Artist info
Genre
Indie, Pop, Rock
band members
Noah Dillon (vocalist/guitar), Jack Hill (drums), Sam Rocchi (guitar) and Claudia Genovese (bass)
Influences
Middle Kids, Julia Jacklin, Ball park music, Modest Mouse, Courtney Barnett, Car Seat Headrest , Paul Dempsey
Unearthed artists we like
Stella Donnelly, RAT!hammock, Spacey Jane, Julia Jacklin, Asha Jefferies, Bugs, Fraeya , Alexander Biggs
Bio
Singer-songwriter Noah Dillon blends elements of indie rock and alternative folk in a cathartic concoction that looks to juxtapose the mundanities of life with some of its deepest questions. Known for his raw emotion and euphoric soundscapes expect to dance, laugh and cry all the same time.
Sunburnt in July was written in the dead of winter at my old family house in Fremantle. Somehow I got heat stroke on a 20 degree, relatively cloudy Tuesday afternoon. The only conclusion I could draw from this is that I probably hadn’t been outside enough and was in desperate need to get some of that sweet vitamin D. Lyrically it focuses on how my general tendency to overthink situations can often end up with me not partaking in the situation. It also looks into the pressure of being extraverted in social situations and how it doesn’t always correlate with the worth of that relationship or experience. In whole the song is about just being yourself and not overthinking the person you are.
Claudia Genovese (Bass), Jack Hill (Drums), Sam Rocchi (Guitar) and I (Noah Dillon) locked ourselves in at Debaser Studio alongside producer Andy Lawson. Sonically we took a lot of inspiration from some of my favourite acts that walk the line of emotive, personal songwriting with big pop sensibilities; for instance Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail or Mitski. Songwriting (for me) seems to either be a labour of love or a burst of inspiration, this song came so quickly and organically in a burst of inspiration when writing it that I wanted it to feel like that on the record. Hopefully with the help of Andy the song is cathartic and heavy in its emotional impact whilst still feeling effortless and simplistic in its design.
Noah Dillon is already having a huge 2020 and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down soon. Recently selected as Triple J Unearthed feature artist in May, playing the first Isol-aid festival, and freshly signing to New World Artists. Glowing praise for the recent single “Mathew McConaughey” has propelled the band into the hearts of Australia.
“excuse me while I carve out some extra space on the WA's Mt. Rushmore for indie visionaries alongside Kevin Parker, Nick Allbrook, Stella Donnelly and Carla Geneve.” Dave Ruby Howe, Triple J
Thanks for listening! We hope you enjoy <3
Get to know this week's triple j Unearthed Feature Artist, Noah Dillon!
Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?
Music and songwriting is a really personal experience for me which usually works around a lot of introspection and self analysis particularly lyrically. It all starts in my bedroom with just me and a guitar and then I build on the sound scape around that base of the song with the band. I guess the sound developed from transitioning the more singer song-writer / story telling elements of the music into an indie/alt rock production. We try and make sure the sounds and performance reflects the emotions of the lyrics, which means it can often go from very soft and quiet too loud and fast.
What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?
For me the greatest source of inspiration is my internal processing of my surroundings, whether its the mundanity of everyday life or some of the deeper experiences like love or grief. A lot of my writing seems to look at how I identify with those experiences and how the shape who I am. Its all a pretty organic experience and I’m usually figuring out what I’m saying whilst I’m saying it.
What can punters expect from a Noah Dillon live show?
Lots of dancing, lots of energy, lots of emotions and lots of synchronised guitar ticks. Hopefully our shows can walk the line of reflective and soft whilst also having parts that are fast and euphoric.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?
Probably from my dad, his a strong believer that if you want anything enough and you try hard enough you’ll get to where you want to be. Music is something that I want to do more than anything in the world so I guess I hold that message pretty close to my heart and want to just keep writing and playing until we get to the place I want to be.
What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?
'It’s Nice To Be Alive' by Ball Park Music… I used to listen to that song everyday on the bus to school and I never cried on the bus!
What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?
'When The Family Flies In' by Julia Jacklin…. I’ve cried too many times to that hehe.
You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?
'Beds Are Burning' by Midnight Oil… Simply so I can dance like Peter Garrett behind the decks.
What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?
The last gig I went to was actually Nannup music festival which we played at. It was probably one of the funnest gigs we’ve done. Such a big vibe, i've never seen 16yr olds to 70yr olds all on the same wavelength dancing to music.. old people are crazy.
Tell us about the bands or people in the WA music community that inspire you
I'm inspired by so many people in Perth it’s insane. Firstly Sam who plays guitar in my band writes some of the best songs ever in a band called cosy. My best mate and housemate Ryley lays it down, ol mate Jack Davies is a songwriting machine who I used to play mandolin with. Broderick Madden-scott who recorded our first EP and is the brains behind ‘Haircare’ is a genius. Watching Stella Donnellys career has been so huge and inspiring for me. Carla Geneve, Albert from ‘New Nausea’, Fraeya, Siobhan Cotchin, Spacey Jane, Grievous Bodily Calm, Dulcie THERES TO MUCH IT'S ALL AMAZING AND INSPIRING!!
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Wow, Noah. Every time! There's such a special pull to your voice and songwriting that sucks you in immediately. It's emotional, raw, but it also feels like it glides and it's nothing but beautiful.
Wow, Noah. Every time! There's such a special pull to your voice and songwriting that sucks you in immediately. It's emotional, raw, but it also feels like it glides and it's nothing but beautiful.
Review
after a few high energy hits from noah this year, i'm loving this switch up as he follows his own advice and takes the pedal off the metal for some stunning results.
after a few high energy hits from noah this year, i'm loving this switch up as he follows his own advice and takes the pedal off the metal for some stunning results.
Review
After a year of taking big strides with his music it looks like Noah Dillon is gonna end 2020 with another memorable moment to his name. In his element with another minutiae-laden story to tell, Noah's hitting a personal note that feels pretty evocative to me, at least.
After a year of taking big strides with his music it looks like Noah Dillon is gonna end 2020 with another memorable moment to his name. In his element with another minutiae-laden story to tell, Noah's hitting a personal note that feels pretty evocative to me, at least.
