As Dylan Cartlidge releases his debut album ‘Hope Above Adversity’ we talk to the singer from Redcar who has used his past trauma to create something meaningful for others who may be going through hard times. ‘Hope & Adversity’ is inspired by Dylan’s incredible story of positivity following overcoming his difficult and traumatic childhood which included spending time in care. The album is full of bold, colourful alt-rap with gospel influenced tracks which Dylan created with new collaborators including Ed Irwin Singer (of Glass Animals) and producer Eg White (Adele, Florence + The Machine, Sam Smith).
‘Hope Above Adversity’ seems like such a personal debut album with you sharing your personal story overcoming a traumatic childhood. What made you comfortable enough to share your story with the world?
The fear of somebody experiencing trauma or adversity and on top of everything else to feel like you’re alone in those situations in my experience is utterly devastating and ostracising. And I believe it’s my obligation to use my platform to be able to give back the hope I didn’t have as a child in danger and to challenge the stigma around Trauma in the industry.
Your debut album was produced during the lockdown while you were shielding at home. What was that experience like for you?
A weird and a whacky one like lockdown was for everybody but it really was a chamber of self-reflection in which the only path to progressing creatively was to take a long hard look at the version of myself that existed when the world stopped turning and all the hustle and bustle of everyday life halted with lockdown.
What is the one word you would use to sum up the album?
Cathartic
You’ve got some live shows lined up later on in the year. How do you think you are going to feel going back on stage?
I’m super excited & pray we are in a much safer position in regard to Covid so that the shows will be as sweaty and groovy as gigs gone past
What is the one fashion item that you would use to describe yourself
A detangler, inside and out I’m a ball of fluff and Tangela from PokemoniIs definitely my spirit animal.
You can catch Dylan performing live at the following dates and venue:
27 October – Georgian Theatre, Stockton
2 November – YES, Manchester
3 November – Waiting Room, London
4 November – Sugarmill, Stoke
