I was first made aware of Dylan Wishon via Tyler Spencer, aka Melodramatic and live bassist for Bedroom Division. When Dylan released his debut album Idle Hands in August 2025, I wrote that it was “a fantastic record filled with low-key and endlessly catchy anthems. The production is practically shimmering in a synthy ’80s pastiche. Each listen brings to mind bands like Acceptance, Dashboard Confessional, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Maine while feeling fresh and distinct.”
What has continued to blow me away is how well Dylan promotes his shows. It genuinely matches his skill for songwriting and live performance, ensuring that folks are in the loop about his latest shows and tour announcements across Instagram and TikTok.
After several attempts to meet up for an interview — including before his sold-out show at The Pinhook in Durham with Grace Lucia, blankstate., and Nicole Tester — we finally connected on New Year’s Eve over coffee at Common Grounds in Greensboro. What emerged from our chat was a portrait of an artist hitting his stride, surrounded by an uplifting community rather than by one in competition with itself.
What have you been listening to lately?
Dylan: Someone commented on one of my videos, saying that my music sounds a lot like Wave to Earth. I had no clue who they were, so I checked them out. They’re a South Korean indie rock band, and I’ve been absolutely obsessed with them. Just one of those bands where you find them and you’re like, “How have I not heard this before?”
I also work in a studio, helping other people record their music. I’ve been working with Nervous Surface from Greensboro, so I’ve been listening to Matty’s [Brotherton, guitars/vocals] past albums. At first, it was just to use as a mix reference, but they’re also just really great. I Stop Making Words is their most recent album, and that’s been on repeat as well.
Who was the first artist you remember discovering on your own and just obsessing over?
Dylan: Boy Pablo, for sure. He doesn’t make music anymore, but he’s a Norwegian indie-pop artist from the bedroom-pop wave with Clairo and Mac DeMarco. I remember finding a music video for his song “Every Time” and getting introduced to this whole new world. Like, you can just make music in your bedroom and put it out?
Is that what drew you to picking up an instrument?
Dylan: I had been playing guitar as a hobby by that point. My first venture into music was making hip-hop beats, but I started recording my own music in 2018. Bedroom Division started as a collaborative project with a friend, but he lost interest, and I kept it going on my own.
How has the project evolved since then?
Dylan: It was very archaic compared to now. I would say May 2023 was when it became serious, when I started playing shows instead of just playing in my bedroom and making Instagram posts. In 2024, I released the self-titled EP, which I recorded, mixed, and mastered myself. That was when it truly became an intentional project.
It was also when I met my buddy, William Henson, an artist from Winston-Salem, and we started working together. I would always have trouble taking songs across the finish line. But working with William is great because he has the discipline to be like, “We need to put the finishing touches on this and get it out.”
With this new record [Idle Hands], five or six out of the ten were ones we did together. The rest were just me. He’s got more engineering experience; he was working at 68 Sound in Greensboro, and through that relationship, I started working there too. Most of the album was finished there, which gave us access to more tools and a nice studio environment for mixing. That helped make it more cohesive and polished, but still 100% DIY.
I feel like that’s a unique way to flesh out the vision for your music. Having someone with strengths that cover your weaknesses and be a sounding board for new ideas.
Dylan: Definitely. I’ve always been an individualistic person, but there are times when you need someone to give you perspective. At some point, you don’t have an objective view of the songs anymore. You’re way too deep, and you need someone to give feedback.
It doesn’t take a long look at social media to see that you’ve built such an impressive following. How do you view the relationship between creating and playing out live?
Dylan: If anything, the shows give me more encouragement to finish what I’m working on. Because if people enjoy the songs I made a year ago, imagine what they’re going to think of this awesome new stuff. It’s validating to know it’s not just me who thinks these songs are good. But I’m even more excited to show them how I’ve grown as a person.
At the same time, it’s like two very different worlds. We’ll be on tour for a week ,and it’s a whole lifestyle, but then you come back and have to get back into the regular groove of things.
What has the response to the new record been?
Dylan: It’s been great. It’s funny putting out an album and knowing which songs are the singles, which ones will be heavy hitters, and then the people connect with the ones you never expect. [laughs] It’s been awesome to get something as large in scope as an album done and have it out there for people to listen to. Different people have different reactions to it.
You play a role in this revolving door of musicians in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. What is it like to build and be a part of that collaborative community?
Dylan: It’s something cool that feels specific to music. Like, if you go to a pottery club, you’re going to get a bunch of different personalities. But I feel like musicians are more similar. If someone plays in a band, I know for a fact we’re gonna get along. It’s a particular type of personality that is easy for me to connect with and to build community around.
As you said before, people have different strengths, and the music community is a great way to tap into that to cover your weaknesses. If I need drums for a song, I can call up the amazing drummers I know for help. With bands like Fifth Floor and SCOBY, we’ve been talking about strategies for getting people out to shows or just to listen to the music. There’s no competitive aspect; it’s just all collaborative.
When you look back on 2025, what stands out as a top highlight of the year?
Dylan: Since the album came out, we’ve done two or three tours. It was just such a cool experience to get on the road, go to new cities we’d never been to before, and play our music. People showed up and were like, “I saw you on TikTok” or whatever, which was crazy.
The last two months of the year, I had a bunch of videos that did really well on TikTok, promoting shows. We had three shows: two sold out, and the third was our biggest show we ever played by far, at Hangar 1819 in Greensboro with Fifth Floor, Oceanic, and Lowborn. It was a surreal experience to play a stage that big with artists we’ve grown alongside. Being able in the success with them was an amazing experience.
Looking ahead to next year, is there anything you’re hoping to materialize?
Dylan: New music, for sure. After the album came out, I was creatively drained but still trying to make stuff. Now I feel back in the groove of writing new songs that feel good.
Also, more touring before the record. I still love those songs and feel they deserve to be heard and promoted. We’ve got one tour in February and another in March confirmed, and I’m working on some more for the spring and summer.
Of all the artists I’ve interviewed, your relationship with TikTok is the most prevalent. How do you navigate that alongside everything else you’re doing?
Dylan: It’s work. I have to think of it that way, or I just won’t do it. But those three shows I mentioned, I purely have TikTok to thank for that. I’ve found a strategy where I’m not spending hours making videos; it’s minimal effort, where I can get like 5-6 videos done in 30 minutes. And it’s been a game-changer for getting people to come out to shows.
The main thing is slideshows. Just a few photos with some text of where we’re playing. It works, and I don’t know why, but it’s changed my perspective on getting people out. Before, it felt like a matter of luck, but now it’s up to me to use this tool and get people to show up. If I can do that and pull them into what I’m doing, that’s a win.
Who are some of your favorite local/North Carolina artists?
Dylan: Oceanic is one of my favorites. They’re from Charlotte, and they’ve been a big inspiration to me, not only their recorded music but their live shows. They’re incredible. Fifth Floor, of course, are my friends, but also super inspiring. I love their music. Lady Die from Wilmington is highly underrated — very Japanese House vibes, just intricate indie pop.
Also have to shoutout the homies Melodramatic, Khallori, and Liam Martin.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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