For over two decades, South Africa musician Dylan Tori has evolved from a gifted cover artist in Pretoria into a singer-songwriter recognised for his authentic, genre-defying music.
His latest release, ‘Daydreamer’ – a piano-driven power ballad produced by the iconic Mark Beling – encapsulates his journey of hope, creativity, and resilience in a complex world. Featuring his powerful voice and dynamic instrumentation, this track sets the stage for his continued artistic evolution.
In an exclusive interview with EXPRESSION AFRICA, we explore his evolution as an artist, the inspirations behind his music, and his vision for the future.
EXPRESSION AFRICA: You began your musical journey performing covers before embracing your own original creations. What inspired you to transition from being a cover artist to writing your own music?
DYLAN TORI: Performing covers or paying tribute to other artists teaches you a lot about music and different styles, and it is a great way to earn a living while having fun playing music. My inspiration to write and perform my own music is simple: I want to be recognised as a singer-songwriter. I am passionate about the songs I write and really want to play my songs around the world. But most of all, I want to win a Grammy.
‘Daydreamer’ is a deeply personal ballad that touches on themes of hope and creative struggle. Can you share the personal experiences or reflections that led to its creation?
‘Daydreamer’ is me explaining my inner artist trying to make my dreams come true – searching for light, hope and love in a world that is filled with so much craziness.
With over 20 years immersed in the South African music scene, what are some of the most significant lessons you’ve learned about evolving as an artist?
Stay humble; keep learning and listening; and stay true and authentic to yourself and your music. Write music that you like and want to listen to. The song is bigger than you, so whether it is a cover or an original, give the song the respect it deserves. That’s where it all starts.
Your participation in The Voice SA was a turning point in your career. How did that national exposure influence your musical direction and professional growth?
The Voice helped me to be confident as a solo artist and find my identity. The show also opened lots of doors to corporate events and helped grow my fan base.
Songwriting is an intimate form of storytelling. Could you walk us through your process of translating personal emotions and experiences into compelling lyrics and melodies?
For me, it starts with a melody and progression on a guitar. From that, I get an emotion from what the music is telling me, and I paint a story in my mind before putting it down in lyrics – much like how a scriptwriter would.
Your music seamlessly blends various genres and influences. How do you balance experimenting with new sounds while preserving the unique essence of your style?
I guess it is about being open to new ideas and using different instruments. It’s all about the song and what will make it come alive, whilst maintaining strong vocals and meaningful lyrics.
Collaborating with Mark Beling on songs like ‘Dance a Little More’ and now ‘Daydreamer’ seems to have been a transformative experience. What was the collaborative process like, and how did it enhance the song’s emotional impact?
Mark ‘the maestro’ Beling is a beautiful human, an amazing producer and a monster musician. It is easy to work with Mark because he is just so good. We know each other very well; he knows what I like and how to get the best out of me. Raw, soulful, and letting the songs speak for themselves.
‘Daydreamer’ was a song that almost got shelved. I took it to the studio, laid down the guitar and guide vocals, listened back and told Mark it wasn’t working – I wasn’t getting the emotion I wanted the song to have. Then Mark suggested, laid down the beautiful piano, and ‘Daydreamer’ came alive.
In an industry that’s constantly evolving, what drives you to stay true to your artistic vision and maintain authenticity in your music?
It’s my dream of being recognised as a singer-songwriter, creating music that I want to create and enjoy listening to, and my passion for performing with everything I have – making the audience feel the music without any smoke and mirrors.
As you look ahead to the release of more music, what musical directions or themes can fans expect to encounter next?
Fans can expect more raw, soulful music that tells stories of love, hope and relationships.
Live performances are where the magic truly happens. How do you channel the energy of your recorded music into your live shows, and what do these moments of connection mean to you?
I love performing live, it is the best part of my career. There is no greater feeling than getting a crowd invested in the performance and singing along to your songs. I remain authentic when playing live, without any tricks, so that the audience experiences the songs as they were written and recorded. Most of my energy goes into reading the crowd, picking up on their preferences and the vibe at the right time. I choose the perfect moment to perform my original recorded music to elicit the best reaction from the audience.
Stream & watch ‘Daydreamer’ here.
