Dayglow Discusses the Significance of His Self-Titled Album and Reflects on His Evolution as an Artist

As Dayglow prepares to unveil his highly anticipated self-titled album, he sits down with Pleaser to discuss his remarkable journey from experimental beginnings to his current status as an indie-pop sensation. Sloan Struble, the creative force behind Dayglow, opens up about why this record represents a significant turning point in his career, highlighting how it captures both vulnerability and newfound clarity.

PHOTO BY LUKE ROGERS

In this interview, we dive deep into Dayglow’s creative process, uncover the influences that have shaped his unique sound, and discuss his enthusiasm for his upcoming tour. 

PLEASER: Your self-titled album Dayglow comes out in a few weeks. How would you describe this album in 3 words?

Dayglow: Energetic, self-aware, and loud.

P: Is there a reason why after three studio albums, this one is a self-titled record?

D: The past albums were very experimental and projects I approached as a producer. I felt I still hadn't introduced myself. There was a vagueness of what Dayglow is, and with my past albums, Dayglow never fully existed with clarity. 

I knew I needed to make a self-titled record and create something that when people hear the sound they know that it is Dayglow. 

P: Throughout this album, a lot of songs have the themes of finding yourself and your purpose yet feeling stuck and going through the motions of life. Would you say that being so vulnerable and open about these experiences while writing this album was therapeutic for you and helped you work through those emotions?

D: Some themes come across and feel like metaphors, but it is completely vulnerable and not abstracted in any way, which is a reason why it's self-titled. Dayglow is a personal record and the lyrics go very deep. The music is fun and uplifting, but I felt like I was breaking through a depression in my life, and it comes across in the lyrics. If people do stop and listen to the lyrics, they will realize how self-aware it all is, and I think it can be impactful. 

Fuzzy Brain was very much a coming-of-age album; there are serious topics that you can cross over into actual life. However, Dayglow is a version that is more existential and raw. 

P: You wrote, performed, recorded, and produced all the songs on this album by yourself, as well as directing and editing your music videos. Could you walk me through your creative process as an artist and how you navigate doing all of that on your own? 

D: I grew up in a small town in Texas. I only had one friend who was into music, so I grew up making everything by myself. It was the only choice I had. I’m also pretty shy, so I found it to be easier to make things myself. 

I view things holistically and that's how I approach my music. Nowadays, it’s all about a vibe and aesthetic being curated. It’s way easier to achieve that myself rather than emailing somebody back and forth for three months. I'm very peculiar in the way everything is presented, especially when it comes to visuals, mixing, and producing. 

I find it to be more rewarding when I do it myself. What Dayglow is and has been is a solo project. It makes the music pure in a way that people know exactly where it's coming from. 

P: You began working in Garageband and making music as young as the age of 11. Can you recall who your biggest musical inspirations were then and what inspired you to start creating music?

Dayglow: I was always fascinated by synths and sound design. Skrillex, Porter Robinson, and different EDM music inspired what I made when I was young. Making electronic music became overwhelming because I'm a very detail-oriented person. There's no limit to what you can make when it's abstract like EDM or house music. 

When I was a freshman in high school I started getting into bands like Phoenix and Two Door Cinema Club. Those bands opened my eyes to indie-rock and I shifted into making music that had more of that sound. 

I started Dayglow with the idea that the music still has some of those abstract elements and can also be played with a live band. That's what shifted me into the sound that I have today.

P: Are there any specific artists that inspired the sound and style behind this album?

D: The Strokes, Phoenix, and even a bit of Weezer. The album has an element of 2000’s rock punk energy. I mostly referenced my first album (Fuzzy Brain). I tried to put myself back in that headspace of being as naive as possible; not focusing on any element of what I'm making as a career decision. I sold almost all of the music gear I had at the time. I recorded most of the album with the same setup that I had for Fuzzy Brain, with just one guitar, one bass, a computer, and the same microphone. 

P: On TikTok, you make videos where you “Dayglow-ify” songs. Is there a favorite song of yours that you’ve “Dayglow-ified”?

D: I did a pretty dope cover of “Apple” by Charli XCX. It had this post-rock shoegaze vibe to it. I never really used TikTok until this year and it’s my first time trying to tackle the beast that is the TikTok algorithm. Making these cover videos is something I have a lot of fun doing.

P: You have toured and played many festivals. Is there a standout show that is most memorable for you? 

D: My audience in Mexico is awesome. The music blew up on TikTok more in Latin America than anywhere else. They play Dayglow side-by-side with mainstream radio pop. We did the Corona Capital Festival in Mexico City in 2021, and it was ten times larger than any crowd I'd ever played for. That was a really cool and unforgettable experience.

P: With your upcoming headline tour, are there any cities or venues you are most excited about?

D: New York and LA are always exciting. I love playing in Chicago, and I think Chicago has always been a city that really shows up for Dayglow. I'm playing a venue there called Aragon Ballroom and I’m super stoked for that. In Washington, D.C., we're playing at this venue called The Anthem, which is the biggest show on the tour. This tour is bigger than what I'm used to, but it's gonna be so fun.

P: How does it feel to be going back on tour with this new album?

D: I haven't been on a full bus tour in about a year and a half. I needed a break, and this record wouldn't exist if I hadn’t taken a step back. I'm eager to be in the thick of touring again. It's not a concept album that's made specifically for live performance, but listening through it, it is going to be great live, which is a goal of mine. Dayglow and live music go hand in hand.