Dylan Jack Moran and bands, Cosmic Empire and Fat Salami, are hosting a “charity bash” in Glasgow on Sunday, March 22.
The music event, which will be held at McChuills, is to raise awareness for kidney disease. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the two charities, the National Kidney Foundation and World Kidney Day.
As a Glasgow-based musician, Dylan has had a personal journey pursuing music while also battling a rare kidney disease, being in and out of the hospital from the age of 23.
Interview with Dylan Jack Moran
Brig sat down with Dylan to talk about the event, the message behind it and what it means to him.
When asked about his relationship to the music scene in Glasgow and his own career, Dylan spoke of his experiences, which led him to ultimately pursue his solo project.
“I’d been going to see different bands, and I’d been very aware of the ongoings and the scene for a number of years, but I’d always held off. You know, until I got sick.”
He continued to explain how “…that was the thing that spurred me on to go ‘ok, I need to get this done. I need to do it right.’”
Coming together for charity
Dylan also spoke of the planning behind a “charity gig”. Having organised events like this in the past, he mentioned how it’s different when it’s for charity.
“So, there was a lot of people willing to help. McChuills, the venue, first of all, offered to do it for free.”
He also explained how the supporting bands, Fat Salami and Cosmic Empire, got involved.
“So, Fat Salami are these really cool guys… They have their own radio show called ‘glass onion’, where they just invite different artists from the Glasgow scene on to talk about their music and stuff…”
Dylan mentions how he later approached them to see if they would want to do a charity event.
“And just as mate to mate, they’ve been like ‘I aye, we’d love to come and support you.’”
As for Cosmic Empire, Dylan met them through a shared producer. He said:
“…I just think they’ve got a really cool sort of sound that just rings true with me.
“And I thought ‘I wonder if they would be up for it’, you know, just on the off chance, and sure enough.”
A “Blend of Bands”
He concludes by saying, “So, it’s like just a cool sort of blend of bands. It’s nothing too far out, you know. It will all go together really well.”
When asked what to expect, Dylan spoke of revitalised 90s influences, psychedelic drony sounds, as well as synth and saxophone.
“And for my own music, I guess it’s like sort of ‘the 60s meets the 90s with a modern twist’. That’s what I like to tell people.”
Balancing health and performing
Dylan also mentioned concerns with his health, having recently had a kidney transplant.
“I guess I am worried about my performance and stuff, because I’ve been in and out of hospital, I’ve not really had adequate time to practice for this.”
“…and because I went through a major operation, they’ve messed about with tubes going down my throat and all that… that’s messed about with my singing, believe it or not.”
Dylan continued by to talk about how, while he knows he may not be able to perform as he has in the past, it is more about the message he wants to send.
“But, again for me it’s about the message we are sending on Sunday, which is obviously like a sort of resilience against that world of being sick. It’s like a sort of standing up to it.”
The message behind it
He elaborated on the event being about more than simply about kidney charities.
“It’s important to me personally because of what I’ve went through… I know that’s what it’s for [kidney charities] because that’s a world I understand.
“What I want it to be is more of a message to the chronically ill, that there is a life beyond hospital beds or a life that’s beyond lab results and white coats.”
Dylan also mentioned that one of the guys in the supporting bands is doing it for someone who is sick in his family.
“…And I think that’s really powerful and strong, and I support him for doing that… it’s just a really lovely positive message,” he said.
In regard to mental health, Dylan is hopeful that this event will be a welcoming space.
“I’ve got a feeling everyone’s going to be very loving and a good atmosphere, you know.
“Usually my gigs are not really a bad atmosphere anyway, but I think for this in particular, because of what’s going on, because of what it’s for… I think it will be a really positive vibe in the air.”
Conclusion
There is no doubt about how necessary spreading awareness of kidney disease is, and the positive impact in doing so.
Dylan said in the interview how the National Kidney Federation have told him how he could save lives through inspiring others. It can be anything from motivating people to get a kidney transplant, donate a kidney or simply just encouraging others to talk about it and spread further awareness. Lastly, he said:
“And do you know what? I might never know the outcome of doing this for somebody. But if they [National Kidney Federation] think it’s going to make a difference… then it’s worth having a crack at it.”
Tickets for the event are available on skiddle.com.
Featured Image Credit: Courteney Pearson
2nd year History & Journalism Student at the University of Stirling. Moved over from Sweden in 2024 to study in Scotland.
