Dylan Hyde on The Mystery Artist Show

The Mystery Artist Show is a weekly program on TheSkyKid.com Radio. Each week Jeffrey, the program’s host, introduces a young artist. In August of 2012, TheSkyKid.com radio aired an exclusive interview (conducted by Jeffrey) with 16-year-old pop singer and actor Dylan Hyde.

Note: This publication is a transcription of the original interview aired on TheSkyKid.com radio. The clip included below features the whole interview and snippets of the songs that were played during the live broadcast. In this transcript, “TMAS” will represent the questions posed by the Mystery Artist’s Show and “DH“ will be Dylan’s answers. Jeffrey has also provided some post interview commentary that was not part of the interview as aired, but rather represents his impressions of the interview after the fact. Those comments will be shown as “Jeffrey“.

Jeffrey: Today’s Mystery Artist is none other than 16 year old Dylan Hyde from San Diego, California who was born into a family of performers. I first heard of Dylan on Twitter and, of course, had to check out his YouTube page to see what the buzz was all about with this young singer/actor. After watching a number of his videos and hearing him sing, I immediately contacted him to see about doing an interview and was very pleased when he agreed. Being in California and acting as well as singing, of course Dylan has a manager, who I had to go through for the interview.

Justin Bieber – Heartbreaker ( Dylan Hyde Cover )

http://youtu.be/d5ZCrbeo1ME

TMAS: You’ve been posting videos on YouTube for a few years now. How do you decide which songs you’ll cover and when to post them?

DH: I’ve been doing a lot of Justin Bieber songs since I was little. I know he has a new album coming out, Believe, so I thought I would do the new singles he was releasing for Believe on the same day they were released, so when people go on YouTube to search the song, my video will come up. When they search it on YouTube, they’re going to be looking for the original of what he’s done to it, but when they click on mine, they’re going to see what I’ve spun on his song. I’m hoping they’ll like it so they’ll go buy my music that’s in my own style. It’s really different than Justin’s and I’m hoping that those Bielebers out there can like my music just as much as they like his.

As far as posting, I’m not scheduled for a specific time that I’m going to release songs on YouTube. I really just do it when I feel like it — when I feel like I can put a spin on a song that’s done in a way that’s so different from me — just to surprise people. I’m not doing it at specific times, like every two weeks or something along those lines. Just whenever I feel like it and when I want too and I think it’s the right time and the right song.

TMAS: Your YouTube covers are really popular. Do you think that the response will be the same when you begin to post your own original music?

DH: Yeah. The covers are really, really popular and it’s awesome. I love that. I’ve never had so much attraction to my covers before. I do think my original music is going to be just as popular as those covers, as I make it bigger and bigger, just because if they like my covers so much they’re going to like what I do to my original music too.

TMAS: Watching your YouTube videos from two years ago versus your more recent posts, you’ve changed your image. What inspired the new look?

DH: A few years ago, I was going through this rebellious punk/skater stage. Over the years, I’ve matured as a person and I think I’ve slowly begun to realize that the classy look is more for me rather than really, really skinny jeans, really long baggy t-shirts and just looking kinda trashy. I think going for a classier look is right for me.

TMAS: You were approached by several record labels. What made you decide to sign with Crissy Fields Records?

DH: My manager, Richard, I knew from before. He did a show with me. He was part of the artistic team. So I think it made me a little bit more comfortable with signing with Crissy Fields Records.

TMAS: You have said that you used to listen to skater/punk music, but that’s not what you sing. What made you want to sing contemporary pop?

DH: I definitely wouldn’t want to sing skater/punk music but, yes, I did used to listen to it a lot. As I matured and tried to become classier, I just wanted to change everything that I did to revolve around that just because I was so obsessed with it. That’s when I decided that the music I do today is really what I’ve wanted to do all these years.

TMAS: What has inspired the songs that you’ve written for your debut album?

