FREMANTLE-BORN and raised musician Noah Dillon is returning to his hometown this weekend with his new and poignant single addressing toxic masculinity.
He’s a Lad addresses the hyper-masculine archetype of “the lad” – the type of self-centred man who would introduce himself to someone they’d met recently, as Dillon highlights in his pointed lyrics.
The song is thumping and full of energy, iconic of Australian indie rock and accommodates the hefty themes written into the lyrics.
Inspired by a “desperate alpha male” Dillon once came across at a pub, the lyrics of He’s a Lad deliver a scathing critique of the loud and bolshy man who goes to the ends of the earth to prove his strength while ironically exposing his weaknesses and insecurities.
• Noah Dillon. Photo by Ava Wilson
“As I started writing the song, it really made me look at why people who feel these constraints around masculinity end up exhibiting them in strange ways,” Dillon said, “and then I guess like holding a space of empathy for [the desperate alpha male].
“I feel like a lot of the things that we attribute to a masculine identity – like physical strength and a lack of emotional vulnerability – should really be exchanged for strength in being extremely emotional and present and loving and fulfilled and a person that gives themselves wholeheartedly to their friends and family and work.
“I think that’s where real strength lies.”
He’s a Lad is the third single from Dillon’s six-track EP, Soft, which was written in the last year at his studio in Freo’s West End and is described as “a blend of fuzzed-out guitars, layered harmonies, and glistening synth”.
“There’s a common thread through the whole thing about me maturing into softness over strength, and finding strength and softness,” he said, “and practicing unconditional love for myself and my friends and people that have had a good impact on me.
“Letting go is like a big theme [in this album] also, and I think to let go fully, you need to be quite soft and vulnerable.”
Having just come off a tour in Europe, Dillon says he is “so excited” to be performing for the community in which he grew up, and where he writes most of his music.
“I’ve been craving coming back and playing in our hometown,” he said.
“I think it’s impossible not to take inspiration from what’s around you, and all my friends and community are here, so [the album] is all influenced by that.
“I even feel like our weather and what time of the year I write impacts the music, and also our live music scene is a huge inspiration that I draw from a lot.
“It’s all written in right in the middle of Freo.”
Noah Dillon will be performing at Gage Roads as part of their Live and Local sessions this Friday, July 19 (if you’ve got your early Herald), supported by Paint and Dolce Blue.
His new album, Soft, will be released on August 30.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER