Pop superstar Gregory Dillon returns with the release of his new single, “Crystalized” out July 29 on Sad Magic Records. Written by Gregory after a spiritual journey to the desert with his dad, the “internet sad boy icon of our dreams” (Notion) we came to love with songs like “Alien Boyfriend,” “Plastic Ferrari” and “lovely”, is reborn with a heavy punch of 70s moxy, synthPUNK and flower child energy.
The lead single from Gregory’s upcoming debut LP, “Crystalized” confronts the moment the Brooklyn-based producer almost quit music, but was inspired to keep going by a mysterious hiker on his trip to the Grand Canyon. It is the first of many to be hazed in this new punk sound, however it is clearly evolved from the place of pure 80’s euphoria that helped him become a habitual editorial playlist favorite.
Gregory says, “At polar ends, “Crystalized” is drenched with a psychedelic aesthetic & wall of vocoder that feels completely unique to the world of synthpop. I can’t wait for people to lose themselves in this new era.”
What’s your story as an artist?
I was raised by a pack of wild corn dogs.
Can you recall the time you decided you wanted to be a pop star during your teenage years?
You’re talking to a kid so shy growing up, the only time I sang would be while playing Gregorian monk in my bedroom with my beanie babies who barricaded the door. That insecurity definitely hazed my day dreaming of being a pop star. However I did have a few punk destined moments in high school that uncovered my love for theatrics. I remember in HS being on a cruise with my family and getting secretly drunk at the big corporate party thrown by the company my dad worked at. I don’t know if it was the alcohol, shrimp cocktail, or seeing no other teens but when the Lead Singer invited someone on stage to sing Dancing Queen by ABBA, something came over me and I totally went for it. It was a very main character moment & one of those light switches that turned me on to the popstar fantasy.
What inspired this last release?
Short answer: I think everyone should get the chance to smoke with my dad in the desert. It’s guaranteed you’ll drive home with a flower-power mind set, sus rock, and savage teva sandals.
What are some things you like to do to recharge your batteries?
My rollerblades live rent free- i feel punk as fuck in my orange wheels doing drop ins and spins. The dream is to get a side job as a pizza delivery boy on wheels and I’m like record fast and Papa Ginos official mascot. Also assume this happens to everyone else but I literally turn into a James Bond stunt double when playing capture the flag. I just got my hands on a glow in the dark version and ready to start a cult with it.
Elaborating on skating: Funny enough, I used to grow up near a skate park and was always envious and intimidated by the level of attitude and commitment to hurt themselves for cool tricks- me on the other hand belonged at Weenie Hut Junior. I actually remember this one bad experience where I decided to ride down the giant ass hill in my neighborhood on skates but picked up so much speed i couldn’t stop and crashed into a my neighbors mailbox at the bottom of the street all while peeing my pants- But during the pandemic I got to go to a skate retreat in Joshua Tree and fell in love with the vibe. Everyone was there to help people improve on the skills they were working with and that resonated with me.
Any funny anecdotes from the time you were recording or writing this?
Milley Cyrus was right- everyone looks so famous… In true hollywood fashion, I accidentally ubered to a celebrities home looking for a hiking trail while taking a break from working on the track: When I took the uber on my way to this hike , I didn’t realize I put the wrong address in for the trailhead. So I get out of the car and on this private property and out of nowhere come Bobby from Queer Eye. I had no clue where I was- funny enough it was his house and he was so sweet to give me directions for a shortcut to where I need to be. And funny enough ran into later on into my hike so I’m counting him my tour guide at this point.
What’s your favorite lyrics you ever come up with?
I might have a weakness for suburban pools because my two favorite lyrics are “Hot swim like honey he be melting” (Crystalized) and “Skinny dipping mind into a dream!” (Sad Magic) Funny enough I ended my skinny dipping virginity last weekend- It was the same pool party where I played glow in the dark capture the flag so clearly I’m doing something right.
What’s a record that shaped your creativity?
Honestly, I could creatively flourish in a bushwick swamp with Shrek, Donkey, and some good trash if the radio was playing a rotation of: Metro Station, Grimes, and the Pokemon Movie Soundtrack.
Who is an artist or band you look up to today?
As a teen, I used to love mowing the lawn (def not stoned 👀) while listening to Semi-Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind while attempting to cut the most intricate crop circles. Some of them came out pretty legit. Looking back, it was these punk bands in my teens that helped me find gratitude with an unglamorous, basic life. I also love reckless, unapologetic, emotional angst. I do wish I had reported the crop circles to my local news channel.
What excites you the most about what you do ?
When I first started music, it came from a very heavenly innocent source. Though I haven’t abandoned those angels, I will say I’ve found a rebel without a cause attitude towards music that has me breaking so many more rules with both my production and world building on the aesthetic side. It’s been like cheating at monopoly- I’m living it up and will face the creative consequences never.
What is your view on genres and music styles since you blend a lot of them in your music? I want as many genres on the pizza as possible. As a producer, being able to foreplay on other artists projects outside my own has become one of the most influencing aspects for pushing my own boundaries when producing my first upcoming album- its the secret ingredient for the krabby patty formula. Subtle flex for my most recent records on Bentley Robles – i hate the weekend and Trevi Moran – Too Hot To Be This Hungover. This single also wouldn’t be a thing if my highschool crush didn’t reach out to me on a whim to let me know he was also a producer who loved my music and wanted to write. It was his grunge guitar skillz that really put a punk spin on the 80’s synth elements you hear in the track
How would you describe your act in one word?
Zaddy