DH: Recently, the songs I’ve been writing are a lot about how our world is falling apart. We do need a lot of help. Since my album revolves a lot around love, I sing about how I think love could save us from a lot of the things that are going on. It could really save us and our planet. Overall, if we really have true love for the things we do around us, I think that could be the cure for a lot of things.

TMAS: Are you working with other songwriters on the new album?

DH: Yeah. I’m working with a few other song writers. Recently, I wrote a really awesome song that has to do with what I was saying earlier about saving us with love. I wrote that with my manager Richard.

TMAS: When is your album due out and how many songs will it contain?

DH: At this moment, I’m not really sure how many songs are going to be on the album, but I do know the day it’s supposed to drop is October 23^rd.

TMAS: Aside from musical theatre, had you done any on-camera acting before the web-series?

When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars (Dylan Hyde Cover)

Richard Allen’s Amazed is an original online mystery/science-fiction series created by writer/producer Richard Allen for Tirano Entertainment. The series stars Dylan Hyde as himself…

DH: Before Amazed, I had never done any on camera acting , but I will definitely have to say that I like that much, much better than musical theatre acting. I think I just connect more with doing on camera film and acting.

TMAS: Richard Allen said that he developed this show specifically for you. What do you think it was about you that inspired this show?

DH: He’d seen me act before because he has seen me in musical theatre shows. I think he thought I could act OK. He knew I was a new, up and coming artist and we needed something to push me out there. I think Amazed is building a lot of attraction for my music because they see me in the show and we advertise me as an artist on there as well, so people want to go listen to my original music. I’m pretty sure that’s what gave him the idea to use this.

TMAS: I know there have been five episodes so far; how many episodes are planned for the first season?

DH: I’m not really sure how many episodes are supposed to be in the first season. Right now we’ve filmed nine and this mystery is crazy awesome. I’m like obsessed with it and I think our audience will be too.

TMAS: There are some amazing locations in Amazed. Can you tell me about where the web-series is shot?

DH: There are three major places where we film Amazed. The one first is Coronado Island, which is like the most beautiful place ever. I really love going there. The second place is The City Deli in San Diego. We’re in and out of there all the time. They treat us so great. They’re wonderful people at The City Deli. We film there and it’s where me and my friends in the show hang out and just chill and think about this mystery that we’re trying to solve. The City Deli is a place that we’re probably at the most. The other place where we shoot is a Victorian house. My grandparents’ best friends own the Victorian, so that’s how we kinda got the hook-up to be able to film there. I’m super jealous of them. That house is the most gorgeous house I’ve ever seen and I’m super jealous I don’t get to live there with them.

TMAS: I understand that you have a busy summer ahead of you. Can you tell me what’s planned for the next few months? What can the fans expect?

DH: We have a super, super busy summer coming up. We’re doing a tour. Right now we’re booking some cities in some other states. The show that we’ve been rehearsing is so fun. I really encourage my fans to come see one of my shows. I’m hoping to go to as many cities as I can just to give my fans an opportunity to see the show, cuz the show is so fun. The set list is great.

TMAS: What advice do you have for other artists who are starting out?

DH: What I’ve been seeing a lot of lately is just new artists not being themselves, for a lack of better words. I would just say don’t copy anyone else. I think that if you just act yourself and sing what you really feel and do what you really feel, people are automatically going to be drawn to you just because of you being yourself and they’re going to love you for who you are.

TMAS: Is there anything else you’d like to add before we go?

DH: Yeah. Everyone can come visit me on my website which is www.dylanhydemusic.com. You can follow me on Twitter, that’s: @TheDylanHyde on twitter. Facebook is www.facebook.com/DylanHydeMusic. You can also subscribe to my YouTube page http://www.youtube.com/user/DylanHydeIsAmazing to see some more covers I’m going to put out there, and some original music. I’m working on one of my music videos for my newest single Running Free, which is so awesome. Anything you guys can do to reach out to me — I would love that. I love my fans and I love reaching out to you guys. I hope to see you guys at my shows this summer but, if not, then I hope you have a great summer!

