A darling melody and musical love note to the younger self.

2022 was a big a year of dreamy lyricism and escapade through tender ballads for singer songwriter Dylan Atlantis. Ending the year on an ecstatic hit, the 23-year-old just released their music video for “Look at the Stars” directed and edited by Jessie Campos and Rejjie, featuring a garage style flair and early 2000s slow pop music stark. I reached out to Dylan a little over a month ago to talk all things about this new wave of bedroom alternative pop music and their journey to recognition in the art scene. Dylan speaks to me over zoom from their song making sanctuary - a cosy well lit room with posters of Frank Ocean and Tyler the Creators “Flower Boy” album on beige painted walls, they exhibit their song recording instruments, 3 guitars stacked next to the other, and a mic to sing into. Over the next 45 mins Dylan talks me through a musical odyssey, artists who inspire and an intimate glimpse into their song making process.

From song to song, Dylan and their father shared a special bond over R&B and rock music before his passing that led to a sonic discovery for the artist. Traces of this musical texture are also found in some of Dylan’s music now. Reminiscing over joyous memories of listening to songs together, music became a faithful practise and an inward vessel for Dylan to connect with and honour their father. “Every memory I have of him is music related, I always had music in my life, and I will always use it to remember him but in this way, it also turned into my own passion. My music is who I am”, Dylan says narrating some of their first exposures to music.

Along with their father, at the pinnacle of artists that inspire Dylan’s song making, Frank Ocean rates top of their list followed by Syd from the alternative R&B band “The Internet”, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley, and R&B artist Pharrell Williams. Dylan points out a few things to me like Frank Ocean’s delicateness in poetic song writing and his humble journey to stardom in the music industry that is awe inspiring. I watch Dylan’s face lit up as we chat more about their favourite artist, “He is my Jesus, I think he built his career in the best way possible. He began as a song writer for Beyonce and Kanye and now he himself is up there with them”. They tell me Chanel Orange is an all-time favourite album and we discuss our mutual admiration for Blonde and its sonic engineering perfection while Dylan sentimentally sings the first few lines of Godspeed.

Musician Syd the Kyd also appears as a truly comforting artist with her soft and amicable charm, affirming that “no matter who you are or what you identify as, whatever you do, you just have to do it well. Syd was the artist who made me believe – you can f****** do it”, Dylan says.

Their latest music video “Look at The Stars” was shot within a 24-hour day period and it is a visual invitation into sweetness and warm reveries. Dylan and friends are seen slow moving and grooving in a garage like setting against warm yellow hues. “When I first finished the song, all I could visualise for the video was a slow motion mosh pit vibe. Jessie and Rejjie expanded on this idea and turned it into the whole video”. After watching a performance video by singer Pharrell at a music festival, the inspiration to write “Look at The Stars” struck through for Dylan. “I love how soft his voice sounded against the heavy guitars and I wanted to create something like that. So, I grabbed my guitar and started humming a melody and that’s how “Look at The Stars” started”. Dylan directs my gaze to the musical sanctuary in the corner of their room from where they make music and says, “I made this song right from here, I literally just sat here and started free styling”. A song to console with its gentleness and honeyed tones, “Look at The Stars” is dedicated to the moments “when things can get really hard, and you feel like giving up. Just look at the stars and everything will be okay. You just gotta keep going and keep it pushing”, Dylan says.

“The response for Look at the Stars has been so nice, and I appreciate all the love it’s gotten, I released the song in September and people are still coming up to me saying thank you for the song”, Dylan muses.

Peaking musical interests at the ripe age of 7, Dylan says they weren’t a very a good singer until high school. From years of practising and the tough ritual of trial and error in their musical journey, song making soon became a second familiar nature. “I was so scared of putting out my music in fear of it being s*** and it always held me back, but you just have to take that first step”. In conversation about advice to young new musicians Dylan says, “I know it’s scary, but the internet makes the world so much smaller than it appears to be, just put your stuff out there even if you’re not sure. When I started putting music out, I didn’t know anybody but now I have full community of musicians around me and friends in the industry. It all starts with just beginning”.

To end our interview, I asked Dylan why people should listen to their songs as an up-and-coming musician in the creative scene. Dylan expresses sincerity in their intention to recognise sentiments of human tenderness and sufferings that are often concealed. Through their unique gesture of song making Dylan attempts to lead melodies with heavy narratives to soft and soothing spaces. “People should listen to me because I make music from my heart. When I was 16, I wish I had a comforting artist like me. Whenever I make music, I always try to move with the intention of honouring my inner child because I truly believe your inner child is what you are in your heart. So, if you are ever feeling down, depressed or need some motivation just put on some Dylan Atlantis”.

Dylan has an upcoming EP releasing in late March titled “VIOLET”.

***Dylan Atlantis Photographed by Sim Kaur***

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Look At The Stars with Dylan Atlantis