Well it was kinda simple. I'm a solo artist and most solo artists use their real name. Dylan Rodrigues is my real name so I used that. Complicated, I know.

I'm looking to start expanding my venues. Now it's just family gatherings. I wouldn't mind stepping it up to clubs or small venues.

I think the internet is great for the music industry. It's sites like MySpace, SoundClick, CD Baby, CafePress, and a bunch of others that help local, undiscovered bands make money off of their music. Before all of the cool sites, you'd have to buy studio time and pay for mailing and postage to make labels hear you. Now you can just e-mail them an mp3 or two and they'll take a listen. Even unsigned artists/bands can buy some recording software, record a whole album and put it up online for people to buy. Hey, look at me. I'm doing it. So overall, the internet is great for the music industry. It helped me get my start.

I would easily sign with a major label if the contract was good. Too many people sign with major labels and eventually lose sight of the music. Overall, on a major label you will most likely get bigger and more famous quickly. On an indie label, they listen to you more. They'll help kep the music in sight so you don't focus on just being famous.

Dylan Rodrigues is a 15 year old singer, songwriter from Winter Park/Orlando, Florida. He truly defines the meaning of a solo artist. Dylan plays all of the guitars, drums, bass, vocals, and even mouth trumpet that you hear in his music. He takes lyrics that question life, girls, love, and so much more. At the young age of 10, Dylan began writing music, playing drums and guitar. Over the years his music has progressed. Once Dylan realized that his musical “talent” had gotten to a respectable level, he started writing songs for an album. After downloading some low budget recording software and buying a computer mic, Dylan sat down over the span of a month and recorded his first music release. It was a 5 song EP entitled, “Just The Beginning.” After only selling a few copies, Dylan stopped writing for an album and kept stressing the sales of “Just The Beginning.” However, not being available online or in most stores, getting copies out was hard. Bored with pushing album sales, Dylan went back into the studio. After upgrading his recording software, Dylan re-recorded two of his songs on “Just The Beginning” by adding better guitar, drums, and vocals. About 6 months after “Just The Beginning” released, Dylan was sitting down and doodling when he drew the album artwork for his first full length release entitled “From The City Beautiful.” Without even having any new songs recorded, Dylan got serious and started spreading the word. He didn’t want the same result that “Just The Beginning” had. Thus, he started making shirts with the new album artwork via his online store. Once he spread as much word as he could, Dylan got down and started writing more and more songs. He planned to re-record his previous songs from “Just The Beginning.” After getting a solid 12 song track list, Dylan hit the studio. However, he hit a major road-block that put a 3 month delay on recording. His computer had crashed. He quickly loaded up some recording software onto another computer and kept going. Halfway through completion, Dylan set a March 13th release date. Now he had a deadline and his fans had an answer to their questions of when the album would release. Once all recording and finalizing was finished, he started to work on packing and getting the album online. Then all that was left to do was wait. After waiting for a month, “From The City Beautiful” released and is now in stores and on the web (via DylanRodrigues.co.nr )

I'm influenced by a little bit of everything. Foo Fighters, Switchfoot, Big 10-4, The Format, Bob Marley,
Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Bon Jovi, Between The Trees, Moses Mayfield, Social Distortion. Pretty much any band or artist that is making a living out of music is one of my influences.

Winter Park, Florida.

Guitars -
Epiphone G 310
Squier Tele Custom
Ibanez Acoustic/Electric
Oscar Schmidt OE40 Hollowbody

Drums -
Pacific Drums and Percussion
Zildjian, Pearl, and Wuhan Cymbals

Bass -
Fender Precision Bass

Amps -
Epiphone 10W Junior Amp
Ibanez 15W Acoustic Amp
Ibanez 15W Bass Amp
Stage 100W Guitar/Vocal Amp

My debut album, "From The City Beautiful" is now online for purchase. Just go to www.dylanrodrigues.co.nr, then click merchandise to purchase it. Also check out my MySpace at www.myspace.com/dylanrodriguesmusic Feel free to drop me a friend request.