Artist Interview: Outstanding Folk Singer Songwriter Darryl Rahn on his new album Dusk

I don’t actually remember the first time I found Darryl Rahn’s music, but he’s one of those songwriters that has wormed his way right into my soul. His music not only expresses interesting ideas, but it seems to also make me feel a connection to characters that I’ve never met. I got a chance to chat with him back during the pandemic, but this new conversation was much brighter. There was great excitement about the new album, frantic questions about music inspiration, and, in short, a buzz about creativity that permeated our conversation. I’m delighted to share some of that energy and excitement with our readership.

Rahn’s latest album Dusk represents a wonderful snapshot of where he’s at in his songwriting progression. It’s a bit more advanced, more nuanced, and overall polished than his earlier work. From first listen, I was hooked. I reached out for an interview because I wanted to know more about the story of this great new work. I liked his older stuff, but this… this feels different… and why?

Rahn explained that he’s “more honest with myself when making a record.” He discussed a bit about the process of picking songs for an album, knowing when they all fit together honestly. Rahn’s in a good spot with his music, with each year building on the last. He’s located in Brooklyn with a good music community that supports him while he supports them. In fact, our interview was on a stop along a tour where he’s supporting a fellow artist. He’s doing the thing — he’s a working musician.

The process of creating Dusk all began in his bedroom. The songs were ideas that turned into acoustic tracks before being shipped off to multiple studios, allowing the mixing engineer to bring it together for a cohesive sound. And let me interject here for a moment and say that Dusk sounds amazing from start to finish. That “cohesive sound” is precisely why I wanted to know more about it. Rahn added that the process is a bit of “chaos” but they made it work.

I spent a bit too long rambling about how I feel like Rahn has developed a signature style. You never hear a Darryl Rahn song and ask “who is that?” It’s clear from start to finish that it’s his style from the guitar to the vocal and especially the lyrics. I asked what influenced the development of that style. Rahn chuckled at the names I threw out at him like Tom Petty and Gregory Alan Isakov, but he said, humbly, that “if the influences shine through, it’s unintentional.” He explained that he sometimes tries to write as another artist as an exercise, but if he does it seriously they never pan out. Then he said something profound, “the songs I keep come from somewhere else. I can tell if it’s not true.” Wow. But you know what? We can too. That’s what discerning musicians hear… and feel when a song pulls you in. Every track on Dusk has that ability to pull the listener into the narrative.

I used my interviewer’s perk and ask about my favorite tracks on the album. When I drooled over the “delicious” steel guitar on “Easier by Now,” Rahn explained that it was performed by Jack McLaughlin, who plays steel guitar in Rahn’s touring band. He said he sent the track to McLaughlin with the instruction to “just paint over this” and boy did he ever. It’s one of the best parts on the whole album and sets “Easier by Now” as one of the best (if not the best) track on a stellar album. (Aside: my personal favorite is “Still Apart,” but that probably has to do with my own connection with the lyrics. That said… you all should listen to it because it has an Adam Melchor style with a rip-your-soul-out-and-dance-with-it message.)

“Make It Last Forever” is the lead single on the album, so you may have already heard it. It’s a new step for Rahn’s songwriting, by his own admission, as he’s stepping out of his comfort zone. It’s a piano-driven track with expressive lyrics and an emotional center to it that captures the listener immediately. There’s such sincerity to it, making it hard to ignore. We also talked a bit about “The Pharmacist,” a song he wrote about his hard-working mother. He drew connections with life as a musician, making for a relatable and beautiful song. And let me tell you it was good before, but knowing it’s about his mom made it all the more special listening again.

Our conversation bounced back to influences, where we talked about our shared love for the incomparable John Prine. As we gushed about his songwriting, Rahn said of Prine, “nobody can deny him… he’s a mainstay influence.” And, more directly to the point of Dusk, Prine was a direct influence to Rahn’s writing on “Heaven Is a Dive Bar.” If you haven’t heard that one, grab a drink and prepare to crack a smile and still relate to it. Even in the midst of the comedy, the track holds a significant kernel of truth. Let me just say I’m sure Handsome Johnny would be proud of that one.

If you’re curious what Rahn’s listening to these days, he mention Fruit Bats as his longtime favorite band alongside superstar Kacey Musgraves and poppy LA-based singer songwriter Annika Bennett. He was comfortable talking about these artists and how they continue to shape and inspire his own art. It was like asking him to talk about his best friends. You can tell Rahn is most comfortable in the company of artists and the context of good music.

Cool, confident, and happy with his spot right now, he wasn’t too eager to plug anything or glorify the hustle. He just explained that he’ll be “here forever making songs.” He’s got a few music videos and live tracks coming soon, but his most important message for his fans, new and old alike, is that this album isn’t just about wallowing in a feeling. It’s about finding the “light at the end of every tunnel.” That message comes through in the optimistic energy of every track. The chord choices, the bright melodies, and especially the lyrics all acknowledge the pain that we experience, but it points the audience to the positive on the other side.

See what I mean? I love Darryl Rahn’s art and the heart behind it. He’s good people. Dusk contributes to his musical legacy with an outstanding new collection of songs.

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