From The Road: Dayglow

 

☆ BY SAHAR GHADIRIAN ☆

 
 

LEANING INTO PURE LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCES,  — Dayglow’s shows feel like a bundle of joy, safe yet full of excitement. They are like opening a door to a sun-drenched, high-energy world that makes you feel young, carefree, and happy — whether his set is on a cloudy day in Leeds, England or a bright one in Austin, Texas.

2022 was a year of highs for Dayglow. With the release of People In Motion and a string of stellar shows from headline dates across America and Europe to fun festival sets, the band dove headfirst and are continuing to rise to the top. Formed by Texas singer-songwriter and producer Sloan Struble six years ago, the founder and lead singer of the indie-pop project has since produced and released three studio records that replicate the same jangly and upbeat pop that fans first fell in love with in his early singles.

With each album, Struble provides a new heartwarming feel and sense of comfort. His ’80s synth style has propelled him to establishing his own record label,  Very Nice Records, a success in its own right. 

We teamed up with RETO to send Dayglow a camera and caught up with Struble from the road to discuss his pre-show rituals, favorite moments on tour, and his hopes and intentions for the next year as Dayglow embarks on more shows across Europe. Read our conversation below.

LUNA: Can you share a favorite memory from your recent live shows? 

STRUBLE: I sold out Stubb's in Austin twice. I've lived in Austin for a while and really look at Stubbs as a rite of passage. So to sell it out twice is pretty tough to comprehend honestly.

LUNA: What's been your favorite track to play live?

STRUBLE: I love playing “Close to You.” We end the set with it and it's just such a celebratory, fun, dance-y moment for everyone.

LUNA: Do you have any pre-show rituals? 

STRUBLE: My band and I will get dressed pretty early and then sit and talk about the show, things we are thankful for, and pray. We try to just center ourselves to the present moment and to each other.

LUNA: Take us through a typical show day. 

STRUBLE: Wake up, coffee, walk around, and hopefully get some sunlight, sign stuff and do press, soundcheck, maybe more press, eat good food… showtime, baby!

LUNA: What's the best part of performing in a live setting?

STRUBLE: I love getting to see a tangible connection between my art and other people. It's so rewarding seeing a bunch of people buy tickets to see what you're all about. It's just such an exciting career in so many ways.

LUNA: How have you seen your live performance evolve over time? 

STRUBLE: I want everything to feel fun and high energy and as musical as possible. I don't necessarily want people moshing, but I do want people to have fun and dance and feel safe. I also don't like to rely on backing tracks as much as I can. I love to make live versions of songs too!

LUNA: What is your favorite story behind a photo from this roll of film? 

STRUBLE: There is a photo of my wife, Reagan, and I on the bus. I remember Norrie, my keyboard player, took the camera and started taking tons of photos (I assume he felt like that was necessary?) and then he came back on the bus and took that photo of us. We love to just sit on the bus and hang out.

LUNA: What intentions do you have for the upcoming months and the new year? 

STRUBLE: More music, more shows!

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Q&A, MusicThe Luna Collectivemusic, Dayglow, from the road