Limelight Records, Elon University’s student-run label, hosted its first listening party in honor of artist and junior Dylan Rockwell’s new, original EP released at Trollinger House Oct. 16.
Limelight signs student musicians and works with them to produce, record, release and market their music. The label helps promote quality music through blogs and WSOE, Elon’s student radio station.
Dylan Rockwell, whose real name is Dylan Fitchett, worked on the EP with his band. Rockwell said the self-titled EP has an acoustic feel with some elements of country and ‘70s pop. Junior Frederic Tully, Rockwell’s manager, said Rockwell’s sound is a mix between John Mayer and Radiohead.
“Ben [Soldate, 2013 alum and producer] pulled a number of musicians in to play on the record, including Jacob Danieley, who is an Elon alum and a noted producer, engineer and guitarist, to play pedal steel on a few tracks on the EP,” said senior Parker Ulry, Limelight president.
Rockwell and his band’s recent success has not gone unnoticed by the Elon student population.
“Since putting out the EP, we’ve gotten strong feedback from everyone that has heard it,” Ulry said. “Moving forward, we’re looking to get Dylan outside of Elon to play some shows to get his name out a little more.”
Tully said he is excited about how professionally engineered the record came out and how Elon alumni helped with the EP.
“I think for Dylan to put something out that is so well done for his first album is huge,” Tully said.
Rockwell said he spent hours working with Soldate to find arrangements for his songs.
“Tracking even one song takes a lot of manpower because you need to find and bring in good musicians who play the instruments you don’t play yourself, which for me were drums, keyboard, pedal steel and bass,” Rockwell said.
The listening party turnout combined Limelight staff and fans and Rockwell said he was happy with the turnout.
“I finally have something I can refer people to as an example of my music instead of relying on live performances,” Rockwell said.