Shortened version on the interview originally aired on TheSkyKid.com Radio

http://youtu.be/id7AfPVXF0A

South of the Moon (2008)

A film with considerable potential is ruined by its length.

It’s a Coming-of-Age movie from Canada. The Canadian cinema industry has several Coming-of-Age films worth mentioning: Dave Shultz’s Jet Boy, Daniel Grou’s 10 1/2, and Franc Vitale’s Montreal Main are just a few noteworthy ones.

South of the Moon shares some of the qualities of those great films: an intriguing story, a promising young lead, and, as a bonus, a moody soundtrack with jazz and soft rock songs that fit the film’s theme. That score even features a boys’ choir performance, though I have reservations about its appropriateness in relation to the scene in which it plays.

The film features the Coming-of-Age experiences of twelve-year-old Coleman Hawkins and his uncle Matt. To Coleman, Coming-of-Age presents many challenges: love, confusion, nervousness around girls, sexual curiosity (challenges common to many kids his age), and all that while trying to make sense of the world that surrounds him. For Matt, although he is older, his changes and transformations, as well as the experiences that shape his life and personality (told via flashbacks), are equally enticing. Coleman and his uncle share an extraordinary bond: despite the age difference, Matt is Coleman’s best friend and something more…

First love

Jake McLeod as Coleman Hawkins and Devery Jacobs as Alexa Dumont in South of the Moon

The plot of South of the Moon is complicated, essentially tying a Coming-of-Age story with one of immense love. Although this approach is innovative to me, at times, the ties that connect the stories weaken. As a result, it’s entirely possible that many viewers will get lost and, consequently, will be bored by the time the film’s first hour has elapsed. I came to appreciate the movie only on my second viewing – armed with all the knowledge I had gained from the first time I watched it. But I believe a real negative issue lies in the film’s length. I feel that scenes could have been cut, preventing this from being a 102-minute movie.

Jake McLeod made an excellent debut in the role of Coleman Hawkins. It’s a shame that the film’s director, Antonio DiVerdis, lacked experience working with young cast members. There was often a stilted, unnatural feel to the dialogue and interactions between the young actors. Yet Jake’s talent shone through. The film’s real star, though, is the Canadian actor John Ralston in the role of Coleman’s uncle Matt. He was brilliant and really made the movie. Fortunately, he worked exceptionally well with his young co-star, enhancing both stories.

John Ralston as Matt Hawkins in South of the Moon

I enjoyed the independent feel of the film. Subtle hints and a bit of controversy are frequently featured in Canadian movies, making them stand out compared to most American productions. The plot features some dramatic story twists, which could have made the film much more interesting if it were not for the somewhat clichéd ending. Admittedly, the story failed to involve me emotionally. Yet, although I rarely say that, the lack of emotional attachment did not ruin my experience.

I would recommend the film despite the few shortcomings I’ve mentioned. South of the Moon is an innovative independent Coming-of-Age film that deserves its chance to be appreciated.

Film title: South of the Moon
Release year: 2008 – Stargaze Pictures
Director: Antonio DiVerdis
Cast: John Ralston, Jake McLeod, Moya O’Connell, Daniel Richard Giverin, Jayne Heitmeyer and others

Official film site / IMDB page

Planta 4a (2003)

When one sees the poster for the 2003 Spanish movie Planta 4a, the associations with a heavy drama are almost guaranteed. Children, cancer and hospitals – most Coming-of-Age films that feature similar elements take its toll on the emotions of their viewers (see The Last Snows of Spring, Ways to Live Forever, Matching Jack and Oscar et la Dame Rose). That might be the reason why I hesitated for months before I finally decided to watch Planta 4a.

Continue

Planta 4a (2003)

Highly recommended

Planta 4a is an inspirational, “feel good” movie which tackles a difficult theme in a manner that no other film has accomplished.

4.8

OUR RATING

Where to get

Amazon

AJ Silva: The Journey to Success

It’s been a very busy time at ajsilmusic. AJ Silva is a 13-yr-old singer/musican/dancer living in Orlando, Florida.

