Producer-Singer Duo Dappest & adL Release New Ambient-Pop Single ‘Follow’

Shillong-based singer Dappest and producer adL have been working together since 2019. With 2022’s full-length album At Your Service under their belt, the pair are now out with a new single entitled “Follow.” In this interview with Rolling Stone India, adL talks to us about how the duo came together, their new song “Follow” and future plans. Read below.

When did you guys begin making music together and what can you tell me about your previous releases?

We first made contact with each other in 2019. We shared a common friend circle which eventually led us to discover each other’s passion for the same kind of music and style. We knew we had a similar creative process of approaching music making and that’s how we began sharing ideas and working together on our debut single called ‘Back 2 Back.’

As we embarked on this creative venture, we began to comprehend the immense potential of our collaboration. It became evident that our first single, ‘Back 2 Back’ was merely the tip of the iceberg. The year after, in 2020 during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately started working on a bunch of music that we initially wanted to put out as an EP. During this whole process, we got carried away with the joy of creating music. This eventually resulted in the birth of a full-length 11=track album titled At Your Service.

The concept behind this record was to serve up a diverse musical experience, offering a mix of genres ranging from R&B, soul, Afro beats, Hip-hop, House, and UKG. We intentionally conceptualized this as the overarching theme for the album. Our goal was to stay true to our musical identity while also connecting with listeners from various corners of the soul music world.

When did the new song “Follow” come about and what can you tell me about it?

The song’s overall sonic atmosphere captures the essence of summer concluding and the arrival of the slightly cooler autumn season. Coming from a place like Shillong, we keenly feel the shifts in our environment – be it the changing weather, the mesmerizing sunsets, the seasonal cuisine, or even our clothing choices.

Musically, the chords and bass line in the song bring out a warm, cozy ambiance, complementing the lyrical content delivered by Dap. Lyrically, the song delves into the challenges that arise when pursuing one’s passion, whether it’s a person or a personal interest. It emphasizes that every pursuit presents its unique set of hurdles and obstacles. However, ‘Follow’ underscores the importance of persistence and unwavering belief in one’s journey, transforming the emotional roller-coaster into a rewarding experience.

What’s next?

We’ve spent the past few months working on a collection of music that holds a special place in our hearts. This year has been a thrilling journey of creativity and collaboration, where we’ve valued each other’s ideas as equals, both as a duo and as close friends. This approach has humbled us as individuals and artists.

While we’ve been eager to share our work, we’ve realized the importance of taking our time. We want to create a meaningful and immersive listening experience, rather than focusing solely on keeping up with online content trends. So, we’ve been carefully developing themes for our music, striving for patience, and aiming to surprise our audience with a range of emotions and moods.

We’re excited to take our listeners on a journey be it through our recorded music or live shows that will evoke different feelings along the way.