Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Kent Dustin
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My Pa (Grandfather) used to play lots of instruments like Piano Accordian, organ at church & harmonica. My siblings also used to play an instrument each as an extra curricular hobby around school subjects.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I used to really love playing by ear at the piano and trying copy songs I liked. I only started to really make my own original near the end of high school but more at University when I studied music.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I’m always working on new music but recently I’ve been trying to write exactly what I’m thinking about most and feeling. Stop Time is about the feelings of struggling with the fact that when I was younger, I wished time away to be an adult and have a car and earn my own money to get freedom but now as an adult, you have the weight of responsibilities, bills, and emotional baggage of all the lessons you’ve had to learn to get to here. This makes you miss the time you wished away.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Pop/Rock and folk with the underlaying DNA of Country music that I was raised on.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
It’s easier to edit bad lyrics than no lyrics. Get what you want to say down on paper and then edit it. Don’t try to write your final product first time.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I often use guitar or piano but most often start with lyrics. I jot my lyrics down on my notes app on my phone and if a melody comes to me from that, I will record it using the voice memos app just to make sure I remember it. Then take that to the computer/studio when I can and make the actual demo using Logic Pro X.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Gregory Alan Isakov – The Stable Song is up there with my favourites.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I used to try and write to make something really pop sounding but none of those songs went platinum so I now try to focus more on just writing something authentic and if it resonates with people, happy days, if it doesn’t, at least I still love it and it means a lot to me.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
Deep down, I like to shed light on little moments that, in the time, feel like the biggest thing. Meeting people in that moment helps them to not feel alone in feeling it.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
It’s the most universal language in the world. No matter what language you speak, people all feel emotionally moved by music. It’s a huge connector and I love that. The lesson is we aren’t all that different in the end of the day.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Coachella, The Grand Ol Opry, Suncorp Stadium. Theres lots on the goal list.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Dermont Kennedy has a way of delivering his heartfelt lyrics that just hit different, Ed Sheeran has a way of making songs feel really catchy and familiar while still being unique, Michael Jackson was crazy good with making songs make you want to move and groove and people like Charlie Puth are just so creative with their production… It’s hard to pick one person when there’s so many different things I appreciate different people for.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
@kentdustinmusic on all socials
Kent Dustin on Spotify and Apple Music etc.
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I want to make and perform my own music successfully enough to have it be my full time job. That’s the dream.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I’m highly empathetic, a little dorky with my love of puns and that kind of sense of humour but I have so much desire to make everyone feel important and seen in whatever season they’re in. If they have something to celebrate, a love that finally feels real after experiencing heartbreak in the past, whatever season they’re in in life, I hope they can find a song of mine that soundtracks that.
