Fresh off the highway and with the dust barely settled from his debut album “Wildflowers,” Dillon Vanders slides back into the scene. This time, he’s dropping a new single, “On The Run,” and giving us the first glimpse of what’s next. With a tune that’s got a beat as lively as a Friday night and thoughts deep as midnight musings, Dillon’s here to chat.

Dillon is an entire energy storm. When he talks about “On The Run,” his excitement crackles like electricity. It’s a full-on assault on the senses, a wild musical adventure that begs you to join the ride. He’s a sonic mad scientist, throwing everything he’s got – his heart, his soul, the kitchen sink – into the mix to create these incredible songs. We snagged some exclusive time with Dillon to riff about his upcoming track, his new album, and all the bits in between. No frills, no coasting on past creds—just straight talk about the new sounds, the soul of his upcoming anthems, and what flips his switch these days. Gear up, ’cause Dillon’s laying it down raw and real.

photo by Rachael Adams

Hey Dillon, thanks for taking the time to chat with me. Your new single ‘On The Run’ is dropping pretty soon, on June 29th. It’s the first taste of your upcoming album, and it sounds really upbeat and positive. But how would you describe the sound of ‘On The Run’?

It’s definitely more of a rocker, but the subject matter is a little more, I guess, introspective. It’s about that thing we do as humans where we believe there’s some other life or situation out there where we’d be happier than in the one we’re living in, and realizing that kind of thinking is a big waste of time!

Why did you choose ‘On The Run’ as the lead single for your upcoming album? Since the first single often sets the tone and hints at the overall sound of a new record, it must have been a significant decision.

It’s got a great hook! My last record, Wildfires, was a tad more on the laid back side. There’s definitely some of that style on this new record, but there’s a few more rockers as well. I think ‘On The Run’ is sort of the middle ground on the album, so it gives folks a good idea of what to expect overall.

Could you share a particular line from ‘On The Run’ that is especially meaningful to you, and tell us the story behind it?

Sure! The final verse is my favorite. It’s long, but it’s the point of the song where the protagonist realizes just how much time he’s wasted dreaming about a better life. For me personally, I’ve learned that it’s best to appreciate what you have, and that happiness lies in the present moment.

What was the most challenging aspect of bringing ‘On The Run’ to life? Were there any unexpected hurdles in the studio?

There was a lot of magic and good luck during the recording process where many of the parts just seemed come together. We had some personnel changes midway through the tracking of the album including our lead guitarist, which was a bummer, but I ended up tracking the vast majority of the guitar parts myself, which turned out pretty well! I was impressed, lol.

I’m really intrigued by the title of your upcoming album, ‘The Dark American Night’. It sounds like there might be some powerful themes woven throughout. Can you share the story behind the title “The Dark American Night”? What inspired it, and how does it reflect the themes or mood of the album?

The Dark American Night is a phrase I once heard Tom Waits use in an interview. It always stuck with me. I think we’re at a very peculiar moment in our history as a country. There’s a lot of division, a lot of people really struggling to get by economically, and a real sense of not being sure who and what we can trust. “The Dark American Night” is intended to be a description of this moment in time. Many the songs address some of the pain Americans are facing these days.

photo by Rachael Adams

Reflecting back on your debut with “Wildfires,” how do you feel your sound or storytelling has evolved with “The Dark American Night”? What experiences since your first release have shaped the music on this new album?

A lot has changed since Wildfires came out. I started writing and recording it way back in 2018, and did the bulk of the recording during the pandemic. When Wildfires debuted, COVID was on its way out, and there was a sense of hope that things were gonna start getting better. In many ways, that’s not exactly how it played out. I learned a lot being an independent musician trying to tour and promote himself in the post covid era. I definitely think that shaped some of the lyrics and stylistic choices on Dark American Night.

How do you think ‘On The Run’ will resonate with your fans, especially those who have followed you since your debut album?

I sure hope they dig it! I’m really happy with how these songs turned out. ‘On The Run’ is definitely one of my favorites so I hope it’s well received!

From your perspective as an independent artist, what are some of the biggest challenges and rewards of working in the music industry in 2024?

Oh man, where do I even start? Artists are responsible for every aspect of their careers, and its getting more expensive to operate. The business model of streaming has devalued music to basically nothing. Artists invest thousands in their product, and are expected to give it all away for free. In fact, my plan with this record is to release 3 singles on to streaming platforms, and release the album on bandcamp and sell physical copies. We all need to come together to take on the greed of streaming platforms, and I think that’s a great way for artists to start doing it. The records were all making are worth a lot more than what Spotify pays, which is essentially nothing. 

Americana seems to be a genre that’s timeless, much like jazz. While pop music is constantly changing, genres like Americana and jazz seem to maintain their core essence and tradition. What do you think makes these genres so enduring and resistant to the rapid changes that characterize other musical styles?

Great question. I think Americana is such an enduring genre because it incorporates so many different styles. You can really get creative with it, but it’s still got a very familiar feeling for the listener. It’s hard to make rock and roll that sounds original, and same goes with a lot of other genres. Americana is a melting pot, and as an artist, you can really make it your own. Jazz is so cool because it’s such a trip to watch people play it. I have friends in a band called RMS Trio, and I saw them play a country/jazz fusion set at The Baked Potato in Studio City, and man was that good! 

When you’re on tour, what’s one must-have item you always bring with you for comfort or luck?

Weed and lots of it! Ha! Mostly kidding (but not really). I always have a picture of my dog and cat and fiance that I keep with me. Being away from home can get rough, so pictures are key. Also, I have a pendant my dad gave me that has a meteorite in it. I always take that with me when I travel!

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