After his first video, which he uploaded in September, 2010 and which featured a cover of That Should Be Me by Justin Bieber, AJ went on to cover several mainstream songs as well as some classics like the band Kansas‘s Dust In The Wind and James Taylor‘s Fire and Rain. Both songs were performed on acoustic guitar. His cover of Dust in The Wind caught the eye of Chip Ruggieri who handles PR and Consulting for Kansas.

Continue

The Ultimate Coming of Age Gang

Coming-of-Age stories tend to be classic tales of personal strife and the overcoming of obstacles, to become better and richer for the experience. The traditional tale offers a protagonist of the mid-teen persuasion facing the brink of adulthood and the emotional turmoil that seems to ensue. Luckily though, the main character is more often than not surrounded by a group of faithful companions who help him/her through the confusion and ambiguity of morality and personal development.

Continue

Introducing Colton Jacobson

Last Sunday, I heard Colton Jacobson sing Sand Castle on the Sky Kid Radio and, like many people, was impressed with this youth’s high clear voice and precise notes. It’s a song about disappointed love, childish dreams, change and disillusionment that has had almost two million views on YouTube.

It has touching, simple lyrics and a wonderfully soft ballad tune which goes down like honey, while being sung by a handsome blond boy whose style in front of the mic is that of a craftsman!

Continue

Alan Wheeler on The Mystery Artist Show

Each week Jeffrey – the host of The Mystery Artist Show on TheSkyKid.com Radio – introduces a young artist from somewhere around the world. In March 2011, we published an interview with the teen idol Alan Wheeler, titled Alan Wheeler: Monterrey Musical Marvel! A year later, Jeffrey contacted Alan for a follow up interview, which was aired on TheSkyKid.com radio in July, 2012.

Note: This publication is a transcription of the original interview aired on TheSkyKid.com radio. The clip included below features the whole interview and snippets of the songs that were played during the live broadcast. In this transcript, “TMAS” will represent the questions posed by the Mystery Artist’s Show and “AW” will be Alan’s answers. Jeffrey has also provided some post interview commentary that was not part of the interview as aired, but rather represent his impressions of the interview after the fact. Those comments will be shown as “Jeffrey“.

TMAS: Today’s Mystery Artist is none other than the one and only Alan Wheeler. Alan is originally from Monterrey, Mexico, but now lives in Los Angeles, California. Like so many artists before him were able to do Alan, who is fluent in English and Spanish, bridged the cultural and lingual barriers of two countries into one. Alan had auditioned for the X-Factor after he was recruited to participate in the contest. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it through, even though Simon Cowell gave him a “Yes”.

TMAS: You started your career as a member of the youth musical group The RUPPIS . How long were you a member of that band?

AW: Hmm. How long had I been a member of the Ruppis? Since I was eight until I was about 12, so something like four years.

Jeffrey: The RUPPIS, an extremely popular children’s band in Mexico and the Valley of Texas, performed at a variety of venues and has its own sitcom broadcast by the TV Network Multimedios.

TMAS: After watching videos on YouTube of the group, I couldn’t help but notice that your sister Chris was also a member. Was it difficult at any time for the two of you to work together and then go home?

AW: Yeah. My sister was also a member of the Ruppis. It wasn’t really difficult. I mean, it was just like having like another friend in the band.

TMAS: I know it’s often difficult for young people who get into singing or acting when it comes to their classmates teasing and bullying them. Have you had any problems such as this?

AW: A couple of people at school started teasing me like “Hey! So sing a song or something”. Then everybody started doing it and it got a little bit annoying, but it didn’t really affect me.

Jeffrey: At one point in time, Alan Wheeler was modeling clothes for the Fashion Shows Runway. This raised my curiosity…

TMAS: When we think of Runway models, we generally picture tall, sexy, skinny women or buffed hunks or even female beauty contestants of all ages, but we never really think of boys. Did this ever cause any problems as far as people calling you names or anything like that?

