s just a feeling. It’s a song I like driving too so we definitely brought out the whips and went with that. I kept it simple and sometimes that’s a hard thing to do – especially for me.

 

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

 

A) Changes every time. But for the most part we have production sessions, where we produce the music. Then I usually go on my own and write and record myself. When i’m writing it’s like a puzzle. I’m tryna match the flow with the feeling the feeling with the words and the words to the flow – all while staying authentic. In reality though it just comes out.

 

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

 

A) I’m definitely very hands on. Sometimes I get a beat and it’s perfect the way it is. But most times I’m either cooking it up with my team or doing the production myself. I do all my own recording and reference mixes and while you’re there you end up doing any postproduction anyways. So, yeah, very hands on.

 

Q) Your new EP Leave You in the Ends is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) This EP deals with a lot of built-up resentment. It’s songs I made while I was in a very confused time. I didn’t wanna be in my city but was too broke to leave and too miserable so I isolated myself. I don’t know about themes necessarily, just because with an EP I see it as more of a mood, or collection of songs made for you to vibe to while driving late night, dealing with relationships, or break ups or frustrations.

 

Q) Which track on the EP holds a special significance for you and why is it so close to your heart?

 

A) For me that’s “Stuck.” I think it explains that situation exactly how I felt. Felt like I got a lot off my chest with that one.

 

Q) Is there a song that maybe challenged you the most creatively?

 

A) On this project I’m actually gonna say no. These tracks really just flowed out of me, didn’t over think it. I have a massive collection of experimental music, and but there’s a time and place. And, again, with this EP I felt like it was more geared toward curating a vibe, late night drives, dealing with emotions, dealing with relationships. Creatively it all felt very natural for these tracks.

 

Q) What song(s) off your EP are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) “In my Head” is definitely one I’m looking forward to doing live just because it has that energy. I also think it’s got some bars that’s perfect for the crowd to sing along with.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP Leave You in the Endsas a whole? 

 

A) I just want listeners to enjoy it. I just want to be a part of the playlists you out on when you’re searching for a connection to real life. It would be an accomplishment to me if someone had only one song on repeat for an entire drive, just because it captures their mood like no other song does. I want people to live their lives to it, make it their life soundtrack for this fall.

 

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

 

A) For me, it would actually be Ludwig Göransson. I would love to work with his production, bring in some of his cinematic capabilities into a record as well. I think it would push me as an artist.

 

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

 

A) Right now I’m listening to Yeat remixes on 2000s type beats.

 

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

 

A) Appreciate literally every single listen and you’ll be seeing a lot more of me soon.