FSD: So just staying true to what’s going on with you?
Dally Auston: Just staying true to what’s going on now, being realistic with things. If you don’t work hard, you don’t get that shit. Mogs know that! It’s the initiative and understanding, and taking that first step, not thinking about how many steps you gotta take.
FSD: Who’s your biggest competitor? Are you your biggest competition, or do you feel like you hold yourself back in any way?
Dally Auston: Yeah! Even looking at all these dope artists that’s coming, none of the shit scares me because it’s on me at the end of the day. It’s on me.
FSD: How’s being from the west side specifically influenced you? Speaking of how ignorance is bliss, and people haven’t even been downtown; how does seeing that shit everyday play into what you want, and who Dally Auston is?
Dally Auston: I started coming downtown maybe 2010, so 4 years ago. I mean my Mom used to bring me down here, but then it was like a different vibe when you’re around hella kids down here by themselves getting into shit. Smoking weed. It was like a different culture from being in the hood. We tried to make downtown the hood! We just liked to be ignorant down here, because we could! Just seeing people come from different places, I think it’s cool. It opens your eyes to see different shit. To see different people with different aspirations, or see somebody that doesn’t have that much but can still keep a smile on their face. It’s a lot of shit that plays into the Chicago culture, but it’s all about what you get out of it.
Y’all know we lost Damo right? So like even using him as an example. We all have stories about Damo, but he went out the wrong way. He went out so wrong. Doing something stupid, and that was it.
FSD: Dealing with martyrs like that: like Damo and Rod, having these people as inspiration, as people you know could’ve been so much more; how does that play into who you are as a musician and person?
Dally Auston: I think it’s just always something to think about. You never really get a whole understanding on things until later; that’s what revelations are. I had a revelation, but I still don’t know how to grab the Damo thing. Just something to think about.
FSD: Very, very real. We’re about to wrap it up though, is there anything else you want to touch on or say?
Dally Auston: Be you! Do what you want to do. Do it, do it well.
FSD: What would be your biggest piece of advice to your fans, your family as you call them?
Dally Auston: Know who you are.
sweet interview from the journalist and dally
Great interview. I like that it was very in depth and didn’t have the regular “easy” interview questions. It challenged the artist to provide thoughtful answers by digging deeper. Would love to see more interviews like this!