AW: Since there’s not that many Runways in Mexico, not many people noticed that I was a Runway model. So people didn’t really know.

TMAS: What kind of advice would you give other young artists such as yourself just starting out?

AW: What I would say to young artists is to never lose your ground. Always be as humble as possible. Always keep an eye on your dream. Never let anything come between it and you. Just be careful with people trying to bring you down.

Jeffrey: Each week, Alan hosts a USTREAM.TV broadcast, during which he and his sister, Chris, interact with their fans. Streaming media has been increasingly popular among young performers, so I had to ask what motivated him to devote his time to a weekly streaming event…

TMAS: What made you decide to start doing USTREAM broadcasts?

AW: How we started doing the Ustream broadcasts was sometimes we left Monterrey or we wouldn’t have concerts during a period of time, so people started saying things like “We haven’t seen you in a such long time”. We found out about Ustream and we’ve been doing live chats every Friday at 6pm Pacific time, which is 8pm Central time so you can check us out there.

Jeffrey: I try my best to watch artists when they do a Ustream, vidcam or any other kind of broadcast for their fans. Alan is by far one of the artists I like watching the most — not because of his great singing ability, but because he and his sister Chris make their broadcasts loads of fun. Even though the majority of the time I can’t understand what they’re saying because it’s in Spanish, I like watching because they make it so much fun and a pleasure to watch. From watching Alan and his sister, Chris, I can tell that there’s never a dull moment in their household.

Alan Wheeler – Cien Gaviotas

TMAS: What is the one place in the entire world that you’d love to perform at the most?

AW: The one place in the entire world that I would love to perform at the most is probably the Hollywood Bowl, since it’s such a legendary place. Everybody has played there, so it would be an honor to play there one day.

TMAS: Has there been a release date set for your second CD?

AW: No there’s not yet a release date for the second CD, but hopefully it’s soon.

TMAS: Can you tell us anything about the CD as far as the songs that will be on it?

AW: As far as songs, it’s probably going to be a lot more in English then in Spanish this time because we are trying to balance out from the first one. While there’s going to be a lot more English, there’s still going to be a couple of Spanish songs though.

TMAS: Are any of them originals or covers or both?

AW: There’s going to be both originals and covers. Probably more originals than covers, because I really like originals. There’s probably going to be two or three covers on it.

TMAS: Is there anything you’d like to add before we go?

AW: I’d like to send a big shout out to all my fans and I’m very glad to be here.

Jeffrey: I’d like to thank Alan for taking the time to do the interview with me and I’d also like to thank Alan’s dad, Robert, for updating me on some of the information that I had about Alan. Be sure to keep up with Alan at any or all of the following links:

Valo (2005)

Based on a true story, the Finish Coming-of-Age movie Valo tells the story of nine-year-old Valo and his friend Ville who, observing the wrongdoings of the adults that surround them, decide to devote their youthful lives to the fight against evil.

The action takes place in Finland in the early 1900’s, when the country is still part of the Russian Empire. Valo and his father are caught by the police during Bloody Sunday, a demonstration march against the Tsarist regime in Russia.

Continue

CJ Fam on The Mystery Artist Show

The Mystery Artist Show is broadcast weekly on TheSkyKid.com Radio. Each week Jeffrey, the program’s host, introduces a young artist from somewhere around the world. In July of 2012, TheSkyKid.com radio aired an exclusive interview with twelve-year-old CJ Fam from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. A YouTube star and immensely talented performer, CJ Fam recently moved to Los Angeles, California in order to pursue her singing and acting careers.

Continue

The Last Snows of Spring (1973)

Tear-jerker movies – you may love them or hate them – but you are unlikely to remain indifferent to the stories they tell. Some of the best emotional films in the Coming-of-Age genre were made in the 60’s and the 70’s, and the majority of them were filmed in Italy. Titles such as the 1978 Last Feelings (L’ultimo sapore dell’aria), the 1966 Luigi Comencini film Misunderstood (Incompreso) and the 1974 Last Moments (Il venditore di palloncini ) are just few of the many classic films that have touched audiences and inspired filmmakers through the years.

