Singer-Songwriter Dylan Dunlap Shares “Same Side” From ‘Stranger In My Head’ EP (Out February 4)
October 1, 2021 BY Nettwerk
As if converting lead into gold, Los Angeles-based singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Dunlap alchemizes his struggles into cinematic and catchy upbeat pop rooted in a will to face hardship head-on with a smile. Dylan delivers his story in plainspoken lyrics much like you’d receive in a direct message. On his forthcoming EP, Stranger In My Head (out February 4 via Nettwerk Records), Dylan shares every facet of his emotional, physical, and spiritual journey.
As a kid, Dylan immediately gravitated towards music. He went from playing the piano to learning Pro Tools and cooking up instrumental compositions. Dylan dipped out of Berklee College of Music to busk around his native Burbank, CA. Developing a singular style, he drew on inspirations as diverse as Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, and Finding Nemo. Between sharing the stage with OneRepublic at the sold-out Stadium of Fire event in Provo, UT, he packed shows throughout the United States and the UK. Following the release of two EPs – Things I Can’t Explain and Soldier On – Dylan has made significant strides claiming 40 million-plus combined Spotify streams. At the same time, he’s tirelessly championed positive mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness recognized him with its “Fighting Stigma Rising Star” award. At the same time, he’s collaborated with various organizations such as Global Citizen, Autism Rocks, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and more. Evolving with each step, Dylan only continued to record at a prolific pace.
To bring Stranger In My Head to life, he took a different approach vocally and lyrically.
“With my upbringing in Los Angeles, I felt the need to stand out by doing all of these crazy vocal runs, belting, and playing gigs every single night,” he explains. “When the Pandemic hit, I realized it was destroying my voice. I moved into an introspective place. I didn’t have anybody to prove anything to, so I physically sat down and recorded soft vocals on every single song in a chair. I just spoke my way through the vocals and let the lyricism and music do the talking. That was my first huge shift. In the past, I was obsessed with writing the most poetic and clever pop lyrics possible. This time, I changed gears and thought, ‘What I would actually send in a text message?’”
Following previously released singles – “Seratonin” and “Get More Rest” – Dylan shares “Same Side.” Harmonies coast over a glitchy beat as he admits, “You’re just looking out for me. It’s literally about telling my team I know they have my best interest in mind, but I’m a stubborn brat,” he laughs. “I know they’re right, yet I don’t want to listen.”
“Same Side” is available at all digital retailers, click here: https://dylandunlap.ffm.to/sameside.
Track List:
1. Serotonin
2. Same Side
3. Talk to You
4. Get More Rest
5. Savior Self
6. Stupid Me