A Quick Chat with Noah Dillon
Congratulations on the release of the new EP “Soft”, a tellingly-eclectic blend of fuzzed-out guitars, steely bass-lines, layered harmonies and glistening neon-tinged synth. Tell us a bit about it and what was the inspiration behind it.
Thank you! It feels so good to have it out. The EP was written at the end of last year and feels like a time capsule of that period in my life. Sonically I wanted to make something that balanced a lot of light and dark and that could be translated into a big, fun, emotional live set. As always, the songs were very much inspired by life in that period and moving through the end of a relationship. I was listening to lots of Fontaines D.C., Bristol Maroney and Julia Jacklin - I wanted to create a body of work that reflected the story telling of the folk music I love with the energy and heaviness of the alternative/ indie rock sound we lean towards.
You mention there is an overarching theme woven throughout “Soft” where you are unpacking what strength, and identity has meant to you. Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind each song and what you learnt from it.
Yeah! I never really plan a body of work with an over-arching theme, I prefer to write from a place where I can let the current emotions flows through the writing. When reflecting on this body of work I realised that in all of my emotional processing at this period, I consistently referenced softness. I think I grew up around an idea of masculinity that was based on this idea of ‘strength’ and that to be a man meant to be strong. This is often attributed in masculinity to be things such as avoiding big emotions, a rejection of open communication, solution through conflict, a hardened ego that defends the inevitability of mistakes and fallibility. Moving through life I now see the strength of softness, it’s weak to build a wall around you so tight you don’t let love in, it’s weak to let your ego win and to bow down to jealousy, it’s weak to not sit in the uncomfortability of someone else’s point of view, someone’s reality. More I grow into my identity as an adult I see that the strongest thing to do is to allow sadness into your life. To love openly and to remain as in touch with your humanity as possible.
Tell us a bit about the creative process in the studio and how you created “Soft”.
I wrote all the tracks and demo them by myself. I then take those demos to the band and flesh out different parts and get input about how ideas could change. We then recorded it with the amazing Andy Lawson in Debasser studios in Perth. Andy is such an amazing creative collaborator, and our relationship is so tight. It feels like I have a thought, and I look over and Andy’s already started working on that idea.
You have just wrapped up your most extensive headline international tour “Let It Out’, covering sold out shows in Australia, Europe and UK and announced the “Soft” national tour kicking off in October which will see you and the band touring Adelaide, Hobart, Brisbane, Melbourne. What can fans expect at these live shows?
They can expect a big fun cathartic experience that hopefully makes people walk away feeling heard and not so alone in this big world. We are really pushing the live set to be as expressive as possible, lots of running around, lots of big energy, lots of soft, vulnerable moments. I feel nervous about playing some songs because they feel so honest to me, I think I’ve now realised that when I feel like that it’s usually when we are on the right track to create an authentic space that people can connect to! COME TO A SHOW !
You have shared the stage with some incredible bands including George Ezra, Vance Joy, Stella Donnelly, San Cisco, Holy Holy and Teenage Dads and appeared at Music Matters in Singapore, Splendour in the Grass and BIGSOUND. Tell us how these experiences have influenced your performance style.
We have been so fortunate to share the stage with such amazing acts. Every time we play with a band of that calibre, I learn so much. I mainly love watching the unique ways that artists connect with their audience. It’s so special to have people that love coming to your bands shows and I think each band develops an intimate way to connect with the audience in front of them. I’m forever inspired by the way people go about fostering the energy of a room and have taken many lessons about openness and connection whilst being on stage.
What’s coming up for Noah Dillon this year?
We are going to try and tour as much as possible, work on a whole bunch of new music and really push our creativity. I’m so excited to see which way it will lead us and can’t wait to keep sharing the journey:)
NEW EP “SOFT” OUT NOW
TRACKLIST
It Takes Courage To Be Soft
He's A Lad
I Still Adore You
Let It Out
I Wanna Be The One
Our Love Is More Than A Vessel
LIVE SHOW DATES
Thursday 5 September – BIGSOUND, The Outpost (8:15pm - 8:45pm) – Brisbane, QLD
Thursday 17 October - SXSW Sydney - NSW
Friday 18 October - Jive, Adelaide, SA
Saturday 19 October - Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
Thursday 24 October - Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, QLD
Friday 25 October - The Night Cat, Melbourne, VIC
Saturday 26 October - The Lansdowne, Sydney, NSW
Friday 22 November - Mojos, Fremantle, WA
For all touring details https://noahdillonmusic.com/
Follow Noah Dillon HERE
