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Dylan Cartlidge
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Dylan Cartlidge
Saved Me the only way I could describe it is that when I walked up to the microphone it literally felt as though, like, I don't know, I was, I was there and I was completely naked and everybody was like, oh my God, this guy. You know, it was so like, it's so earth shatteringly nervous, you know?
Lynne Hoffman
I'm Lynne Hoffman and welcome to another inspiring episode of the Music Saved Me podcast where we explore the transformative power of music and its ability to heal, uplift and connect us all. Now, if you like this podcast, please share with your friends and make sure you follow us and subscribe so you never miss an episode. And boy, are you lucky. Today we are thrilled to have with us the incredibly talented and dare I say, absolutely adorable Dylan Cartledge, a rising story in the music world on Glass Note Records, whose unique sound and powerful storytelling and the biggest smile you can hear it when he sings are making waves in the music industry. Hailing from Red Car, which is a small town in the northeast of England, Dylan's story is one of hope above adversity for sure, which is the title of his debut album from 2021 and his newest single, which is so catchy. I dare you not to listen once and you will never forget the song. It's called New Day, a wonderful song of hope and redemption. Welcome Dylan Cartlidge to Music Save Me. It's so great to have you.
Dylan Cartlidge
Oh my God, I don't think I've ever had a better intro. Thank you so, so, so much. I really appreciate that.
Lynne Hoffman
Well, you're welcome and thank you for being here. Can you start by telling our listeners about your early experiences with music and how. How it originally became a source of healing for you growing up in red car?
Dylan Cartlidge
100%. So, you know, I guess, you know, my musical kind of journey, you know, is impacted very much by my life experience. You know, it kind of like goes hand in hand. So I first started out like ra happened when I was like, you know, 13, 14. But it really came from, like, I had a very, very like, traumatic upbringing. I was in and out of foster care. You know, I had lots of things going on at home, you know, and I was really faced with a decision, you know, it's probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make, which was kind of moving away from my town, my hometown, everything that I've ever known at the age of, you know, 14, 15, and starting a brand new life with a foster family, or, you know, staying in everything that I knew at the time, which was trauma, you know, addiction, struggle, these kind. And although it was a really, really difficult decision, I made the decision to move away and to really begin. Yeah, begin again and to start again. And it was really, really difficult. When I first came to Red Car, it was. It was like. It was almost. It was beautiful but terrifying at the same time because it was sort of like, yeah, just a totally clean slate. But there was lots of people that I care dearly about that had to kind of leave behind in a way or not be as, you know, locationally close to. And, yeah, a lot of healing to be done. And so that really was a process of going from living in a kind of inter. Circumstance where, you know, my school Percentage was like 13, to like living in a very rural coastal area where I was the only black kid in a school full of 300 kids. And I went to school 99 of the time and began this musical journey. I started, you know, kind of burning CDs at that time. I was writing albums. You know, I'll go in between the lessons with a, you know, a piece of paper on, like the break, you know, in between the classes and be like, hey guys, I've written these lyrics. Can you read these and get back to me? You know, and I was doing the school talent shows and stuff like that. But yeah, that's really where. Where it kind of began for me is really that. That transition, which is the biggest point in, at that time, which was to kind of, you know, to start that process of healing and really begin to begin my Life, really.
Lynne Hoffman
Now, you had mentioned you grew up in the foster care system, and then you were adopted by a family. You said somewhere, I think I saw on this beautiful documentary piece that you wrote songs to speak to your brothers because you couldn't do it verbally, so it was easier for you to explain or express your feelings. Can you talk a little bit about that?
Dylan Cartlidge
Yeah, 100%. So the hardest thing about moving away is that, you know, I had a. I have a younger brother, but at the time when I moved away, my younger brother was. Was 8 years old. And, you know, to kind of paint a picture for the listeners, it was kind of like, you know, I was really struggling, and there was times where it was me and, you know, in a house of no electricity with a newborn baby in my arms, you know, trying to find a way through, you know, and no matter how bad things had gotten or regardless of what I've been through, like, when my brother was born, like, that was a ray of hope. That was like, this is something pure and innocent that needs to be protected, and I can't allow what's happened to me so far to happen to my brother, you know, and so I took this real responsibility, this real sort of like, you know, I guess, parental type of role, or that was a kid myself, you know, it was like being 8 years old to kind of make sure that that didn't happen to my brother. And I did everything that I can. But the biggest factor of moving away was to. To have to leave my brother, you know, with. With an uncertain life himself, because it was only myself that was able to move away and to this adoption. And that was the most gut wrenching, heartbreaking experience. But I really told myself that if I could move away and make something better in myself, that ultimately being a role model for my brother and showing him that we can escape the circumstances and, you know, and kind of like, make something better of our lives would be a better thing than to. To sacrifice any opportunity I might be given just to stay, you know, in the same situation as my brother. So a big part of my early songwriting was kind of making sense of that and trying to, yeah, make songs really. To speak to my brother, to speak to family members, to other children like us, you know, other children that would face you crazy adversity, trauma, addiction, and kids you don't hear from. It was really to, you know, to give a voice to the voiceless and.
