Dylan Payne on SoundBetter

Make your avant-garde masterpiece! I'm all about understanding your vision and helping you bring it to life in a way that's innovative and polished at the same time. I have a deep respect for music history, theory and the technicalities of production. In other words, I've learned the rules... so we can break them!

A perfect producer for those looking to explore the far out, fantastical side of pop music. My work tends to lean towards the sentimental and mysterious, often drawing inspiration from fantasy and science fiction. If you’re making indie pop, dance, or folk pop, I can help you finish your song, no matter what stage of completion.

I have a BA in music from Carleton College and currently work as songwriter and music director at a children’s theater in Minneapolis. I have composed soundtracks for award winning video games and movies and I collaborate with solo artists as a producer and remixer. I also just released my second album as "Tommy Blossom."

Why hire me? Years of experience, great listening skills, and a passion for helping artists find their creative voice.

Send me a note through the contact button above.

5 Reviews

Endorse Dylan Payne

by Caio A.
Verified
Dylan is very kinda and patient
he is always ready to listen and surprise you
And able to deliver your ideas !
I’m grateful to had this experience working with him
by Brynn
I can't recommend Dylan enough. He is an incredibly skilled and creative producer. He is very attuned to many genres and knows how to create a modern, radio-ready sound. What was especially valuable to me was his ability to listen. I wanted to create music that reflected me and my musical brand. Dylan made me feel heard and helped me take my ideas and give them life. The results were better than I ever expected.
by Ella
I cannot say enough about the insight and skill Dylan brings to collaboration. His production is clean and fresh, and that type of execution allows the heart of the music to truly shine.
by Jessie Thoreson
Dylan was a pleasure to work with!
by Mary Jennings
Dylan Payne is currently employed at Imagination Theatre in Minneapolis Mn. and does the musical arrangements and music composition for our shows. He is highly creative and talented as well as reliable and dependable. I highly recommend him to you.

Mary Jennings
Artistic Director
Imagination Theatre

Interview with Dylan Payne

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I tend to work in indie pop and electronic genres but enjoy sneaking in some orchestral elements when I can.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: I find it very important to arrange a song in its entirety before getting too caught up in sonic details. Use a preset or a basic patch and come back later to get the sounds just right. On some of my classical pieces I have had luck starting with pen and paper, and waiting until the piece is almost finished to enter notes into a DAW.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My strongest skill may be arrangement and melodic composition - taking a seed of an idea and turning it into a finished product. Through a lot of trial and error, I have developed a sense for how to build and sustain interest in a song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a modest home studio with a drum kit, guitars, bass, several amps and a good selection of microphones. I also have a clarinet and saxophone that I pull out on special occasions.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I really admire Porter Robinson because he continues to evolve and create music that is unexpected and yet somehow timeless.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I compose a lot of soundtracks for different media and write songs for theater. I also record bands, and collaborate with singer songwriters as a producer or remixer.