A new single release from Neither Would Dylan brings out a crisp and semi loose garage pop rock blend that features significant ambient undertones along with some youthful energy and a hint of honesty lurking just beneath the surface.
"To Be Loved" touches on a little bit of late 90s pop punk but keeps true to that pure and genuine garage rock tonality. The song is definitely danceable and absolutely fun and the whole time you kind of get the feeling that this would be awesome to see live performed right in your face.
Now, one of the coolest things about this song is how it almost feels like a surf rock tune. The drums are awesome and roll out this old school approach to drumming that also touches on that surf rock vibe. The only thing is that it mixes those vibes with that garage rock style when it bursts into those sections.
And those are the things that make songs like this as fun as they are. These are the things that make songs like this so enjoyable and so addictive at times. It's that experimental factor. It's that aspect of creating music with less boundaries than others. If you ask me, I will definitely tell you that the less boundaries you have when you're creating art, no matter what kind of art that is, the better that art will become.
Neither Would Dylan is an absolutely shining example of just that. A sort of freedom in songwriting thus giving the song itself this awesome little looseness. The kind of attribute that makes you want to turn the song up loud.
Needless to say, this was really great single. It gets you moving, it gets your blood pumping, it feels good to listen to, and yes, you want to turn it loud.
With the release of such a killer single we wanted to have a chat with neither would Dylan to find out where this track came from and what may be coming up next.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Let's kick things off with "To Be Loved". This track has a great youthful indie fuzz rock style to it! Where did this single come from?
Thanks! I wrote “To Be Loved” after hearing Death Cab for Cutie’s “Here To Forever” earlier this year. It got me thinking about how so many of my favourite artists are always writing about love and relationships and it occurred to me that I didn’t wholly understand those feelings and I started to question whether I’d ever really felt it. “To Be Loved” is the result of those questions I had for myself and they came out in a way that I found myself looking for some sort of guidance or knowledge from people who have had it. It’s really me asking, “hey, what’s that like?” and “Will I ever get that?” because it’s one thing to love someone or something but it’s another entirely to feel it returned.
Buzz Slayers: When did this all start for you?
It’s hard to say because I started writing songs and music when I was very young but really this entire process that eventually led to Neither Could Dylan and my upcoming debut album didn’t begin to formulate until 2020, but it took until summer of this year to figure out where I wanted to take it and how.
Buzz Slayers: What inspires you to write a song?
I’m not someone that ever really shuts off so I’m always thinking about something, so sometimes inspiration comes completely out of thin air or they can come as a result of hearing or seeing something. I’d say it’s more often my own experience that I’m inspired to write about but I’m also often driven to write about someone else’s story that has moved me in some way. It really just depends on the day.
Buzz Slayers: This song has some great styles! Can you give us some of your top musical influences?
Well, I’ve already mentioned DCfC but also Jimmy Eat World, Elliott Smith, Treble Charger, Bob Dylan, The Tragically Hip… I’m influenced by a ton of others but these artists I find I return to the most often.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
These days I feel like this is all I do so I’ve been making a conscious effort to pull myself away from it! I do a lot of general writing, stories and poems. I recently got a Nintendo Switch so I’ve been a little addicted to playing Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, too. I also watch a lot of movies and documentaries and I’m back in the gym training to run my first marathon next year.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
Death Cab’s latest “Asphalt Meadows” has been a weekly constant, and I’m really into Neil Young’s “World Record”. I’m doing a listen through of REM’s entire discography from the beginning; it’s going well.
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
I’ve been doing some livestream shows but nothing set for in-person right now. I’ve actually been performing solo all year and in the next couple weeks I’m getting together with some other musicians to bring the full-band experience to life and hopefully it won’t be long after that before we land some gigs.
Buzz Slayers: This track feels like a big undertaking, is there any advice you'd give to other up and coming bands out there?
When I first started to write and play music again, I was keenly aware of the potential wrath of the internet and new listeners and was worried that by not releasing professional-studio-made recordings I would be seen as less-than the other artists who are putting stuff out there. But I’ve learned that this is a very long process especially when you’re doing everything yourself as a solo musician and it’s important to take everything in stride. If I waited until I was able to put together a polished studio recording to release anything, I probably still wouldn’t have a single track out for people to listen to and I’m really proud of everything I’ve done so far, so my advice is not to worry too much about what other people might say or what seems the “right” way to go about your own music … just do what feels right for you and everything eventually starts to slowly fall into place.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
The full album “Acceptance” will be out in 2023. It was a solo effort that really allowed me to be the most vulnerable I’ve ever been as a person and tackle some of the questions and feelings that I’d never really given myself the opportunity to as well as get myself out of my comfort zone with experimenting with new instruments and sounds. I think it serves as a good introduction to who I am and I hope it resonates with people. Otherwise, it’s full steam ahead on trying to get shows together so we can get out and play for ya in person; I’m really eager to visit some new cities.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
I’m always surprised and excited when someone finds something they like or can take away from it because for a long time I really wasn’t sure that would ever be possible; Thanks very much for giving me and the music a chance to spend some time with you.