Christopher Dallman - So High (w/Interview)
Christopher Dallman is a musician with a unique history; he spent the first several years of his career as a folk singer/songwriter but has completely dropped that style to create an entirely new sound and musical approach. Today we have the pleasure of sharing our interview with Christopher Dallman where we get to learn more about this exceptionally distinctive artist and his new sound, followed by a dive into his newest single - released just a few days ago on August 7th - titled “So High” from his upcoming album Digital Blue which itself is due out on September 23rd.
You left music a folk singer and came back 6 years later as an electronic artist. Take us through how this happened?
Well, I left Los Angeles in 2013 and moved to my hometown of Milwaukee, WI. I didn’t intend to stop making music altogether, but that’s basically what happened. I had totally lost my confidence and my drinking - which was already fairly wild - sort of spiraled out of control. Nothing bad happened, thank god. But I had some close calls. During those 6 years I would squeeze out a song or two a year and maybe post it on YouTube, but I’ve always written about my own life and all I had to offer was songs about being a drunk. Not the most inspiring. I quit drinking a year and a half ago and it’s like a switch flipped. I wrote 3 new songs and decided they were good enough to find a way to release. So, I ventured into self-recording for the first time. I had my guitar and vocal tracks down but they felt empty on their own, so I decided to get a USB keyboard and explore the other sounds the computer had to offer. Basically, that was it. Music went from black and white to a kaleidoscope of colors as I explored digital sounds. I flowed creatively for the first time in my life. Even in my youth when I would write, it never really flowed. I had moments of inspiration but no real continuity. That all changed with this record. Now it honestly just feels like I’m done with the guitar. Which is wild. I always fancied myself a little folksinger but it appears that underneath all the layers of pain I shed when I quit drinking there was an electro pop artist waiting to come out.
Do you still play the guitar?
I don’t. It just doesn’t really flow. I messed around with an acoustic version of my single TIME OF MY LIFE and I’ll probably record a YouTube video of it sometime because it feeds the song through such a different emotional lens that it feels worthwhile to put out. I can’t say I never will - a few years ago I thought I would never record again and here we are in 2020 in the middle of a pandemic and the fight for racial equity and equality and I’m releasing my favorite music of my career. But my narrative right now is that the guitar held me back more than it helped. It’s like I was driving an old beater and it got me from point A to point B but it wasn’t the best ride. Now I’m driving a convertible down the Pacific Coast Highway and loving every minute.
Your new album DIGITAL BLUE (out 9/23) promises a new sound. What's different?
Everything is different! People are used to hearing songs where my emotions run the show. Whatever I feel, I feel big. My music grew tedious to listen to. I know that because it was tough for me to be fan of. I can listen to DIGITAL BLUE all 7 days of the week and still hear new things. It’s entirely electronic but for a guitar solo from my pal Riolanza. The heightened emotions are still there, but I think they are held more in balance and the songwriting and production choices really shine. It’s also the first album I’ve ever produced. I’ve always worked with producers and like they were great dudes and sweet Jesus did I learn a lot from them, but I never knew how to speak up for what I wanted. So, the vision was always a compromise. DIGITAL BLUE is all me.
Who did you collaborate with on this album or was it a totally self-produced effort?
I did collaborate with some folks. I gave my husband Josh Pohja and one of my best friends Elizabeth Uhl additional production credits. Everything I did to every song was filtered through them and they gave me so much advice and I started to really rely on it. Every musician or band has that inner circle. I just decided to honor mine with Production credits. They absolutely helped me shape what I was doing. I also didn’t mix or master it myself. As much as I’m a fan of the introversion of self-production, I think new ears are important. So the album was mixed by Christopher Brand at Two Cat Audio Labs and it was mastered by Justin Perkins at Mystery Room Mastering. Both of those guys are amazing and have really elevated everything I’ve made this year. I also got two of my best friends Taryn and Eddy Rioseco to sing backup on my new single “SO HIGH” and Riolanza to do an electric guitar solo for LIGHTSPEED. Finally, my friend Chantae Miller added vocals to 3 songs. Everything else is me.
What's it like for you to make music in these socially distanced times?
It’s wild, but honestly I’m thriving. I don’t mean to say that I’m enjoying the pandemic, just that social distance turns out to suit me. I’m an introvert and a homebody and this time has given me the permission to live as I choose without feeling guilty. I’m also not planning on performing live aside from some YouTube videos I have planned. When I was a folky guy, I played a few shows a month and it was a big part of my youth but I’m totally enjoying living my life without that particular spotlight. Of course, I’m still affected by the pandemic. Friends and coworkers have been sick... the business I manage is barely hanging on... I don’t mean to say that I’m enjoying the pandemic, just that socially distant turns out to suit me.
What's next for you? Is there anything else you want us to know?
Well, I’m excited to put out the album on September 23rd - my birthday. It’s two days before Sylvan Esso puts out their new record and they were hugely influential for me, so that’s sorta thrilling. I’m following the digital release up with a limited edition vinyl. You can preorder it here: https://digital-blue-pop-up.myshopify.com/collections/record-shop/products/preorder-digital-blue-limited-edition-autographed-12-vinyl I’m also planning a remix EP around Christmas and I’m nearly done with my next album ANIMAL. It pushes even farther than DIGITAL BLUE. It’s somehow more raw and also more polished at the same time. Aside from that I just have to say that Black Lives Matter. This is the most important struggle of our lifetimes and I need to take the opportunity to express where I stand. I’m donating all of the money I make with streaming this summer to various BLM charities. The time is now for white folks to speak up.
After talking with Christopher Dallman, it definitely became easier to understand his musical perspective and his new sound. Through “So High”, we get a chance to experience Dallman’s sonic rebirth and the track is truly something to behold. “So High” is a very relaxed song and I found it easy to sit back and relax while listening. Instrumentally, the track gives off very mellow vibes with a catchy beat and subdued but aesthetic synths. The vocal approach is soft and tender, with Dallman’s high-pitched vocals matching the feeling of his lyrics brilliantly. Overall, the track has a very balanced approach, never relying too much on either Dallman’s vocals or the instrumental track he created, but finding that sweet spot where everything blends together in musical bliss.
“So High” showcases Christopher Dallman’s talent for his new genre of music and all of the heart he puts into his music. Moreover, the track is also just one of many new songs coming from Dallman in the near future. Dallman’s rebirth as a musician and new style has me excited to hear more of his new material that is soon due for release in the form of Digital Blue. You can find Dallman’s website here and as always we have “So High” embedded below! Make sure to keep an eye out for Digital Blue due out on September 23rd!
