As an artist and songwriter you must be willing to let the music comes to you without any set direction. The songs that flow out naturally will always be the best. Our new discovery Dixon Rose does just that and it has been working out well.
We had a chance to chat with the songwriter to get a little deeper behind the scenes. Enjoy the interview:
First off, how did the name Dixon Rose come to be?
Well actually… Dixon came from my favorite character on the walking dead. And rose was my mom’s maiden name. So the guy I was seeing at the time was helping me come up with different names for me. And it just kinda popped into his head and said “Dixon Rose” and I was like oh wow that actually sounds pretty cool!
How would you describe your sound?
That’s a tough one because I play on everything from rap to rock to synth/dance music. But overall I’d say my sound is like a blend of soft guns n roses, reo Speedwagon. I was really influenced by the 90s growing up so a lot of my stuff sounds totally 90s into the early 2000’s that’s really the only way I can describe it. I’ve never really given much thought into “my sound” though I just play and write what I’m feeling at the time. Really it depends on my emotions. My emotions play a huge factor in my sound when I write.
Which artists have had the biggest influence on you?
Oh geez… who wasn’t an influence? Biggest I would say has to be slash from guns n roses. But there’s Gary richrath, Eric Clapton. Hendrix, the beach boys, Phil Collin. that’s just a few but I can’t really say there’s a person out there that hasn’t inspired me in some way musically.
What motivates you to create the music that you do?
I would have to say it falls back to my emotions and feelings again. If I’m feeling in a more depressed state of mind then my music comes off as very sad. When my spirits are up then that’s when my faster paced stuff and happier sounds come into play. So when I write music I don’t necessarily sit down and say “ok, I want this song to sound happy or sad” I just start playing around with a few chords and get my mindset into my emotions and it really just takes off from there. I will say this there was a big motivator and influencer in the beginning of my writing this music and had it not been for him I don’t think I’d be here right now. So I’d like to thank him for being the one to tell me that I should pursue this music career and believe in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you Joey you’ll never know how much you pushed me for the good.
We hear you have a new single coming. What can you tell us about it?
It’s actually another album that’s gonna be coming out soon. I’ve had a few people listen to some of the songs that’s going to be on it and so far it’s gotten some fairly positive responses! I won’t tell you the style the next album is, but I think it’ll knock your socks off. Hopefully I’ll have it released by end of July early august of 2021
You have built up quite a following on Tik Tok. What is your secret?
Now if I told you that it wouldn’t be a secret now would it? Lol. But in all reality I don’t know the following came about. I’m just a simple guy from Cleveland Ohio who so happened to be lucky enough to write music that people enjoy. I look at every single fan as a blessing and I hope to entertain them for a long time to come!
Share some advice for other artists trying to get noticed?.
Play as much as you can and record everything you play. Even if you have a little riff that you think is dumb save it, you might be able to turn It into something great down the road. And put your music out everywhere you can. TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, wherever! And don’t doubt your abilities ever. And try to collaborate with as many other musicians as possible. Try out different styles of music, always keep trying to learn, even if you feel you’ve mastered an instrument.
Give us a look at the future for Dixon Rose.
Hopefully the future will be full of great music, friends, family, and love. That’s all I can really hope for for my future.
