Dylan Sinclair (Apr. 2018)
Spirituality and sound have gone hand in hand since the dawn of music, spinning a web of lessons laced within lyrics to articulate feelings so essential to share. It is this connection that has been the foundation for all Dylan Sinclair has set to be. For Dylan, spirituality has surrounded his every corner, as has music, founding a Toronto native with a bag of knowledge ready to tackle an industry seemingly going off the deep end.
Wisdom and human connection, whether good or bad, abundant in the young musician’s head, all with an itching to share to the world.
Dylan Sinclair is truly a man with an outlook unique to his life, flooding it into his music daily as he works tirelessly to make a name for himself among the looming sky scrapers that he grew up under.
Paramind had the opportunity to speak with Dylan, hoping to understand his story while gaining wisdom along the way.
ParaMind: First question as always, how’s your day going?
Dylan Sinclair: Not too bad. Stuck inside with this ice storm but it seems like today’s gonna be a day with the fam.
PM: That’s a very positive outlook a shitty situation. To begin, In your own words, who is Dylan Sinclair? What aspects of his life matter the most to him and what are his goals going forward?
Dylan Sinclair: Dylan Sinclair is a youngin’ just trying to make an impact in the world by fulfilling his purpose given to Him by God. He cares most about protecting his loved ones, playing sports, being an example, and creating art. Moving forward, he wants to do everything he does now ten times better.
PM: As a musician, there’s usually a reason for going into the field, what do you find yours to be? What is your drive to create and push yourself in a challenging medium?
Dylan Sinclair: Oh man. Honestly, I’m all about the book of life and Matthew 25 is the first bible story I ever read on my own. It was back in ‘06 when I first read it and I was just 5 years old. It talked about using your God-given talents and not hiding them. That’s when I started singing at church. I come from a musical family too. Dad is a worship leader/pianist and played like every instrument growing up. My uncle was a singer in the church as well and led a gospel choir called Expression Of Praise to a JUNO nomination. God be with him, he passed last summer. Also, my aunt sings in the church and my other uncle plays bass in the church. All that spoke to me and inspired me to make music. The difference between me and them is that I wanna do this forreal as a full-time job type of thing. More people than those inside the walls of my church deserve to know about the gospel and my story. I’m so driven to tell my testimony in the best way that I can and that’s why I do what I do.
PM: Wow, that’s absolutely beautiful, just such a rich childhood of sound and experience. You also speak a lot of relationships in your lyrics with an emphasis on personal reflection, Why has that become a central theme for you and being so universal, has it helped you connect with your audience more?
Dylan Sinclair: Honestly, I write about whatever I feel and don’t purposely talk about relationships in my music but they just tend to be my biggest burden as I grow. I was put up against making some tough decisions in my past, made a lot of mistakes, and hurt a lot of people so I guess that’s why I wrote what I wrote. With my latest single Too Fast, you can tell that I’m the type of person to reflect on everything. I constantly do my best to correct myself in any situation even if it’s not my fault. I don’t expect anything from anyone but I expect the most from myself and I guess that’s what keeps me so hard on myself as you hear in my music. I also find that the more profound and pure my lyrics are, the more intimate my relationship is with my audience and those who support me. I just know that when I hear some of my musical inspirations talk about their deepest burdens, I can connect with them and they get me through my toughest days. I want to be that inspiration to someone else.
PM: For sure, Speaking on what you know and allowing it to heal others is just showing the beauty of music. As you grow as a person, do you believe your themes will change with experience, or is music an exercise in self reflection that you need to maintain in your life?
Dylan Sinclair: I mean what happens will happen but realistically, I see my music almost always being about self reflection. Of course I’ve written other types of songs but my best songs come from self-reflection. They’re easier to write cause it’s what I do on the daily, reflect on myself.
PM: it’s definitely healthy to self reflect and to have the medium of art to express it, it shows how thoughtful you are of yourself and surroundings. Shifting gears a little bit, You’re a Toronto based artist who meshes very well with the aesthetic of other artists in the city, do you find your location important to what you create and who you are? What does Toronto mean for you as a city as it becomes known around the world?
Dylan Sinclair: Honestly, I’m so blessed to be growing up in this city at this time which is another reason why I know this is what I’m called to do. It’s great cause there’s a large community of artists who are helping each other grow in their own areas of art. It’s shaped me because I have tons of artists that help make what I do, look and sound ten times better than I’d make it look and sound on my own. Also, as Toronto becomes known around the world, it makes my platform a lot larger as an artist. I wouldn’t want to be from anywhere else in the world but here. I’m so blessed.
PM: For sure, people who’ve been here since the early 2000s have just seen this city come to life and become such a mecca for artistry and magic and our basketball team is good as hell now.
Dylan Sinclair: Yeah, I remember watching the Raptors when I was a kid, they were nothing like what they are now. Fact about me, I actually play basketball too. Music and basketball, my two escapes. Music’s obviously taken over but playing basketball has always been something I loved doing.
