DYLN


Stephanie Lang, currently known by her stage name DYLN and previously known professionally as Stef Lang, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After winning a recording deal through a Canadian radio talent contest in 2006, she released two extended plays before her commercial debut album The Underdog, which saw the success of the single "Mr. Immature". After the release of her second commercial studio album Self and three additional extended plays, Lang adopted the stage name DYLN in 2016 and independently released her debut single under that name the following year, "Better Things", which was well received.

Early life

DYLN was born in 1988 in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The divorce of her parents when she was 5 prompted her to write letters to her mother in an effort to comfort her during the time of separation. DYLN recalls her earliest memories to be a display of heightened arguments between her parents. She credits the divorce as the catalyst that made her a songwriter. “I became sensitive and aware of people's emotions early on. I wrote long letters to make sense of everything for myself. I think the trauma of it made me become a writer because it continues to be my natural way of dealing with things.”

Career

In the spring of 2006, DYLN won The Beat Music Awards, a talent competition hosted by The Beat 94.5, now Virgin Radio. She won a four-song recording deal with Hipjoint Productions. After graduation, she moved to Vancouver, where Hipjoint Productions offered her an internship in the studio to learn more about the music industry. She spent this time honing her songwriting skills and learning how to run the studio. She worked part-time at a local grocery store as a check out clerk while performing at clubs like The Roxy, The Railway Club, The Media Club, The Bourbon, The Main, and The Rusty Gull. She also worked odd jobs as a cashier, retail sales clerk, server, hostess and as an extra on film sets.
At 18, DYLN suffered from severe depression and anxiety, stopping her ability to write or perform for six months. She continued an abusive relationship, which ended up inspiring songs for her debut album.
Within four years, she had written over 250 songs. Two EPs were released, titled Birth and Blood and Bravery.
In the spring of 2009, DYLN penned a publishing deal with Nettwerk One/H-Songs, who launched the careers of Sarah McLachlan and Coldplay. Other world-renowned artists such as Shania Twain, Avril Lavigne, Chantal Kreviazuk, K-OS, Shawn Desman, Raine Maida, Barenaked Ladies, and Sum 41 have called Nettwerk home.
In 2010, her major-label debut album The Underdog earned her two Canadian Radio Music Award Nominations for her single "Mr. Immature". The album was also nominated for Pop Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Her follow-up single "Slave 2 Love" was dubbed the most added song in Canadian Radio that year.

Musical style

The genre of DYLN's music has been described as pop with r&b and electronic undertones. About her songwriting process, she says, "My philosophy is to write real songs," often crediting influences like Kid Cudi and Robyn, whose themes of darkness and sadness have molded her music. She has stated that she writes about "the nature of my own demons or the complications of love.”
DYLN is also a music producer, often producing songs fully on her own. For her unusual skill set, she is often referred to as a "Renaissance woman" among her peers. Her musical style remains arty, while standing on the forefront of contemporary mainstream music. Music blog PressPlayOk referred to her music as having "unforgettable style," and later stated, "Proclaiming this NYC gal as a future pop queen. Not to be missed." Notable music blog Hillydilly wrote, “You ought to know her new song, 'Better Things.' It’s one pulsating and filled with attitude." It was added to their Songs of the Week playlist.

Film & TV song placements

Albums

;Featured in
YearSongCreditsAlbum or EP
2012/13"Rollin'"iSH featuring Stef LangiSH EP Up & Up

Radio success