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Image via Dutchboy
Daily Discovery is a feature that highlights a new or recently discovered artist who we’re excited about. See the rest of our Daily Discoveries here.
It seems like the autotune-crooner lane is especially crowded of late, but potentially prodigious talents always find a way to fight through all the noise. Singer-producer Dutchboy—born Ishmail Wells and fast approaching 20—lived in Austin and Fort Lauderdale before settling in New Jersey, diving into the world of beat creation at 12 years old. He’s bringing a novel twist to a familiar sound.
Much of his persona remains in the dark. His musical experiments trace back seven years, yet his SoundCloud only stretches as far as this past February. Save for a Complex premiere and close ties to the likes of Jon Waltz and, in recent months, Tunji Ige, his early success is owed to organically amassed streams. With a buzz brewing from notable melodics, the teenage artist’s focus is now placed on proper moves and self-improvement.
Today, we’re happy to premiere his latest single, “Sideways,” along with an introductory interview. The song’s opening shines like sun rays marking a cave’s exit, much like the initial moments of The Weeknd’s Thursday cut, “The Birds Part 1.” His lyrics, though unshakably catchy, don’t reflect that brightness. Dutch mourns a past relationship, lost in his thoughts as he attempts to adjust to post-love life.
Armed with a penchant for production that rivals, or perhaps outmatches, his vocal abilities, Dutch’s toolbox is more stacked than that of most competitors. His latest single puts these tools to work. Listen to “Sideways” and learn more about the promising upstart below.
How did life in Piscataway, NJ influence your sound and outlook?
Piscataway is like a very diverse suburb surrounded by all types of communities. But there really isn’t much going on, unless you’re like a football player because our town won hella state championships and all that. So with that boredom growing up I just ventured into the virtual world of the Internet at an early age and discovered how to make music by myself. That cured the boredom, really. Since I was making music by myself, I didn’t care how stupid I sounded. I ventured into so many different sounds and vibes at first but over the years I just kinda stuck with one voice in my head.
When did you learn how to produce? How would you compare that to your vocal work?
I started producing when I was around 12. I was completely obsessed with Fruity Loops and I would just watch videos on YouTube of people remaking Lil Wayne beats. I was like, “Yo, this is possible?” So I was instantly fascinated and got sucked into it . I downloaded like the oldest FL studio on this Windows 98 computer my dad had and every open moment of the day I would spend on just trying to remake a beat to a hot song that was out.
Remaking those beats over time taught me about beat counts and bars and melodies so it made me better by practicing. I would say my production is cool, I mostly end up not rapping on a lot of beats I make just because if the idea doesn’t hit me while I’m making it then it probably won’t hit me at all. But I think my beats are just as versatile as my vocals so if I’m rapping over something I produced, it was tailored perfectly
What was the process like behind “Sideways”? What inspired that record?
“Sideways” is something grand to me. The greatest music comes from heartbreak. I just feel like all the classics our parents love, all those songs came from love and heartbreak. And I feel like this joint is my own version of Prince’s “How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore” or at least something with the same sentiment. [Laughs]
The song was inspired by a relationship I got out of and how life really started going afterwards. I just want to be completely honest with emotions when it comes to my music because I know when people are in that space, they look to music as comfort. Sort of like, “I’m not the only one that feels like this.” I wanted this to be a joint someone could play not only if they’re trippin’ over someone but when they’re just in that type of mood for no reason and need something to relate to.
What part of music brings you the most joy—crafting the right hook, seeing feedback, recording?
Ah man, music is joy. I think what brings me the most joy is when I’m in a room with just my friends and we’re creating something that was never there before.But I would say my favorite part of the process is seeing reactions, whether it be me freestyling in a cypher and seeing people’s facial expressions, SoundCloud likes and comments, mentions, or real life people coming up to me and taking the time out of their day to give me props. Crowd participation at a show, too. I think reactions to the music are amazing just because it’s evidence that you made a change somewhere in someone’s mood, thought process or just overall day.
You used Brockhampton’s art director HK for the “Molten” artwork. What do you dream of achieving when it comes to the visual tip?
HK is a god. Forreal though, the guy is super duper talented. I used to do all my own artwork for my earlier stuff so to be able to work with people that are super dope that I’m actually a fan of is amazing.
One person that’s been hands on with my art direction is Glassface. He did the “Sideways” art and some other things I got on the way. I truly want covers for the music to be art themselves and not just the title of the song and like a bad bitch and some bottles. It should capture you and make you create your own atmosphere out of the song and art itself. And working with him definitely helps me accomplish that goal.
Do you have any work with other artists coming up that you can touch on? Anything you’re excited about?
I was just in the studio with IshDARR last night, We got some heat in the chamber for people. He’s dope as hell, can’t wait for listeners to hear what we got coming up. But other than that I’ve more so been extremely focused on this project that I’m putting together, and I’m really really really excited for that.
What external content, be it a movie or book or whatever, has inspired you this year?
Well, Future is the greatest artist to ever do it. And I don’t know if I’ve been really inspired by Dragonball Z, but I just try to treat life like I’m Goku. For anyone who understands that reference shout out to you. I just work all day honing my craft as everyone should.
Would you say you’re a naturally dark, or kind of inverted, thinker?
I would think everyone’s thoughts can get dark; I just thrive off that space and try to throw that into the art because art evokes emotion. I like to sit in my mind and see where it takes me creatively.
Are you aiming to release a cohesive body of work, or are you just focused on singles right now? How do you see your current work compared to the White Lighters EP?
I’m putting a lot of effort into this next project. I just want to give people glimpses of what I can really do with these singles but the project, you’re gonna know who Dutchboy really is, feel me? My last EP, White Lighters, was more a collaborative effort with my close friends Just Mill$ and Gordi Combs. It was more focused on sonics but this next project I’m more focused on my story as an artist.
And where does this story lead? What made 2015 feel like the right time to really emerge from the dark?
It’s something in the air, this year I feel that everyone in life has been delivering. And why shouldn’t I deliver? I’m hungry to put out great product and I know that the audience is waiting for something new. I’m coming out of the dark but I’m bringing some of the dark with me.
