There are a ton of great acoustic singer/songwriters out there. I tend to flock to a lot of them too having befriended guys like Curtis Peoples, Chris Parish, Josh Hoge and more. This guy deserves to be thrown in the same category. His songwriting is incredible. He pulls this stuff from somewhere real, somewhere deep inside of him. There is no way you can make stuff like this up. He has had to have lived through some of this, or is living through it now. But then we get to his voice. I would love to just listen to this guy sing. I don’t need the guitar. His voice is enough. He also has a great sense of humor. He likes to tell jokes, that’s for sure! Just ask him about his biggest influence. Regardless, this kid has some talent. It is my pleasure to sit down and introduce you to Dylan Chace. (Yes, that is how you spell his last name. I am not sure why, but I won’t argue with the man!)
I assume that Dylan Chace is your real name. And I must admit. I have never seen Chace spelled that way. Are you sure its not spelled Chase?
Just trying to be difficult. As usual.
How long have you been performing?
I’ve been performing for about four years.
What is your first memory of the guitar?
I only picked up the guitar like five years ago. Boredom… and to pick up chicks. But mostly boredom.
Where do you practice?
I practice in my living room. Not very exciting. Except for the pet tiger I have with me, and the women feeding me grapes while I’m dressed like Hugh Hefner. No big deal.
Where are you originally from?
I grew up in New Hampshire. Yes, it’s a state.
If you could live anywhere else in the world where would you go?
Utah. Become a Mormon. Have a bunch wives. Doesn’t sound like a bad life actually.
Your MySpace page says that I am the first person to listen to Alanna. Is that true?
No, I think that was an error. Plenty of people have heard the song… Except the girl actually named Alanna who it was written about.
I love your voice. You remind me a lot of my good friend Curtis Peoples.
Someone else has said to me too.
What is the biggest crowd you have ever played for?
I have played for a few hundred.
The smallest?
One person… my mom… She said I did a good job. But seriously. I don’t care how many people come. It’s just about playing music, and making an impression on people. If it’s one person. That’s cool. I wouldn’t want to be someone who played to hundreds of people, but the lyrics and songs weren’t meaningful enough to make them think. Or to challenge them emotionally. And building a fanbase I think is more meaningful when it happens organically. Brick by brick, I guess would be the cliché. Its more of a long term approach to being a musicians. Having fans for life. Other than just being the flavor of the week type deal.
Tell me a little bit more about your EP.
My EP was more of a demo, but people kept asking to buy tracks so I put it up for sale. But I have a new CD out called Push the Jump Button. It SHOULD be better. I kind of matured as a singer. I was scared to push the limits when recording before. I spoke more than I sang, but im starting to push the limits and not care as much and its coming through in the sound. I also have found a rhythm as a songwriter. It’s a difficult thing writing a song, and as you do it more, you become better obviously. I think the lyrics of the new tracks are a little more poignant and therefore should stick with people a little better I’m hoping.
Is it just you on stage or is there a band back there?
No band. Just me. A guitar. Some dance moves. And some terrible jokes.
Do you write all of your own lyrics?
Yes. 100%. Every song is about relationships. Good, bad, starting, ending, missing someone, wanting to be with someone that doesn’t know you exist, etc… I write songs as a catharsis, and I guess relationships are the only thing I haven’t figured out in life. I still have no clue how to have one. It’s frustrating. So I write about it. Also I think it’s the one thing everyone has in common. Everyone wants to be in love inherently, but it is still hardest thing to figure out.
Where do you get inspiration for a new track?
Women. The songs are usually about a particular scenario with a girl. Some are about the emotional stuff. Some are about the physical aspects of a relationship. (I’m talking about making out, not sex… in case my mom reads this!) Some are about love. And some are about wanting the person to get hit by a bus. It just depends on what kind of mood im in I guess. Honestly though, most of the songs are about wanting the girl to get hit by a bus.
Is it true that the city of New York never sleeps?
I sleep. Well, when I’m not partying with the Jay-Z
I was in New York last September for Electric Zoo. Did you go to that?
Never heard of it. But I do go to a lot of live music events.
You know, you look more like a movie star than a musician.
Movie stars get paid a lot more. So I may have picked the wrong line of work.
Actually, you look like that guy on Will & Grace.
Wait? Which one?
What are your thoughts on MySpace? Sort of seems like a dying social network if you ask me.
I think it’s great for musicians. It’s a functional website, in essence. But apart from that, Facebook kicks the crap out of MySpace. I am a Facebook addict… I need fans. Feel free to shamelessly suggest people become a fan of my music. They can just click here to visit my page.
Are you on Twitter?
Yes. You should follow me. However, I still have no idea how to use it.
What is your favorite venue to play?
I love playing outdoors. But I don’t have a favorite place otherwise.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I completely make a fool of myself every time I go on stage… on purpose. I play heartbreaking emotional songs. In between the songs I joke around, and banter with the audience and tell embarrassing stories, self depreciating humor, stories about me getting dumped, etc… So people can relate and laugh… and so people don’t have to sit through ten consecutive songs about a girl dumping me six years ago… which I’m totally over… not bitter at all…
Do you ever forget the words to your own songs?
I never forget the words to my own songs. But I forget the words to cover songs all the time.
So do you really break dance?
No I would break my neck.
So living in New York, are you a Yankees fan or a Mets fan?
RED SOX. RED SOX. RED SOX
Do you play any sports?
I play every sport. I love every sport. I’m also terrible at every sport.
Is Megan Fox really an invention?
She’s so hot it doesn’t seem real sometimes…
Do you have a job outside of music?
Yes. It’s a boring sales job. I have to wear a shirt and tie. It sucks.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
If I’m not a world famous musician, and married to Megan Fox, I’d like to be like the new Dog the Bounty Hunter. Grow a mullet. Wear a lot of leather. Catch criminals. That would be a dream come true.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
I want to be remembered as a “dynamic” person. I am funny, but also serious. I don’t want to be predictable. No one has ever said I was boring. Hopefully that never happens. If I ever do end up boring, I’ll probably just develop a drug habit… that’s always good for keeping people on their toes.
I always let the artist get the last word. Go.
People ask me what kind of musical “style” I have… I kind of consider myself a cross between a few musical artists. I have Lady GaGa’s fashion sense, Lindsay Lohan’s drug problems, Usher’s dance moves and Kayne West’s ego. I think I make it work.
