Music, friendship, success and going global. Sound great? Yep, we agree.

Friends since elementary school, and now bringing their individual styles to the world at large, Mac Miller and Dylan Reynolds might represent completely different genres but they also share a passion for great composition and all-round musical ability.

While rappers traditionally talk a big game when it comes to representing their home town and their friends, it’s hard to think of any who come close to the level of loyalty and belief shown by Mac in Dylan. We caught up with the Pittsburgh-born duo at Mac’s house in LA (thanks again Mac, we had a blast). While Dylan posed in Mac’s private studio for our shoot, Mac shunned the limelight and insisted that Dylan be the focus of our piece.

This wasn’t a meaningless show of sentimentality. Mac clearly believes in Dylan’s talent – and it’s hard to argue about musical ability with a man who has garnered almost implausible levels of success in such a short time. Over the past couple of years, the facts speak for themselves: two studio albums full of hit songs, millions of fans, the launch of his own record label and an MTV show in his honour.

Listening to Dylan’s work, we can’t see why you’d want to disagree with Mac. Signed to Mac’s REMember Music label (a classic example of ‘putting your money where your mouth is’), Dylan brings a unique talent to the roster. His flawless (or should we say FAULTless?) voice is matched by the incredible emotion he brings to each of his songs. It really is a pleasure to hear an artist register the level of feeling that Dylan does while still hitting his notes so cleanly.

Speaking to the two artists, one thing became immediately and abundantly clear: both of them put great stock in their personal convictions. Neither have any intention of compromising their integrity for a quick fix of fame – that is most likely something else that has kept the pair so close for so long. They’ve kept their own styles while retaining a respect for other people’s – more than that, they’ve both openly embraced diverse genres and inspirations. It’s something that Dylan is only just beginning to show in his music that is available to the wider public (check out ‘Tightrope’) but it’s something that is definitely to be applauded.

FAULT: Mac – 2013: what a year for you! T.V show, tours, mix-tapes, launching your own record label, a clothing line… What’s up next for you?

Mac: If I told you that, I’d have to kill you.

What kind of talent are looking to sign to your REMember Label?

I’m looking for people who have a genuine love for music. I’m not looking for people who want a ticket to the “Big Show”. I want people who are ready to build and learn and become great. I want artists with potential and an open mind. No specifics in genre.

How would you describe Dylan’s music and what kind of impact do you see him having on the industry?

Dylan is honest. In a world where young people are manipulated and turned into consumers. Dylan is the truth. He is a young man with a story to tell. He has a passion for the art and he just wants to inspire people. He is not trying to turn his fans into consumers and become a product. His goals are far higher.

FAULT: Dylan, can you tell us more about your musical background? How long have you been writing and recording, and who/what have been the biggest influences on your sound?

Dylan: I started playing guitar and writing when as a teenager after my family moved out to a pretty isolated house in the country. So it was really out of boredom at the time, although it quickly morphed into something very different. Early on I started as a drummer.

You’ve been working on your EP – did you have an overall theme in mind for the tracks? What were some of the influences behind the singles? We’re especially curious about ‘Spanish Civil War’…

There is a definite theme to this album. It starts with a track called ‘Lifeline’ (the title track), which is about a time in a relationship when I realized I wasn’t going to die if it ended. So it’s essentially about a toxic co-dependent relationship in its final stage. The album kind of follows this trend and documents different stages of multiple relationships in different surrealistic settings.

…

Did you ever think in a million years, when you were growing up in Pittsburgh, that you’d ever being making music, working and touring together with Mac?

I think I always had a feeling that we were both going to be involved with music pretty early on, but I had no idea that it was going to turn into what it is. Working this closely with one of your best friends is pretty special.

What are you currently working on, Dylan, and what are you plans for 2014?

I’ve just finished my debut EP and I have a video for my single ”Young and Set” that will be coming out soon as well. I don’t know whats going to happen in 2014 but think its gonna be a big year for me in some way.

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