WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS - SPECIAL THANKS MYBLAQBOOK
Toronto-based artist, songwriter, and producer Dylan Sinclair chats with F Word to discuss his latest album, FOR THE BOY IN ME. The conversation was as honest and open as the album itself. This 12-track record draws inspiration from Sinclair's Filipino heritage and nostalgic memories of singing karaoke, whilst showcasing an exploration of vulnerability where he fully embraces and lets his emotions shine. The result? A deeply resonant body of work that invites listeners to connect on a personal level.
Read on to uncover insights into FOR THE BOY IN ME, Sinclair’s reaction to receiving a JUNO award, the pure joy he finds in creating music for its own sake, his passion for performing, and much more.
Maisie Daniels: Hey Dylan, welcome to F Word! Thank you for talking with me today.
Dylan Sinclair: Of course.
MD: What can you tell me about the music scene in Toronto?
DS: The music scene is great. There’s a lot of artists — everyone kind of does their own thing. There’s a large community and once you find your pocket of people… my last album was all Toronto producers… there’s a lot of talent out here.
MD: Your new album, FOR THE BOY IN ME, has been out for about a month now. What has the response been like so far?
DS: It’s been good. People have been connecting with it. I’ve heard a lot of good things, so…
MD: I can tell by the smile on your face it’s been good! How long has the album been in development?
DS: The oldest song is probably two years.
MD: How does it feel to finally have it out in the world?
DS: Good. It’s been honestly a process of figuring out what I want it to feel like, what I want it to be about. But two years later, it’s definitely just fulfilling as well as relieving to finally have it out there and for the people to connect with it. In all the ways that I curated it — the fans tend to pick out whatever I want them to.
MD: The title FOR THE BOY IN ME sounds like it’s a gift to yourself… almost like a piece of history?
DS: Yes.
MD: How has your personal history shaped this album?
DS: In every way possible. I try to give as much of myself as I can in my projects. And from start to finish, I definitely put it all out there and I dug as deep as I could to get there.
MD: You have Guyanese and Filipino roots. How important is it for you to delve into your roots through your music?
DS: It’s very important. There’s only one way to go when creating this music, and that’s just within. With that comes delving into the nostalgia of what music means to me. So, growing up Filipino, we did a lot of karaoke — there was a lot of music around from when I was young, and I feel like, even down to the way I write my songs, I’m very mindful of that karaoke experience; singing along and having a bridge and things like that.
MD: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
DS: It depends! Okay, if it’s a duet, it’s My Boo by Alicia Keys and Usher. Or there’s Yo (Excuse Me Miss) by Chris Brown, and So Sick by Ne-Yo.
MD: When did you discover your beautiful voice? Can you remember a specific moment in time?
DS: Probably when I was getting picked for solos in the choir at like four years old.
MD: Woah.
DS: It’s pretty young! And then my parents just inspired and encouraged me to keep singing.
MD: Do your parents come from a musical/creative background?
MD: I love that! I have the most unmusical family [laughs]. And so have they always been supportive of your career?DS: Mmm, yes. They were musicians in the church, so it’s a little bit different than being a full-time recording artist. I think I’ve made it make sense for them over the years, but at first, they were definitely skeptical in terms of how that becomes a career.
MD: Yeah, that’s a classic parental worry!
Both: [Laughs]
MD: The record explores a lot — having a supportive partner, the challenges of maintaining love, and the personal growth that comes with it. But can you describe it to me in your own words?
DS: I can try [laughs]. It’s just a rollercoaster of feelings that I went through. It’s embracing all of the emotions that come and go. Whether it’s embracing love or longing for somebody, these are all things that we all feel. I wanted to capture all of those feelings as candidly and as fairly as I could.
MD: I think you’ve definitely achieved that in this project. What’s the writing process for you?
DS: I don’t have one, and it’s different every time. Sometimes it can start with the lyrics and build a chord progression around it — build up the music that way. Or, I can start with the music and fill in the melodies that feel suggested and go that way — it’s always different. I think that’s what’s fun about it.
MD: I think NARCISSIST? is my favourite song — can you tell us about the meaning behind the track?
DS: Thank you. That one is just me trying to understand what the definition of a narcissist is and challenge the connotation of that word. I’m being very unapologetic in that song with how I feel, and that was actually challenging for me to put that out there as it’s very raw and honest. I think that’s what the process of making new songs is all about.
MD: There’s power in being vulnerable, and I think your listeners will be able to resonate with that.
DS: Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of good feedback with that — people really like that one.
MD: And that must be very reaffirming to put yourself out there and get such a great response?
DS: Yeah, yeah! You realise as a creative that you don’t always have the answers, and sometimes the deeper you go… you’ve gotta just let go of it.
MD: That’s a beautiful thing as a listener, if you can resonate, you suddenly don’t feel so alone in your thoughts.
DS: Yes.
MD: I’m also intrigued about the track I LO<3E MY EX? I feel like you go in deep on this track [laughs], and I’m all for it! I think that’s another track that will also resonate…
DS: The thing is — once again I’m really glad I captured that feeling — because these song ideas come and go, and sometimes you don’t catch it when it appears. I was just driving, and I had that beat sitting for a while. I remember it came off the tongue while I was driving, and I was like “I love my ex, yeah, she's a champ” [laughs], and I thought, what am I saying? I like this [smiles], and the process of writing that song was actually very quick because I did feel that way in the moment. It was just a matter of capturing it and putting it on record. I love that one.
