The Bellwether

For Dylan Matthew, everything comes back to storytelling. The Southern California native began harnessing his love of music before he could speak — a love that would eventually push a then-18-year-old Dylan to publish covers and original songs online. Following his 2016 inaugural EP Over You, listeners would see Dylan go from strength to strength. He scored his first Platinum-certified single with the viral acoustic hit “Love Is Gone,” garnered millions of Spotify listeners, over 750k+ feverish TikTok followers, and awed crowds while performing at Coachella, Lollapalooza, and a sold-out headline show at Avalon Hollywood in LA, his proudest moment to date.

Now, Dylan is embracing a new chapter of his history — one that was born amid an intense and tumultuous break-up that forced him to disconnect from the life he knew, look inward, and rebuild his future. “Although my artistic process has stayed the same — weaving vulnerable lyrics with powerful pop-focused sonics — I’m in a much different place than where I was,” explains Dylan, though it required him to confront a kaleidoscope of emotions. The catalyst of that personal journey is Dylan’s new EP, aptly titled no rain, no flowers.

Telling the story of a painful separation marred by betrayal and personal heartache, Dylan built the EP around his own healing journey. “I loved the phrase for years, I had it saved everywhere, and it was always a line that has meant a lot to me,” Dylan explains. “Now, comparing the hardest part of my life — the break-up — and where I am now… With the storm, there would’ve never been growth.”

As an artist who once dreamed of being a psychologist, Dylan approaches songwriting like it’s own form of therapy — one he relied on heavily during his painful break-up. “I’ve been fortunate enough to hear from other people that my music has helped them get through something,” he explains. “Therapy kind of comes in so many different ways and dealing with or facing something head on can be done from music, and luckily I’ve been able to do that as part of my healing journey.”

“Killing Me,” the first part of a chronological story that explores the break-up from beginning to end. Equal parts vulnerable and assured, the track firmly establishes Dylan as an artist with a deft touch that crafts high-powered indie pop-infused music while honoring what he does best — telling his story through universal narratives tied together with introspective and infectious lyricism. Other chapters of his healing process show Dylan at his punchiest sonically, like on “Did You Tell Him About Me?” and “FYTY”. Juxtaposed with those tracks are songs like “Proud of Me” and “Thank God” exhibit Dylan’s commanding lyricism by showing the transformative power of honoring one’s growth and success.

Most importantly, this EP displays Dylan’s ability to channel his own heartbreak into a succinct body of work that makes his personal story into something universal. Fusing together sounds in indie, alternative, pop, and every influence and inspiration in between, no rain, no flowers is primed to fully present Dylan at his best: an artist who, at his core, creates music that helps his listeners find hope.

Moving in a similar ebb and flow, Caleb Hearn’s songs translate like a story recounted to a trusted confidant. The North Carolina-born and Nashville-based singer/songwriter conveys an intimate level of detail upon his music. Lyrics double as snapshots of unfiltered, candid conversations usually never meant to be shared on this scale—yet he shares them.

In the spring of 2023, Caleb Hearn shared his follow-EP 1200 sq ft. Known for penning tender tracks at the narrative crossroads of relationships, missed opportunities, and the lessons to be had from young love, Caleb shifted gears and focuses on his family roots while offering unique subtle blend of folk and indie pop. The 1200 sq ft EP, which features the single “1000 Reasons” showcases his talents as both a singer and songwriter, with each track telling a poignant and personal story. Leading up to the release of his EP, Caleb supported Ron Pope and Lydia Luce on tour.

Along this wild journey and just at 23-years-old, Caleb Hearn continues to evolve both creatively and personally as he looks ahead to his bright future.