Lynne Hoffman
Lead by example as a big brother, which is. Is very powerful too. But you're doing it with music is just it's like an extra level of example, which is pretty amazing. You've described your sound besides creating new musical genres, which I don't even know if you. You understood that you were doing at the time. But you're. You're describe sound as hope above adversity. What does hope above adversity mean to you and how does it reflect in your music?
Dylan Cartlidge
I think, you know, I think hope of adversity and kind of like the style of music that I make and the vibe that I hope to get across in my songs. I really. I'm a big believer in kind of music encapsulated more than just what's on an MP3. Like, I absolutely love, whenever I work with people, big people, small people, whatever it is, you know, I might just collaborate with somebody I just met the other day. Like, you know, there was a time when I got a cab one time and I ended up working with the cab driver and he was taking photos and whatever it is. And I feel like it's genuinely like, I am that guy. Like, I will talk to anybody anytime. And they're like, let's try something. I'm gay, man. I'm just like, I'm a very people person. And I really see those moments as being like snapshots. So it doesn't matter whether you're working in, you know, Electric lady or Ivy Road, with biggest studios in the world, smaller shoes in your bedroom, it doesn't matter. Like, I always see, you know, collaboration and also just making music as like a timestamp, a little, you know, frozen piece of time of where that person might be or where those people might be at that time. Yeah. And I. And I really get a real catharticism from making music, and I very much blend that in. So I try my best to think about, you know, I guess the landscape at the time and how I'm feeling in myself emotionally, but also in a broader context of all the music that's come before me. You know, solo artists like, you know, Rifa Franklin, Nina Simone, as Funko artists like Stevie Wonder, you know, just people who have laid the foundations for great musicians and has given us such a rich variety of history to delve into. Like, to be able to draw on that, but also put it in the context of, like, you know, I guess the way that, you know, to Quentin Tarantino, like, I'm a big movie buff and I feel like the way in which he talks about movies and talks about his influences in the old LA cinemas and how he wanted to kind of do his own thing with that and kind of like, you know, take what had gone before him, but kind of spin it in a new way. Like, I love, like, I feel to do that in the context of the musicians that have come. Come before me, but with my own story and my own kind of emotional kind of regulation. But, yeah, in the context of, like, how I feel today in the world I live in, you know.
Lynne Hoffman
Well, you know, you mentioned a few names there, pretty big names. Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder. I'm just curious, when you would have a mom maybe that you weren't quite as happy or you were feeling down. What music did you listen to to help you to get out of that mood?
Dylan Cartlidge
Yeah, I think, definitely. I think that. I think that would be that vibe. I think definitely Kid Cudi was a massive artist for me. Like, Nina Simone too. Like, artists like that, even, like, you know, Louis Armstrong. And what I would find is that, like, you know, when I was feeling. When I was not feeling great, everybody knows that when you're not. Not feeling so good, I actually try my best to sort of like, sit with that feeling and embrace that and try to learn something from it. And I feel like even like, you know, there's been times throughout history or, you know, with artists where there's been, you know, horrific challenges that been. They've been facing. Nina Simone being a, you know, quintessential kind of point in case there. And just the way in which. Where she would encapsulate, you know, not. Not necessarily look away from those feelings or, you know, the hardship that she was facing at the time, but actually would, you know, express it in a way that felt kind of timeless, you know, and almost gave a blueprint for people to listen to and. And to kind of take. Take some solace in.
Lynne Hoffman
You know, you are an old soul.
Dylan Cartlidge
I kind of am you.
Lynne Hoffman
And. And so when were you first introduced to some of these amazing artists that came long before you?
