We recently connected with D_XTER FOREVER and have shared our conversation below.

D_XTER FOREVER, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The month was April, the year was 2023, when we (Dex and Dyl) curated, produced and put on their very own culture and arts festival featuring the debut live performance of D_XTER FOREVER. The event was a collaboration between D_XTER FOREVER and a group of artists and creatives nearest and dearest to our hearts. There was a painter, a tattoo artist, a coffee guru, a vegan burger master duo, and a super suave sunglasses designer and seller to boot. We, of course, dubbed the event “FIRST TIME FOR_VER FEST” because this was our first time ever putting on a live show and, well, you know what they say… you can never make a second first impression.

Organizing an event like FIRST TIME FOR_VER FEST comes with a loooong list of “to-dos” in order to be successful, and it was well worth it! We (Dyl and Dex) were quite ambitious, deciding to headline and host our own event for our first live show, but the process made the experience all the more magical for us and our 100+ attendees (a sold out show!!)

Why did we host our own event instead of performing at an established venue? There were more than a few occasions when we were asking ourselves the same question, and the answer always rang true. Both of us (Dex and Dyl) have played at plenty of LA venues to know that oftentimes it can feel a little constrained. Shows always run late (very late) and, well, we need our sleep (9pm is our bedtime..at the latest). Not only that, but set up times are rushed, parking is limited, and the general ambience is restricted to the venue’s sound system and decor.

For our very first show, we wanted something different: D_XTER FOREVER inspired aesthetics and vibe. Instead of pressuring our friends to pay a hefty ticket price, buy drinks, stay up late, and attempt to socialize in a loud dark room, we wanted to provide them with an opportunity to meet some cool people and socialize in a relaxed outdoor space while indulging in good food, good drinks, and good art. Not only that, it was our mission to create an event that ensured we were in bed by 9pm. Spoiler alert: we got what we wanted. FIRST TIME FOR_VER FEST started at 1pm and ended by 5pm (tear down not included).

The event was hosted at Seed Atlas Studio (www.seedatlasstudios.com), our friend’s brand new (and shiny!) peer space in Woodland Hills. The indoor-outdoor location provided the perfect set up for hosting our crafty crew of collaborators and clever creators. Upon entering the venue, ticket holders were welcomed to an iconic red carpet experience with a special D_XTER FOREVER photo opp (including a cloud background, props, and all!).

Venturing further into Seed Atlas Studio, guests were greeted by a live DJ, a gorgeous gallery display by the one and only Wyatt Bunce (Voted Critics Quarterly Magazine’s 2017 ‘Bad Boy Artist of the Year’) (www.artbywyatt.com), flash tattooing by the masterful Matt Fellows (www.blackscraps.com), sunglasses by the whimsical Wavey (www.shopwavey.com), craft cold brew coffee by the fabulous Found Coffee (www.foundcoffeela.com), and delectable Mediterranean burgers from Beewali’s Vegan AF (www.beewalisveganaf.com). Our explosive and colorful pop performance began on stage (yep, we rented a stage) promptly at 3pm and included an introduction and dance lesson by our fabulous choreographer Diego Gasca (@daddydiegz).

Our first show went, to be frank, flawlessly. We prepared our live set up rig, rehearsed, and rehearsed some more for weeks (no, months!) leading up to the festival. During our performance, we sang, we danced, we played synths, we wore cloud suits against a cloud background, we launched confetti cannons, and we introduced D_XTER FOREVER’s current discography via our vibrant 45 minute set.

All of our hard work paid off in the end and we’re grateful to our friends and fans who supported us along the way (Special thanks to our fabulous day-of-coordinator, Chandler Nason)! Who knows? Maybe you’ll hear about a SECOND TIME FOR_VER FEST soon. After all, you can never make a second second impression.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

D_XTER FOREVER consists of Dex and Dyl, two classically trained musicians who are inspired by the colorful sounds of synth pop. We’re a Los Angeles based-band trying to connect with the humanoids and spread joy through pop music and hip jiving dance moves. Inspired by the 80’s, raised by the 90’s, and blooming in the 21st century D_XTER FOREVER brings a synth heavy and energetic sound accompanied by visuals filled with keytars, dancing, fanny packs, high waisted jeans, matching D_XTER FOREVER converse, and tightly fitted turtlenecks.

In our two short years as a band, we’ve released a series of music videos, including two videos created and produced by our brothers Skylar and Canon at Radfox (@radfoxfilms) and one directed by Daring Director Jonah Z Helms (@jonahzhelms) (Search “D_XTER FOREVER – Feel Your Love” and “D_XTER FOREVER – lately” on Youtube!). We’ve also learned how to dance with our choreographer Daddy Diego Gasca (@daddydieqz) and we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Master Mixer Matt Weiss (@weisssound) (Our mix and mastering engineer), Graphic Guru Matt Fellows (@blackscraps) (Our logo designer), Wavy’s Sunglasses, Ashley Senecal (@shop.wavy) (Creator of our very own “D_XTER FOREVER x Wavey” sunglasses), our hairstylist/photographer Brianna Simpson (@journeying.with.bri.ayla), photographer Ben Rios (@lzd.kng), and photographer Michael Valentine (@mackayvalentine).

If we can put a smile on your face and a little movement in your hips, consider us content. So, buckle up beautiful beings, we continue to create and we’re aiming to release much more music and we couldn’t be more excited to share the fun!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Both of us (Dex and Dyl) are classically trained musicians. We studied voice (Dex) and piano performance (Dyl) at University before landing in our current careers (Dex is a professional actor, climbing coach, and fear coach; Dyl is a tax accountant). No matter which direction life pulls us (And even if we aren’t working in music at our 9-5 jobs), music is at the core of who we are.

We’ve both had the opportunity to collaborate with many musicians over the years, but as any active songwriters and producers know, it’s challenging to find collaborators that align with your sound, work ethic, and vision. Lucky us, we found each other (we swiped right/ it’s a match)!

Our initial music sessions as a duo were a success and planted the seeds for the creation of our current image and sound as a band. After a few sessions at Dyl’s studio/rehearsal space in Lincoln Heights, we ventured to Joshua Tree for a full production and writing retreat. Dyl brought his iMac, Adams A7Xs, his Summit Novation, and a few Casio Keyboards; Dex brought bags of composition notebooks filled with his poetry and lyrics from the last decade.

It was no surprise that we (Dex and Dyl) found inspiration in the desert that week. Dex pulled out a notebook with the very FIRST poem he ever wrote (from his moody high school days) and Dyl laid down a drum beat and synth line. Dyl encouraged Dex to sing in falsetto over his lead line (not usually taught at University) and Dex told Dyl to add an arp pluck to accompany his vocal. An hour later, “Feel Your Love” was complete and Dex and Dyl had discovered a sound and style that resonated and brought Dex’s lyrics to life. D_XTER FOREVER was born and our love and desire to create positive, uplifting, and energetic music motivates us to continue creating.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

If you haven’t picked up on it already, we love creating. Creating as a duo is even more rewarding. Creating with the support of our many talented and creative friends (the directors, cinematographers, photographers, choreographers, photographers, and hair stylists who have helped us to bring our music and visuals to life) is the most rewarding. We’re grateful for all of our accomplishments in just two years of forming D_XTER FOREVER and hope to catch you on the airwaves in Los Angeles soon.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dxterforever.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_xterforever/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@d_xterforever

Image Credits
Brianna Simpson (@journeying.with.bri.ayla) Ben Rios (@lzd.kng) Michael Valentine (@mackayvalentine) Molly Adams (@mollyomagic)