Inspired #177 - Dylan Dunlap
Dylan Dunlap talks us through the inspirations behind his music and his tastes track ‘Another Holiday’ - taken from his upcoming EP ‘Soldier On’ (Due out 5th February 2021).
Who are your top three musical inspirations?
I've only ever had two musical inspirations throughout my life: Coldplay and my father. For over 20 years, that band has consisted of the same 4 guys and I've always looked up to that kind of family-first mentality. As for my dad, he was easily the most talented guitar player I had ever seen, which inspired me to pick up instruments at a young age.
Is there a certain film that inspires you?
I'll never be able to pick just one, but Whiplash, Baby Driver, Tenet, and The Social Network all rely on a beautiful soundtrack/score. And they're extremely fast-paced, so maybe I just love films that cover a lot of ground. I could see any of those an infinite amount of times and still never get tired of them.
What city do you find the most inspiring?
It's like a light switch. The second I'm on tour, flying/driving into new cities, and picking random hotels & Airbnb's, I'm almost immediately inspired by my surroundings. I think it's because I grew up in Los Angeles. Although this city is a dream and truly what you make of it, I'd give anything to see the world more. Doesn't matter if it's London or middle-of-nowhere Alabama, there's just so much more out there and I can't wait to experience it.
Who is the most inspiring person to you?
My girlfriend. I really feel like Marisa sees me for who I am, mental health condition and all, and loves me even more for it. And while being the insanely hard-working woman that she is, she also helps me learn how to just exist. It's funny, neither of us have actually experienced 'boredom' in 2020, but we're learning that it's okay if it ever ends up happening!
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
I wrote Another Holiday with my producer towards the end of last year as the holidays crept up. Since a majority of my releases tend to maintain a positive outlook, Ben and I thought it'd be fun to create a piece of music that's just sad, angry, and confused. Sometimes that's the message that listeners need and I can only hope this song brings comfort to them this holiday season. It also serves as a reminder that I'm not the only one that hurts this time of year.
How would you like to inspire people?
I'd love to inspire a conversation. If someone feels a little bit more comfortable after listening to the songs to share a thought, an insecurity, a dream, or a fear with a friend, I'll know I did my job. There are people out there, including myself, that struggle on a daily basis and I'd love for them to feel like they can share that with the world instead of hiding parts of themselves.