It took local singer-songwriter Dylan Pratt two years to pen his new album, Beg For Fire, but on the cusp of his record release show, he can look back at that time fondly.
Tonight, Pratt will celebrate with a showcase at Crescent Ballroom along with Jon Rauhouse, Some Magical Animal, and Where Are All The Buffalo. The sophomore effort is enriched by growing pains involving homesickness and a dose of real-life hard knocks.
We had a quick chat with Pratt for a look into how the album unfolded.
Up on the Sun: There's usually a lot of pressure that comes with penning your second album -- did you feel any of that on Beg For Fire?
Dylan Pratt: After the first one, I was a little nervous about that. But I went through a time where most of these songs on Beg For Fire were just pouring out. For a while I don't think I was thinking about putting together a record, but then realizing that I had a good number of songs to choose from, it just came down to deciding on the right ones for an album. I think what I felt the most pressure from was not having a deadline, but then looking back, that was what helped me come full circle with the songs and come out on the other side.
What was your favorite part of making this record?
I think I have two favorite parts of the making of this album. The first, the collaboration on some songs with Trevor Orriss in Seattle. Some of my favorite songs on the record are the ones where his incredible creative influence was let loose. He has a way of pushing me and songs in general to places I'm not expecting, and I love him for it. My second was getting to work with my Dad again on the mixing and mastering. I'm lucky to have the relationship I do with him.
What was your biggest challenge?
For me, the biggest challenge was actually finishing recording and mixing. From beginning to end, it has been about two years in the making, which sounds crazy to me now. So the thing that was the hardest to overcome was the time behind me working on it and finally deciding to set a deadline.
Where did you find your inspiration this go around?
I was living in Seattle for the writing of a lot of these songs. It was a new place where new things were in every direction, which can be great but can also lead to a bit of homesickness. I had certain ideals and expectations before moving there, and as soon as I got there, real life had a different way of playing out. There was also a long term relationship that ended upon arriving that took a lot out of me. It was a time in my life where I had to be completely on my own, without my family near, and learn how to be an independent person I think. Ultimately the process of writing and recording this record went right along with me growing up a lot, and finding out a lot about myself.
What do you hope people take from Beg For Fire?
There is a lot of weight in the lyrics on this one I think, but a lot of hope also. I would like people to take in all sides of the songs, and most of all see the hope in bad situations. Also, I hope they just like it in general.
