Meet...DYLAN

"Red is all about me going into the world for the first time and dealing with emotions."

Photo courtesy of Andy Wells

The Suffolk based artist DYLAN, formerly known as Natasha Woods, hasn't been on the music scene for that long, but the past couple of months she has cemented her name for everyone to hear.

Since her first EP 'Purple' which came out last October, DYLAN has gained worldwide attention.

From being recognised Best New Pop through Radio 1 to her biggest hit 'Sour Milk' featuring on Winter Love Island 2020, as she admitted: "I had no idea. It was the ONE NIGHT I didn't watch it live."

As I listened to her latest EP 'RED', I could tell by her distinctive vocals and emotions coming out of the project, that DYLAN has one hell of a journey ahead of her and we can't wait.

Firstly, how enjoyable was the virtual Radio 1 Big Weekend Festival for you?

It was amazing to be a part of such a huge event. Part of me is gutted that I didn’t get to go up to Dundee to experience it for real but at the same time it was mental. I never would have thought I would have gotten to play Big Weekend, so it’s definitely a life highlight for me. PLUS being on all the local radio stations!!! I am never going to get used to hearing my music on the radio.

How are you finding lockdown, and have you been finding it much harder to produce music?

Lockdown is alright; I’m working very hard doing a lot of remote sessions, writing a lot. I haven’t been finding it harder to write, I just think the lack of inspiration means that it's taking slightly longer to find a concept. It’s been good for me though, having time to really develop my sound and concentrate on making the music I love.

How excited are you for people to hear your latest EP 'Red' and what is the meaning behind the whole project?

I am ecstatic and terrified at the same time. It’s been my life for the last 8 months and it means a lot to me. So hopefully people react well. 'Red' is all about me going into the world for the first time and dealing with emotions for the first time. The way people treat and feel for each other.

'Bad Bitches Beat Heartbreak' was one of your first singles and came out last year, since then did you see yourself in the position you are in now?

It’s happened pretty quickly hasn’t it haha. Don’t get me wrong BBBHB is my baby it’s what started everything for me, I didn’t think it would take me this far already no, but there’s a long way to go still.

Was your dream always to be a singer, or did you have a different sight into life?

Always. The backup plan was to be a helicopter pilot, but my eyesight is crap so there really was no plan B. It’s the only thing I’m half-decent at. I had my confidence knocked quite a lot so the OG plan was to be a songwriter, however, I’m very glad I was pushed to sing, otherwise, I wouldn’t be nearly as confident as I am now.

Your biggest song 'Sour Milk' featured on Love Island Winter 2020, when did you find out that it was going to appear on Love Island and what was your first reaction?

I had no idea. It was the ONE NIGHT I didn’t it watch live. I was down the pub with a mate and suddenly my phone started blowing up, everyone was trying to ring me. My phone crashed because of all the incoming calls; my first assumption was that someone had died lol. Was meant to be a ‘let's just go for one beer’ but shortly turned into a celebration after that.

As you grew up, who did you aspire to be and what inspires you to sing and write?

I aspired to either be Angus Young or Slash as a kid which are weird choices, but I was obsessed with rock n roll baby. Now all of my inspiration to write comes from life. Me making very questionable decisions, relationships, friends, and just going out and living. I'm not very good at writing about things that haven’t happened to me.

Your latest hit 'Good Enough' has become a fan favourite, what is the true meaning behind this pop tune?

I wrote Good Enough after another ‘relationship’ (wouldn't call it that I just don't know another word for it) crashed and burned. I was convinced there was something wrong with me, but I wrote it all down and it started making far more sense. I needed to empower myself at that point so good enough came out after a bottle of wine and a cry on the piano.

Before lockdown, you had huge plans from supporting JC Stewart to performing at a range of summer festivals, how gutted are you and what plans do you have for 2021?

Eh, everything is meant to be I’m not gutted. Everything will come together at some point. As for 2021, I guess we will have to wait and see.

Her latest EP 'Red' is now available on Spotify and why not give Dylan a follow on Instagram.