Emerging indie-pop artist Dawson Fuss dropped his debut track, ‘Hey You,’ on April 9th. Written about the complicated feelings we all go through post-breakup, he brings a refreshing twist to the evergreen subject of love and loss, while he reflects on how the isolation caused by the pandemic played a part in this heartbreak.
“I wrote this song following my first serious relationship that unfortunately ended because of emotional and physical distance caused by the isolation of COVID-19,” he says. Dawson Fuss pairs passionate vocals with a raw vulnerability that’s rarely seen at his age.
A Santa Barbara native, Dawson began humming along to songs on the radio before he could speak. At five, he began starring in local musical productions and other theater programs, propelling him to pursue a career in music where he can transform emotions into lyrics through songwriting. “I come to life whenever I can perform in front of an audience,” Dawson says.
As he matured, Dawson’s passion for music has continued to flourish. He’s performed at his school in two choirs and an a cappella group, and most recently placed in the top-three in the local singing competition Teen Star Santa Barbara, judged by American Idol’s Randy Jackson. After showcasing his original song, ‘Real Boys Don’t Cry,’ Jackson proclaimed of Dawson, “a star is born.” His music explores themes of confusion and challenges as he struggles with the difficulties of adolescence and balancing the sharp edge between being a kid and becoming an adult.
When Dawson isn’t creating music, he’s exploring other mediums of art that he’s passionate about, including photography and cinematography. Dawson directed and edited the soon-to-be-released music video for ‘Hey You,’ aptly reflecting his enthusiasm for various artistic means of expression. Dawson continues to develop his unique voice through collaborations with writers Luke Matthew, Will Everett, and Erland Wanberg. Stay tuned for new music from Dawson Fuss in the coming months!