Dylan Walker taps into a classic, timeless sound on the soothing lullaby of ‘All I Need Is You’. Sung with such heart, the lyrics have a tremendous vulnerability behind them. A bit of Conor Oberst’s spirit comes into the fray for there is a hushed reverence about the piece. Love defines the piece in the truest sense with the graceful gestures amplifying out into the vast space. No matter what though that initial intimate spark continues and underlines the whole of the message. His care and compassion are obvious as is the humility he expresses, the sort of thing that happens upon living a fully realized life. 

Vocals introduce the piece for his expressiveness radiates throughout. Delicate guitar gestures take a page from the Mountain Goats’ early work, for there is a simple yet emotionally resonant quality to it. The rest of the music gradually enters into the fray though it never overwhelms the sound. Rather, there is a dreamy spirit that helps the message to evolve, for the piece feels so nimble. Everything takes its time with the drums hitting on a more emotional than time-keeping kick. Little flourishes, the small sweeps of sound, all of these merge together for the finale that feels ever so joyous in its sense of togetherness. 

‘All I Need Is You’ features the undeniable talent of Dylan Walker in crafting a piece that defies any pigeonholing to explore its own small corner of the universe. 

ExposedVocals.com

Exclusive Interview

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Sure, so my name is Dylan Walker, I’m 25 years old and I’m a singer/songwriter from Surrey, managed by Happy Sloth Records. I was born on 26^th November 1995, and grew up in Southend-On-Sea, Essex.

I began my music career at around 17 years old, playing a number of small gigs around the UK, and one small gig in Vienna, Austria. 

Earlier this year I released my first cover single, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. And, following that success, I wrote and recorded my debut single ‘All I need is you’ which was released on the 19th March, on all streaming platforms.

Anyway, enough about me, what first got me into music… I’d have to say my dad. I travelled a lot playing tennis growing up and so a lot of my childhood was spent in the car on the road. And, back then with no Spotify to kill the time, we used to listen to the Radio. My Dad was a big lover of old music, anything from the 60’s and 70s and even the 80s too (in my opinion the best music). He used to sing-a-long and I guess after a few plays I picked up the lyrics and would sing with him too. For me, it’s a really fond memory and I also loved the stories old songs told – and from that I guess a passion for music was born inside me.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Dylan Walker: Simple – Don’t try to be someone else. Be yourself.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that? 

Dylan Walker: Of course. Mistakes are important – it’s how we learn. No one went through their career without making mistakes during performances, not even John Mayor. You play through them and you learn form them.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Dylan Walker: I haven’t toured yet, but my aim is to in 2022. First I need to get my name out there more and write and release more music.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Dylan Walker: I record my music at Fairlight Studios in Hampton, they are the best in my opinion and I won’t be changing anytime soon.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Dylan Walker: You get out what you put in. So, if you send your music to one blogger or playlist curator don’t expect a lot. Likewise, if you spam 1000 companies, don’t expect a lot either – what you say and submit are equally important too. Research and write to as many companies and services as you can which are after your style of music, and make sure what you submit is meaningful, clear and thought through – they get sent 1000s of submissions a day – help them out, and stand out.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Dylan Walker: I’d perform at the 02 in London with Elvis Presley with an acoustic version of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. Because it’s my favourite song of all time – and its Elvis!

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Dylan Walker: Well, my new single ‘All I Need Is You’ just came out, so I’ll be promoting that as much as I can. And then it’ll be back in the studio to work on my next 2 singles which I’ve written, ‘Life Began With You’ and ‘We Are Meant To Be’. Which, I can’t wait for you to hear. They’ll be coming out in May and June hopefully. You can also check my website to stay up to date with the release dates for these – happyslothrecords.co.uk

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Dylan Walker: Probably tennis coaching abroad in the sun somewhere.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

Dylan Walker: 2 new singles – ‘Life Began With You’ and ‘We Are Meant To Be’, a short album to follow and hopefully if all goes to plan a mini UK tour to kick-off 2022.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

Dylan Walker: My mum…

…My debut single ‘All I Need Is You’, is very personal to me. I started writing it last year when I was in a bad place and I finished it earlier this year, in a better place, since overcoming most of the struggles. I wrote it for my mum, and it’s all about coming to a realisation of what is truly important in life, and what’s not. Last year I could have had all of the money and fame in the world, but it wasn’t what I needed. I needed my mum – and she was there for me, like she always has been – and always will be.