Around the time the music industry was in a free fall, having been knocked around by Napster and pummeled by iTunes, Jared Dylan was begging for guitar lessons. “When I was ten years old, I loved music and I was desperate to learn to play,” says the Montville-based musician. As he entered his freshman year and auditioned for the Montville School of Rock club, the music industry went on life support—major music labels would stop doling out large paychecks and backing lavish tours. CD sales would be eclipsed by the digital sale of singles. And music executives and analysts would wonder ‘have we hit bottom—yet?’
For Dylan, and an entire generation of teens with musical aspirations, the fate of the music industry is sort of beside the point. Who cares if a label won’t take you under its wing? You can post on social media, fan the flames of Twitter feeds and hope your music and accompanying videos go viral. In fact, today’s musical idols often boast of this DYI mindset. “I admire the Arctic Monkeys for their dynamic lyrics,” says Dylan. “But also because they were able to become a huge Internet success independently, without the help of a major label.”
Dyaln, who has written 29 songs and has an impressive local following, isn’t consumed with marketing plans and chart-topping hits. “For me, it’s about the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction that comes with the completion of each song,” says the 17-year-old. “Seeing the impact that my music has on other people, that’s why I love being a musician. I write about things that stir my own emotions. I am a storyteller and I try to write my music in a way that tells stories that everyone can relate to.”
His latest release, “You Drive Me Crazy,” is about getting through tough times. “I’m hoping it sends the message, ‘You should never give up on what’s important,’” says Dylan. “Through all the anger and upsets, any problem can be solved and any goal can be reached.” And with that he adds rock star status can wait. “I want to have loyal fans who genuinely appreciate my music. I am in no rush to have a huge fan base.”