PM: Basketball is the most beautiful sport, I’m a huge Raptors fan too and remember the dark days of Chris Bosh, but just as this city has grown so has everyone in it, it’s really about to take over. Who’s your favourite player of all time?
Dylan Sinclair: Raptors or all NBA ?
PM: Either or.
Dylan Sinclair: Vince Carter was a little before my time but I’ve seen highlights and statistics and he’s for sure the dude. All NBA for sure Jordan.
PM: Man I don’t know if we can continue this interview, I’m a Lebron guy… but honestly Vince Carter put this city on the map and changed everything, and that dunk contest was godly.
Dylan Sinclair: 2000 dunk contest was crazy. Best dunk contest of all time man. Lebron’s alright, don’t hate me.
PM: Jordan is number one all time, but lebrons right there, he’s too good…anyways, back to you. You may mesh well with the city, but how will you stand out compared to others and make a mark to be remembered?
Dylan Sinclair: I’m willing to be more vulnerable to the public than anyone else with my music. I’m young and working my ass off to show my uniqueness. Honestly every artist out here is so special but I pray that I can be a positive light to others. I pray that I can stand out through not only the sound of my music but through my character as well.
PM: How do you hope your sound will grow to help you stand out? What experimentation and strengths can propel your sound to new heights?
Dylan Sinclair: Just being inspired by so many different genres and listening to all sorts of music, I hope to create a sound of my own. I want my music to have a sound to it that people can only get from me and no one else. When I listen to my favourite artists, I have their albums on repeat because I can’t get their beautiful sound from anybody else but them.
PM: So in a way, you want to be so unique and true to self that others can’t categorize you or fit you in with others, leaving your fans constantly listening to you to get a taste of what they wished they had more of?
Dylan Sinclair: Exactly. Well worded, but yeah basically that. I’ve been told by my biggest inspirations that less is more and that’s what I’ve taken out of it. Give them something they can’t find anywhere else.
PM: Who has it been in and out of the city that you’ve found yourself looking towards for guidance and inspiration? What it is that they have taught and shown on you through your journey?
Dylan Sinclair: A few musicians that I look up to for guidance and inspiration are Kirk Franklin, Daniel Caesar, Chance The Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. There’s also family that I look up to for sure. All these people have shown me different things. They’ve all showed me that originality is what will mark the authenticity of my work. Those that speak of God really showed me that God is key and I can’t be ashamed of Him but I should always showcase what He’s done for me through my art.
PM: Those names are all such inspirations for anyone learning who they are themselves, and a spiritual connection is so underrated in terms of creation lately, how have you found yours to improve you and your music?
Dylan Sinclair: I grew up in the church so my spiritual connection has always been there but what made it stronger was the music. Christian music got me thinking. It got me comfortable with myself. And I wanna do that for someone. As long as I stay connected spiritually, my supporters will have something to bring them closer to getting to know themselves. Those lost will find their way through my art.
PM: You’re a poet every time you speak, its mesmerizing. Do you have any new projects or work coming soon that those fans should know of? And if so, why is it going to be something to keep in rotation?
Dylan Sinclair: Don’t gas me man I’m just speaking my mind. But yeah I’ve got some stuff coming. A little project on its way soon that I’m mad excited for. I don’t like the word fans, I prefer supporters, but those who support better stay tuned because this project is going to be as great as I can make it. I don’t want to talk about it too much but I just want it to be known that something special is coming soon.
PM: Why call them supporters over fans? What’s the difference?
Dylan Sinclair: The relationship between an artist and their fans is less intimate than the relationship between an artist and their supporters. My supporters really got me and look out for me. As I remind myself to use that word over the other, it helps me stay true to myself and not let anything get to my head. I can’t have that happen.
PM: For sure, keeping humble is essential. Now finally, who do you hope to be remembered as through art? And more so, what experiences or emotions do you want your fans to take away from what you create?
Dylan Sinclair: It’s only the beginning but when this is all said and done, I want to be remembered as the guy who at a young age, had a dream that falls out of the system, and chased it. I want to help others and uplift others in spirit even when they’re at their lowest. I want people to remember my name when they’re feeling down. I want them to know that there are tons of others going through what they’re going through because they heard about their experience in my music. I want them to feel comfortable with themselves and their struggles. We’re all going through something and I want people to know that when they listen to my music.
PM: In a sense then, is it correct to say that you want to share what those other artists and God have done for you to others and for you to be the guiding hand which leads them from darkness to light?
Dylan Sinclair: Perfectly said. The best thing to hear is when people tell me that my music has helped them through something. I love that.
PM: That’s a beautiful note to end it on, Is there anyone or anything you’d like to shout out or promote? The floor is yours…
Dylan Sinclair: Shoutouts to my right hand man, Nathan Henry. My prodigal collective boys Kenyon, Zion, and Evan. Follow @prodigal.co on instagram and watch for us as we spread the gospel through art. I grew up with those dudes and connect so well with them. Lastly my whole immediate and extended family, thank you for having my back and supporting me through it all. My church family, my girlfriend for being my backbone, my producers JR and Justin who first got me in the studio, Nowie the goat, and all those who support me. Much love.