“Corporate labels and radio stations are pretty much killing creativity and taking over. Everything sounds the same. It almost feels like fraud. Corporations have completely monopolized the music industry, and made it nearly impossible for indies to get any sort of consistent radio airplay, or recognition unless you sell your soul and your first-born child.” – @Dustinn1
Episode #284 : A.V.A Live Radio Behind The Music with Jacqueline Jax : http://www.blogtalkradio.com/avaliveradio/2015/12/23/episode-284-ava-live-radio-behind-the-music-with-jacqueline-jax
GETTING TO KNOW DUSTINN LOWRY
by Jacqueline Jax host of A.V.A Live Radio
Dustinn Lowry (AKA DLow)
Music business…
I think the music industry is total shit right now. Corporate labels and radio stations are pretty much killing creativity and taking over. Everything sounds the same. It almost feels like fraud. Corporations have completely monopolized the music industry, and made it nearly impossible for indies to get any sort of consistent radio airplay, or recognition unless you sell your soul and your first-born child. Oh, and if you have a couple million dollars just laying around you might be able to buy your way in. I think it’s important for real music fans to understand that if they don’t support indies the days of hearing fresh new music will totally die. Some of the songs are good and some of the singers are talented in the mainstream world, but more and more we’re finding that the singers can’t sing and the songs are just last year’s hit recycled in a different key, with a different singer.
A lot of these so-called artists are just puppets on strings and they don’t have a choice. What they don’t realize is once they signed that contract all creative control is gone and given to some corporate dudes that only care about the short-run. How much money can be made immediately? That’s why I love the indie music scene because real creativity still exists. You can do what you want and write what you want, and keep it new and appealing for the fans. And, that’s how I overcome the hurdles of the business, I stay honest and do my best to write something new you’ve never heard before.
Social media…
I really love social media because it keeps everyone current with a click of the button. It’s made it easier than ever to see, hear and interact with your favorite artists. It is hard to keep up though, and it’s hard to stay on top of it. I’m not really a video or picture person so it’s a challenge for me to stay documented out there, but I’m getting better at it.
Singles vs an album…
People don’t buy albums anymore. They don’t feel the need to because technology has given them a better option to just buy, or stream the song they just heard on the radio. This is why I release singles. It’s really a singles market now. Singles drive anticipation for the next one. If I write a song that isn’t single worthy I’m probably not going to choose to release it, so from a marketing standpoint, we structure everything around the strength of a single song. We write a song. We release the song. If it goes over well with the fans we write another song that is better to follow it up. We are constantly trying to write the best song possible.
I started singing in church…
with my parents on the church worship team, in Pleasant Hill Missouri. Then at eleven years old I found my sister’s Stryper cassette, and I it all started there.
Callin’ You Wasted…
and it’s the first single off my debut EP. I think it’s pretty clear that it’s about, well sex, or a booty-call to be more specific. This song was written about the night-life, and while it may be last call, for me I’m usually just getting started. So if you’re a socialite night-owl like myself you’re constantly surrounded by people and always on the go, but you’re not always fulfilled. So that’s when you call up your favorite flavor, girl or guy, or whatever it is you’re into. I think we all have that favorite go-to hookup that keeps it fun and helps kill a little bit of loneliness too. So I wrote this song about a lifestyle, which is a lifestyle that I think we can all relate to. For example, while cutting vocals for this song I was drinking some whiskey and setting up my night through text, making the vocal booth my own personal bar. By the end of the session it smelled like a booze fest, but whiskey always helps my vocals while texting helps set up that late night call.
I’m really trying to create a new sound that is both familiar and fresh…
From this EP you can expect catchy and unforgettable hooks, honest lyrics, and high-quality mainstream sounding music you’re not going to hear on commercial radio. When someone hears this song I want them to immediately be pulled in by the hook and not be distracted by an unnecessary amount of lyrics or production noise. From the first melody I want you to be able to sing along and have the song stuck on repeat in your head. My goal is to accomplish everything I possibly can, mostly establish a career in music that I can have for a very long time. But I’d be lying if I said that money and fame aren’t bad-ass too.