Undoubtedly the most popular film from that period – often used to define the genre – is the 1973 Raimondo Del Balzo movie The Last Snows of Spring (L’ultima neve di primavera). Starring the best known Italian child actor of the 70’s, Renato Cestiè, the movie tells the story of ten-year-old Luca who feels neglected by his widower father, Roberto. Roberto is a busy lawyer who is preoccupied with work and his own affairs and spends very little time with his son (who is also attending boarding school). He fears that Luca will not approve of Veronica, his newest girlfriend, but decides to give it a try by taking both of them on a seaside vacation.

Luca meets Veronica, a passionate woman who tries her best to convince the young boy that she is not trying to steal his father from him. They became friends and spend many wonderful moments together while the father continues to pay more attention to his work than to either of them – even while on vacation. One day Luca witnesses Veronica and his father kissing passionately. Shocked, he feels betrayed. When the vacation is over, Luka feels even more neglected. The father, who he idolized despite his shortcomings, has disappointed him. Observing Luka’s sulking mood, Roberto decides to make it up by arranging a ski vacation in the mountains – just the two of them. They have a wonderful time together – until an accident happens. Luca collapses and is diagnosed with Leukemia. The tragedy is that at the end of his short life, Luca finally gets what he always wanted – the love and affection of his father.

The Last Snows of Spring (1973) Original Poster

Despite the tragic ending, Raimondo Del Balzo’s film does not feel down nor depressing for the majority of its length. The vacation scenes, the funny dialogues Luca has with a girl classmate, the genuine love and hero-worshipping that the boy feels for his father are delightful to watch. Unlike some modern day films (one that comes to my mind is the 2011 drama Bringing Up Bobby), The Last Snows of Sping story goes through several transformations without losing its appeal and main focus. The young lead, Renato Cestiè, is not only a cute and adorable kid, but he delivers an excellent performance, which all fans of the Coming-of-Age genre are guaranteed to appreciate.

One of the most notable features of the Italian films are their soundtracks. Franco Micalizzi’s score is melodic and sentimental and really enhances the emotional value of the story in The Last Snows of The Spring. A unique combination of piano, guitar and strings results in a heart-rending and memorable soundtrack.

While some may call tear-jerker films manipulative, the stories they relate always manage to engage the viewer. In the Coming-of-Age genre, the majority of the films feature a terminal illness. And while the death of a child is dolesome to watch, films such as The Cure, Oscar et la Dame Rose and Matching Jack are cinematic masterpieces that everyone should see. The Last Snows of Spring is frequently considered the film that influenced the movies I just mentioned and is well worth your time.

Yatharth Ratnum on The Mystery Artist Show

The Mystery Artist Show is a weekly program on TheSkyKid.com Radio. Each week Jeffrey, the program’s host, introduces a young artist. In June of 2012, TheSkyKid.com radio aired an exclusive interview (conducted by Jeffrey) with Yatharth Ratnum – a promising young singer and performer from the holy city of Varanasi, in the north-east of India. He was first introduced on TheSkyKid.com in 2009. In June 2010 we featured an exclusive interview with him following his recognition as Outstanding International Vocalist at the 31st Annual Young Artist Awards.

Continue

Boy: A Short Film (2011)

Sometimes one is fortunate to get access to a promising short movie while it is still in the Festival circles. Most times, however, as in the case of Topaz Adizes’s film Boy, one has no other choice but to wait until the film is released to the general public on the Internet. The wait is not always easy, especially if the director has released exceptional production photographs on the film’s website prior to its availability.

Continue

TheSkyKid.com

TheSKyKid.com

Justin Bieber – Heartbreaker ( Dylan Hyde Cover )

When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars (Dylan Hyde Cover)

Alan Wheeler – Cien Gaviotas