Canadian Alt-Rocker DYLYN Talks Creative Realms, Solo Careers and Releasing Explosive Single “Hurt”

DYLYN (aka Gwendolyn Lewis) is a Canadian Alt-Rocker who’s always felt a higher calling within her music and bonding to the “creative realm.” She returns with the single, “Hurt,” that was produced and co-written by Mother Mother frontman Ryan Guldemon. “Hurt” is full of pop melodies and industrial-inflected heavy rock, and acts as the lead single from her forthcoming 2022 album that is nothing less of vulnerability from the heart. 

It started with a concept of, "who hurt you babe,” and turned into a process of healing the darker times in DYLYN’s life that made her come out more beautiful than ever. 

One day before a photoshoot, her manager said, “Why don’t you just wear a band shirt?” That’s all you wear anyways.” Taking his advice literally, she started wearing her influences on her sleeve and incorporating it in her music. Her unique style interlaced with pure rock n’roll energy and stunning vocals leaves listeners wanting a deeper connection to her imaginative storytelling.

DYLYN describes the single as having a badge of honor through the life experiences she faced through tales of heartbreak and agony. Coming out as resilient as ever, DYLYN said that no one comes out unscathed from the scars faced from past pains and that’s what makes us beautiful. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: Can you give our readers a general background statement?

[DYLYN]: I've always been drawn to performance and the creative realm. I gravitated towards performing and singing at a very young age, I believe my first performance was at four years old. Fast forward to starting a band and then us sadly breaking up, a solo career began. I have shifted my sound over the years and believe this is the closest I've been to the truth - especially on this record. Everything in between has been through experience, expression, and constantly being humbled by the craft. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: What inspired you to pursue singing/songwriting?

[DYLYN]: I've always connected to storytelling, I like to draw from raw and honest events. It is a beautiful form of expression to encapsulate in 2 to 3 minutes. A great song teleports you to your own life or sparks a memory -- after all, it is always for the listener. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: How would you describe your music? Do you have any specific emotions you want to evoke through your music or have any inspirations for how you want the music to sound?

[DYLYN]: It is a mixture of some of my favorite rock eras; 60s, 70s, 90s, and new. I've intentionally added a lot of heavy guitars and married some softer elements like strings and mellotrons. I'd say my sound is quite raw, vulnerable, jagged yet intimate.

[UNPUBLISHED]: Who did you listen to while growing up and how did it affect your music?

[DYLYN]: I grew up listening to the Beach Boys for the first five years of my life. Mostly rock eras leaning toward 1960-1979: Zeppelin, Sabbath, Pink Floyd, to name a few. It influenced my storytelling, sonic taste and has come full circle - I see some of these elements sprinkled into my music today. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: I read that you used to have on-stage dancers and eventually hired a solo live drummer instead so you could have more freedom on the stage. What was that transition like?

[DYLYN]: It has all taught me about the different types of performances an artist can evoke. I've gone through many sounds and artist shifts, it is great to find the right fit finally. I play with a full band (guitars, bass, drums) and I play rhythm guitar on a few tunes. This feels the most honest and natural, an amazing energy exchange on stage -- we are all connected. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: What inspired you to write “Hurt?”

[DYLYN]: It started with a concept, "who hurt you babe.” Everyone has been through trauma or darker periods in their life. What gives us those scars? How do we get out of those holes we fall into? I believe I've grown the most during the hardest times in my life, not the good times. It is a reminder to push through, to know it is okay to be a little broken or damaged, these are the things that make us more powerful, they are beautiful. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: How was the creative process different for “Hurt” compared to your other songs on your 2018 debut album Sauvignon and a Kimono? Does the process differ with each song? Do you just sit and write the moment you think of a lyric or go into a studio? Do you have a method for how the song comes together or is it slightly different each time?

[DYLYN]: The making of these songs was a completely different process. I was much more involved with the sonics and the vision. Every production move, drum hit, plug-in decision, it all felt much more connected. The writing process was over a year; I truly submerged my soul into it. The ride has been such an incredible learning process, continuously pushing the boundaries vocally and picking away on every single word to get closer to the truth. I am so grateful and humbled by music, excited to do it all over again. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: What do you want your listeners to take away from “Hurt?”

[DYLYN]: I hope it takes them to a place that applies to their life and pulls some emotion or spark a memory. Songs are created for the listener.

[UNPUBLISHED]: What was your experience with filming the music video for “Hurt?”

[DYLYN]: I shoot all my videos with my brother James. It is fun to bring him my creative vision and watch him translate that into his perspective. We let the camera roll and let the emotions reveal themselves, not planning too much in terms of performance. The intention was about capturing raw and jagged honesty. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: “Hurt” is the first single from your upcoming album, is there any significance as to why this is the first song?

[DYLYN]: This song felt like a great continuation from my last song, "Make It Naked." A bit more evolved, a bit darker, and a bit harder -- a good banger to start the album. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: If you could describe “Hurt” in three words, which would you use?

[DYLYN]: Raw. Jagged. Vulnerable. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: “Hurt” was produced and co-written by Mother Mother frontman, Ryan Guldemond, how was it like collaborating with him?

[DYLYN]: I've worked on songs with Ryan in the past. It has always been great chemistry, we often push to the late hours of the night just to get closer to the magic. His work ethic and perseverance have made me a better artist. It is always an honor to get into a room with him; he is the real deal. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: What’s your wildest dream as an artist, if you could have one thing happen to you like a collaboration or a milestone you want to achieve in your career?

[DYLYN]: I'd love to collaborate with Frank Ocean or Mark Ronson, they are incredible artists. I want to continue doing this; the dream is to do an album, tour, repeat. It is a gift to do what you love every day. 

[UNPUBLISHED]: Lastly, do you have advice for new musicians breaking into the industry or that are just starting their careers?

[DYLYN]: Keep digging, keep grinding, keep going. You'll celebrate the highs, you'll cry the lows, but if you're doing what you love. KEEP. GOING. 

DYLYN has found herself through the freedom of rock n’ roll. The songstress binds together overwhelming and unavoidable emotions from intense glimmers of romantic experiences on “Hurt.” Turn the single up to the highest volume and let the wind hit your hair and scream at the top of your lungs, “WHO HURT YOU BABE? / WASN’T ME, BABE / PAIN IS THE WAY TO GET OUT.”

Watch the music video for “Hurt” here. Stream “Hurt” on Spotify and follow DYLYN on Instagram for more music releases and updates.