MD: Me too, that track really stood out! Does it feel like therapy when you’re writing? Does it help?
DS: Yeah. That one for sure [laughs].
MD: What do you hope that people take away from this record?
DS: I just want you to feel something. From my vulnerability, hopefully, you can find a way to connect to yourself in a deeper way. I like my music to feel like a brain or a heart massage.
MD: I love that analogy.
DS: So if that album can sit in that way, I’m happy.
MD: What song from the album are you most proud of, and why?
DS: Probably ‘Golden’. These were feelings — I was clearly really in my feelings [laughs] — that I was capturing, but I think writing love songs comes very easily. Then having those moments where the songs are strictly just about life outside of love, those hold a special place in my heart. That song was special too because, from the lyrics to the progression, to the chords, I felt very hands-on with that one. I treated it with a lot of TLC. I even tried fitting it into the album in the middle and the beginning, and it wasn’t working, and I was like, this has to be the outro just for the way it sits. Once again, I wanted it to feel like a massage, and it gives that closure.
MD: Which track challenged you the most during the production process?
DS: ‘Sweet Life’, because when I made it, it felt like an intro because I just wanted it to be a banger from the jump. It’s the first song on the album — it has to set the stage — so I wanted the energy to feel right. Also, with my energy on that song, I was being careful… I don’t really talk my shit on songs… Not that I’m bragging on it or anything, but I’ve never really had that attitude in a song. So I wanted to do it in the right way. I love that song too; I love all of these songs. ‘Sweet Life’ went through maybe five different main versions, production-wise. Realistically twenty other versions.
MD: Would you say you’re a perfectionist?
DS: Yes. But I’m working on that. I don’t want to be as much of a perfectionist in my process.
MD: You’ve received a lot of accolades for such a young age, including a JUNO. How did that feel?
DS: It was good, I appreciated that recognition because I knew what that would mean to my family. I don’t dwell on things like that too much because I’m hungry for more [laughs]. But I definitely appreciated getting recognised in the moment.
MD: Do you feel any pressure now?
DS: I feel the motivation.
MD: What advice would you give to young, aspiring artists?
DS: If you’re serious as an artist, then it’s important to respect yourself as an artist. And see your visions through—you can’t worry too much about what other people have to say. It’s usually just noise. And stick to the vision.
MD: That’s some sound advice. Are there any changes you'd like to see in the music industry, particularly when it comes to young artists?
DS: I don’t think I’m the old guy that’s mad at the industry yet [laughs]. I like what young artists are doing. I like Leila a lot—she’s a young artist from New York. She’s super dope, and I like to see people have fun with it. It’s always the new generation that does the best job of it. It’s cool.
MD: If you could describe the album as a colour, a taste, and a temperature, what would that be and why?
DS: Colour is grey. It kind of neutralises everything. There’s such a range of sounds and feelings on this project, and it’s like grey just brings it back to a neutral place.Taste: Sweet.Temperature: Warm, like 26 degrees.
MD: Nice, that’s my optimum temperature.
Both: [Laughs]
MD: We know what you want your fans to take away, but what’s the biggest thing you’ve taken away through creating this?
DS: So much. I’ve honestly taken away a lot. In the process of creating the music, I’ve learned a lot, even just in terms of honing in on my skills. Becoming a better writer. Becoming a better musician and keyboardist. And having fun with it! All the songs that I ended up choosing were very fun to make. Anytime I’ve forced myself—I mean, you have to have those days, don’t get me wrong—but anytime I’ve forced myself to sit down and make a song, and bang my head against the wall because the lyrics aren’t right, when that happens, it’s not meant to be. I’ve learned a lot from my process about how people are going to appreciate the music regardless, no matter how many times I go over that song. I can be a perfectionist all I want, but the people just want music [laughs].
MD: The world would be better with…
DS: Love and peace.
MD: The world would be better without…
DS: Hypercriticism. not everything needs to be decoded.
MD: Is there anything coming up that we should keep an eye out for?
DS: I’m going on tour at the top of next year!
MD: That’s exciting!
DS: Yes, I will be in the UK in January.
MD: Nice! Are you coming to London?
DS: I am.
MD: Do you enjoy performing live?
DS: I love performing live.
MD: What’s the best part for you about performing live?
DS: The best part for me is getting to create an even deeper connection that can be attached to the music. Putting my life into music is one thing, but then putting the music onto the stage and having people connect with it that way is another thing. That’s what people remember, and that’s where I enjoy myself the most, to be honest, throughout the whole process.
MD: Have you played in London before? Did you like it?
We’re a lively bunch!
DS: Yeah! It was my favourite show so far! I’m excited to go back and start the tour out there.
MD: The best place to kick things off! Lastly, this is F Word Magazine, so we have to ask: What’s your favourite “F” word?
DS: Forgive.
MD: I love that! That came straight off the bat.
DS: [I] Almost said food [laughs].