Dylan Cartlidge
I kind of think it was, you know, very much like, in a mad way, my introduction was to music was a bit of a strange one because I grew up in a household that was very chaotic and I would just find like, ra. Like, I don't know, there was a point in time where, you know, me, you know, my biological mum, were living in like a kind of a rave house. Like, it was a state, you know, it's kind of a State House type thing. And there was like a house DJ and there's just tapes of like, random trance stuff and weird 80s and 90s sort of, you know, British Pop bands like, you know, just lying around. And I would just listen to this stuff and, you know, figure it out. But I think I've always been drawn to that stuff. I think the second that I would, you know, listen to a, you know, particular radio station or, you know, somebody would play. I always remember one of the funniest things ever, I ever to remember is I remember going to my. One of my older brothers from my, you know, adoptive family. I went to one of his wedding, and I never forget the first time that I heard It's Tricky by Rundy mc. I must have. I must have been about six years old, right? And I was. I was allowed to go to the party. My brother, you know, I was his wedding. And so one of my older brothers, like, okay, we're gonna look after you and you can stay till late. So I was like, get in no bedtime today. And then that song I just requested over and over again and was dancing and dancing and dancing. So just anything that. I've always been drawn to that kind of stuff, you know, where it's. People just playing it. Have you heard this? I've always been drawn to that kind of more old soul stuff. You know, a lot of the. And soul stuff. A big Frankie Valli fan, too.
Lynne Hoffman
Wow. Run DMC to Frankie Valli. That's amazing. That. That truly is amazing. You. You really, you know your stuff and it's all just up. Such uplifting stuff. Run DMC was a huge band for me too. So I totally. I can hear that song right now.
Dylan Cartlidge
It's Doo Doo.
Lynne Hoffman
And then just that little.
Dylan Cartlidge
Yes, that's.
Lynne Hoffman
That's dm. Believe it or not. Between us. On a side note, I'm dear old friends with Daryl, Daryl Mack. And I bet it would just make him so thrilled to know that he influenced you. And you're coming up through the ranks. Can you share a specific moment or an experience where music saved or helped you through a difficult time?
Dylan Cartlidge
I definitely think, I would say at the time when I did have to kind of leave my hometown and really leave everything behind, I would say that for me, that's a big part of my kind of life. And I would say that would definitely be one of the moments where it was sort of like there was so much going on. I was facing such hardship at such a young age. And I just really remember listening to Kid Cudi, who was an artist who. I been into rap heavily, starting out as a rapper myself, and listening to even people like Common or Lupe Fiasco or rappers that were maybe off the beaten track and kind of did some kind of more conscious hip hop. But Kid Cudi was the first rapper. Rapper I heard that kind of was like rapping about depression or mental illness or, you know, all these types of things. And I was the first time where it felt to me like, you know, it was kind of safe to just like, oh, you know, it isn't just Jay Z that I'm looking at or Kanye west and these people who are kind of like, you know, they are having a great time, they're in the club, you know, you know, whatever it might be, which is great, and it's something to aspire to. But then there's also this guy that has all of that seemingly, but is also, you know, talking about how low he is and, you know, and how he's feeling and in, you know, in some dark topics, you know. And I think that that really, for me, is when I felt really music touched me. Like, really, really touched me. It really made me feel in those moments that I wasn't just observing somebody having a great time or observing an artist living their best life, but I was actually getting an insight into who that artist was as a person. And it made me really discover myself too, you know.
Lynne Hoffman
How important is it to you to reach people with your music?
Dylan Cartlidge
I think as much as I. I hope to, obviously that's something that's outside of my control. But I definitely would love, like, my wish, you know, for my music is, you know, if I have any sort of bearing on that is to be able to offer something that is kind of musically astute, hopefully, that you can listen to, you can groove to, you can dance to without, you know, or get something from. Without necessarily having to be a music buff or like, you know, something like that. You could just. Anybody could listen to it, you know, and get something from it and be like, yo, that's really cool. But also, if you have. Have, you know, something else going on or you're really going for a tough time or you're just not in a great place, that you can also get something from it too, you know, but it's not necessarily exclusive to that. So my hope would be to. To offer something that like I say, sort of stands up in its own kind of musicality and has something interesting to offer to music. I mean, as crazy grandiose as that sounds, like, in whatever capacity, but also, you know, has something to offer the soul, you know, if. If you need that.
Lynne Hoffman
If you need that. Well, how. How does it make you feel when you witness someone who has experienced that joy from your music?
