Q&A: Jumping Into the Music Scene With A Retro Yet Refreshing Sound, Sylas Dean Talks New Single “Agony”
ALTHOUGH ONLY BEGINNING TO RELEASE MUSIC THIS YEAR — Connecticut-born singer Sylas Dean’s anthemic melodies already have a nuanced feel to them. His deep vocals, combined with skillful production and distinctive lyrics, make his songs feel luscious and transportive as he addresses heartbreak, love, and more.
Inspired by the likes of Queen, Elton John, and Tina Turner, Dean does a fabulous job of matching his idols' fervour and talent. His debut EP American Dreeming retells classic love tropes through the lens of a glam rock spectacle. His music takes the listener through story after story in tunes that can be danced to, and is reminiscent of exciting pop hits from the early 2000s.
Dean's newest single, “Agony,” is perhaps the best of his work so far. The song is a retro pop tune, distinguished by its dark and almost haunting undertones. With thick bass synths and suave vocals, Dean creates a heavy atmosphere — in the best way possible, “Agony” sounds like nightclubs and drunken parties after a break-up.
Read below to learn more about Dean's inspirations, favourite themes, and hopes for the future.
LUNA: “Agony” is dark, yet quite danceable at the same time. What did you want to convey/make listeners feel through the song?
DEAN: That's a fantastic way to phrase it and it's exactly what we were going for when we got into the studio. I'm pretty fascinated with the duality of grim mixed with pop — I think the two pair together more often than we think in a visual context, but I wanted to lean into the music specifically and see if there was a way they could coexist in one track successfully. I think at the surface you could read “Agony” as hyperbole when we talk about pain or losing a lover, but I wanted to keep the grief of the song somewhat ambiguous in depth. Could something much darker still resonate even within dance music? — that was the question.
LUNA: How is the new single different from/similar to your EP American Dreeming?
DEAN: I wrote “Agony” right around the same time as some of the other tracks, but I think we made a conscious choice to let it stand on its own. American Dreeming was my debut and that music felt much more glossy and positive; some of it I'd even consider chill pop. But “Agony” took on a whole different feel to it that kept it off the EP entirely — it needed the right moment before I could put it out and start exploring the concept fully.
LUNA: Whose work are you influenced by, sonically as well as lyrically?
DEAN: I'm a fan of the greats when it comes to songwriting. I've studied a lot of what works in pop and have worked through the 2000s and even the ’90s with titans like Max Martin and Dianne Warren. Lyrically, I try to pull focus away from my own verbiage and push to draw on new conversations and new ways of thinking through storytelling. One thing I'm always conscious of is the accessibility of my writing. I have a rule that I prefer most of what I write to be immediately accessible for a listener the first time around. I don't think writing cryptically with pop music serves much more than the artist's ego as a lyricist.
LUNA: What is your favorite part of the creation process?
DEAN: When things start to come to life in the studio. The second we start building in the booth and I can hear the music I was envisioning coming together in real time, it's like a drug. I become obsessed and I can't put the song down; we spend hours in the studio just writing and layering and experimenting with what we've got. I'm always driving with every song I'm working on to make this one better than anything I've done before. Constantly asking myself the question of how I can make this moment or this verse impact that listener even more.
LUNA: To you, what feels like the most difficult part of being a musician?
DEAN: The business side can be a grind. I've been through a lot of doors and had a lot of rejection in the industry. So facing those hurdles while staying creative and continuing to push is half the fight for me. It's challenging as an artist to feel blowback or critique when some of the key decision makers in the industry have no sense of what it means to hustle through small time gigs, or kill 12 hours in the studio writing records — they're removed from the "magic" of music and yet they make the call on every major decision in the game. You have to be ready to get in that game if you want your songs heard.
LUNA: What role does social media play in your journey?
DEAN: To me it's like a canvas; I treat it with the same seriousness that I do when I'm working on cover art or thinking of directional concepts for the music we're launching months from now. It can be a daunting way to view your socials as extensions of your work, but for me I want every inch of the music and the creative I'm making to be seen. I want all extensions of Sylas Dean as a caricature to reach an audience in a meaningful way. Nothing is a waste, nothing is a throw away — it's all crafted with intent and precision.
LUNA: What are some themes your music touches upon frequently? How do you hope it makes your audience feel?
DEAN: Lately I've been getting deep into the club scenes now that things are finally opening up, and there's a new energy for what's coming in LA and New York. I've been inspired to make more dance music and I'm sitting on this track right now that I'm just waiting to release when things feel ready. I blast it constantly ’cause I'm just screaming for when I actually get to put it out. I try not to pander to what's popular at the moment but lead with what's exciting for me, I think that translates in how the music rolls out for the listeners. I have to feel incredible about it for it to really reach its release potential.
LUNA: What are your intentions for 2021?
DEAN: 2021 is still about hustle — I want more music, more visuals, more videos, and I want to get out on the road and play live more than ever. Like I said, there's a massive wave of energy and a new era coming and I'm gonna be a part of that.
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