This is why marketing is a very important aspect to this project. We’re not going to fast, or too slow, or putting money where it doesn’t need to be. We intend to establish a solid following from the ground up, kind of doing it local, regional, then national. We know the song is crucial in establishing a fan base, and we are seasoned songwriters, but image and lifestyle are just as much a part of selling a bad-ass brand.
I live in Nashville, TN…
The music scene here is pretty awesome, and thriving. The amount of talent in this city is sickening. It’s a common misunderstanding that Nashville is all country, but you actually hear very little country music here unless you’re hanging out on lower-broad. Nashville’s Rock scene is better than most cities I’ve toured through in the last few years. I tend to keep my night-crawling to the east-side, since my favorite bars are there, and I love the culture. Of course, if you’re drinking there are my three favorite stops, 3-Crow Bar, The Crying Wolf, and 308 Bar. Always a great time. Or, if you are more low-key you’ve always got Barista Parlor and Ugly Mugs. Also, Mid-town Nashville, is a great place too, because it has my very first home-base bar Blue-Bar & Rack Room, which has a lot of great live music. When I’m not playing music or out with the guys, I like to hang at the house and play Battlefield. It’s the only game I play on a console because it’s the greatest game in the world. Other than that, I collect antiques and oddities on the macabre side, but don’t get me started.
I would love to have 5 minutes alone with…
or infinity minutes, alone with Charlize Theron, because I want to make her fall in love with me. I’m not sure that Charlize inspires me musically, but she definitely inspires me in other creative areas. Because she is that damn beautiful.
I think it’s important to stay current…
and appealing to the fans and industry, but you have to do it in a way that is legit. For example, not everything I write would appeal to the average music fan, even though it’s legit to me. That would be where I try to balance what I am in to musically and what I think listeners will dig too.
I am most afraid of…
Spiders and open water terrify me equally. Spiders are simply scary and it’s not the water it’s what’s in the water that’s terrifying.
My personal definition of success is…
Achieving goals that I set for myself, and then achieving even higher goals that I’ve set for myself is my definition of success. The first time I toured overseas is a success that really sticks out to me. The hundreds of times I’ve played shows in the states were all great in their own way, but you could drive to each city, but taking a plane to a show in Germany gives you a greater sense of accomplishment. The fact that there are people that are paying to see you perform that may not even be able to speak your language gives you a high like no other. Especially when hard work and consistency are the reasons I was able to achieve this goal. There has never been another option form me but music, I have a plan A, no plan B, so the only way is up.
My overall goal for my life & career is…
I want a string of number one songs, and sold out tours. In my personal life I would like to be a little more than comfortable financially so that I can spoil my girl when I finally meet her, take care of my family and raise my children to know God.
3 Ways that I challenge myself…
1) I’m always trying to write a better song than my last one. My hope is that bigger and better songs will open bigger and better doors.
2) I try to party smarter and exercise more, or at least some, so that I can achieve my goal of being an extra in the next 300 movie.
3) To stand tall at a stout five-feet eight inches, respect all, but take no shit, and to love my God and my family to no end. This will allow me to stay grounded and real.
Bio:
Dustinn Lowry’s debut EP single “Callin’ You Wasted” showcases a captivating sound that is inviting and infectious. From the opening notes of “Callin’ You Wasted,” the listener gets sucked into irresistible guitar hooks and anthem-like melody that appeals to the modern ear. Lowry’s music is fresh and familiar, featuring a new sound and style that aims to blend some of the best stylistic elements of popular styles, and streamline them into what he calls RIPcountry.™ Influenced by bands like Striper, Def Leopard, Green Day, Third Eye Blind, and Garth Brooks, Lowry’s music is memorable with a relatable story to tell.