Dylan Cartlidge
I think it's a really humbling experience for me. I think that is more important than anything else. Like if somebody shows, oh my God, Dil, you know, this song just did this many streams. Oh my God, look at the analytics on this. Or, you know, this just did this, like that stuff is great. Or, you know, if he's an award for this, like, whatever, that stuff is great. But I really feel like the one message or the one DM I get from people like, oh my God, listen, I've just been going through a really tough time and I heard this song and I can't even like begin to tell you how that's connected with me or how it's made me feel, because I feel like I can relate to that. I've been in. Been in that dark place, you know, and I've been. Yeah. And really that has been my whole kind of mission with my music and what I'm doing is to be able to give back what music has given me, you know, so that's how I respond to that.
Lynne Hoffman
That's such a beautiful sentiment. And you are just, you are just so uplifting in person, let alone all of your music. What role does live performance play in your musical journey? And how does it differ from the studio experience, you know, in terms of healing and connection with your fans and with people?
Dylan Cartlidge
You know what, this is a really interesting question because I think as much as I can kind of like, you know, philosophize about, you know, the kind of inner workings of my, you know, sort of, you know, ethical or like moral dilemmas of my music or, you know, my artistic vision or, you know, whatever it might be, the catharsis of making music or, you know, releasing music. Actually it's quite funny because when I actually began, you know, doing a live show for the first time, you know, just before my first album, it. I actually found that I was like terribly, terribly like, like absolutely nerve shatteringly terrified of being on stage. Like so, so bad because not so, not so much even performing, but actually like I feel like almost like, you know, putting this in my music and putting that out there and sort of, you know, putting it up on, you know, on a DSP or kind of, you know, put it up for people to listen to on streaming services or whatever it is. Like there's something safe about that, but you don' have that same safety when you're in a crowd of people, you know what I mean? Even now, you know, talking, talking to you here through the screen and Being able to, you know, say that is one thing, but you know, to be able to connect with people in the room and do that is something that I didn't even realize that I was, I was so, I was so, so terribly scared of. It actually felt like. The only way I could describe it is that when I walked up to the microphone it literally felt as though, like, I don't know, I was, I was there and I was completely naked and everybody was like, oh my God, this guy. You know, it was so, like, it was so earth shatteringly nervous, you know, But I kind of. But yeah, I really began to kind of lean into that. I had a. You. It took me a little while to get there and it took me a while to really feel like I could have a live show that not only bought something to like the live scene offered something, you know, unique experience for somebody who's coming down and getting tickets, but also I feel comfortable really me as a person, like sharing my experiences, people on stage, you know, And I think a part of that began sort of like being less scripted and like, oh, you know, this is song one and welcome people, you know, but actually just being me, telling jokes, being stupid, like just connecting with people and being myself, you know? You know?
Lynne Hoffman
Yes, definitely. I didn't really think about it, but yeah, I mean, you're so intensive in the studio working with other artists or yourself and then you hit this stage and there's thousands of people in front of you. It must be such a juxtaposition, I guess, for someone like you to do that for the first time. But now how are you feeling about it when you get on stage in front of people?
Dylan Cartlidge
Definitely. I'm hoping with this second album I can definitely get to the thousand stage. Thousand stage. Not quite there yet, but I'm really excited to get there and I do feel as though like. Yeah, it's something that I think now that I've done a little bit of. I think particularly with this, you know, this next record and this new music, I think that it's been a learning experience for me as opposed to just kind of saying like, hey guys, you can do this. Hey, you know, there's this, you know, there's the grass is greener, things can be brighter, you can get through these moments. But actually now that I'm sort of somewhat there or I've, you know, kind of come from the circumstances that I come from that I'm here, like, what do I do now? You know, and what does life look like today? Who am I today? In the context of, like, you know, running away from my experiences and building this new life, essentially.
Lynne Hoffman
Who.
Dylan Cartlidge
When the spotlight is on, like, you know, what do I have to say? What. What do I have to offer? And I really think that, you know, that's something that I've really become comfortable with and found a way to express.
Lynne Hoffman
You certainly have. The single, the newest is called New Day. And the first thing I thought of when I heard the song, I had to listen to it, like, five times because it was so cool. And my husband came and I said.
Dylan Cartlidge
You got to hear this.
Lynne Hoffman
It's so good. And, you know, that doesn't happen all the time. Just for real. You have to know that that's just a very special thing. But to have that ability and to do that is amazing. And I hope that you have many, many more years of continued success with everything you're doing in your life. And you have to call one of the big morning shows and tell them they need to use this song, New Day, as the opener to their morning shows, because it's just the happiest song I think I've ever heard in my life. And I've heard a lot of music because I'm old.
Dylan Cartlidge
I don't believe that for one second. We're only as old as you feel, girl. And how much energy you put it into this, I'm not buying that for a second, but thank you. Maybe we can. Yeah, maybe. This is something that's going to increase global, global production. We're going on every morning show. It's going to be made mandatory. You have to listen to New Day with you getting up to work a construction job at 4am you can listen to this song and everybody's going to feel a little bit better.
Lynne Hoffman
And the smile on your face, I can hear it and I can hear it now. And if you're listening and if you want to know, he's got the biggest smile, and you don't even have to see his face to hear it in his music. Dylan, thank you so much for sharing your story and best wishes to you in the future. And I really do hope you come back and share more amazing success stories with us for yourself and for all of your fans who get to hear your wonderful music. Thank you.
Dylan Cartlidge
Thank you so much, Lynne, to you and your listeners, it's been an absolute pleasure not only to be a part of this, but also also to meet a fellow Run DMC nuts. Take care.
Lynne Hoffman
Oh, my gosh. We have to talk after this because I have to introduce you, please.
Dylan Cartlidge
Yeah.
Lynne Hoffman
He has to know you if he doesn't already by now. Thanks so much for coming on. Music saved me.
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Dylan Cartlidge
Hear ye, hear ye.
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Dylan Cartlidge
The Sultan of Sourdough, the Lord of the loads. Prime member Dave yeah, hi.
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Dylan Cartlidge
This is an iHeart podcast.
Host: Lynne Hoffman (for "Music Saved Me" segment, presented as part of takin’ a walk)
Guest: Dylan Cartlidge
Release Date: September 17, 2025
Length (excluding ads): ~20 minutes
This episode dives into the transformative and healing power of music through the journey of Dylan Cartlidge, a rising musician known for his hope-filled storytelling and genre-bending sound. Hosted by Lynne Hoffman, the conversation uncovers Dylan's challenging upbringing, the role of music in his healing, and how he now gives back through his art, inspiring others facing adversity.
Timestamps: [05:05]–[09:12]
Timestamps: [07:13]–[09:11]
Timestamps: [09:12]–[11:31]
Timestamps: [11:31]–[15:03]
Timestamps: [15:03]–[16:31]
Timestamps: [16:31]–[18:23]
Timestamps: [18:23]–[21:53]
Timestamps: [21:53]–[23:04]
On Music as Healing:
“That transition…was to kind of…start that process of healing and really begin to begin my life, really.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [06:45]
On Writing to His Brother:
“It was really to…give a voice to the voiceless.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [08:53]
On Musical Collaboration:
“I always see…collaboration and also just making music as like a timestamp, a little…frozen piece of time of where that person might be or where those people might be at that time.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [10:14]
On Finding Hope in Musical Influence:
“I would find is that…when I was not feeling great…I actually try my best to…sit with that feeling and embrace that and try to learn something from it.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [11:50]
On Music’s Saving Power:
“I was actually getting an insight into who that artist was as a person. And it made me really discover myself too.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [16:13]
On Impacting Fans:
“The one message or the one DM…‘I’ve just been going through a really tough time and I heard this song and…I can relate to that, I’ve been in that dark place’…that has been my whole…mission.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [17:45]
Live Show Nerves:
“When I walked up to the microphone it literally felt as though…I was completely naked and everybody was like, oh my God, this guy…so earth shatteringly nervous.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [18:56]
On “New Day” and Spreading Joy:
“You have to listen to ‘New Day’ with you getting up to work a construction job at 4am – everybody’s going to feel a little bit better.”
– Dylan Cartlidge [22:54]
The episode is earnest, deeply personal, and brimming with Dylan’s signature optimism and warmth, balanced by candid reflections on adversity. The conversation is down-to-earth and hopeful, encouraging listeners to find healing and connection through music, just as Dylan has.
Through openness about his own story, Dylan Cartlidge embodies “hope above adversity” in both his musical style and his life. Whether describing the anxiety of first stepping onto a stage or the power of a DM from a fan in need, Dylan emphasizes the importance of authentic connection and giving back through music. The episode is a testament to music’s transformative, restorative magic—and introduces “New Day” as a new anthem of positivity.