Dylan LeBlanc Nabs Neil Young Comparison But Craves His Own Identity

To be likened to Neil Young and Ray LaMontagne after only one album may be enough for some artists, but according to 19-year-old Dylan LeBlanc, "comments are going to come and they're going to go," so the only thing that should shape the music is the artist themself.

"I don't really pay much attention to [comparisons] to be honest with you," LeBlanc tells Spinner. "I think it's nice, but it doesn't bother my music either way. People are going to say good things and they're going to say bad things."

"I don't need to write certain things, or live up to a certain standard just because somebody says something like I sound like Neil Young. I'm not Neil Young. And those people, they're great songwriters, but I'm Dylan LeBlanc."

Signed to Fame Music at age 18, the Louisiana-born singer-songwriter joined the Rough Trade roster for the release of his recent debut, 'Paupers Field.' But despite the critical accolades and his notable allies (singer Emmylou Harris appears on the record), LeBlanc confesses he was in a dark place while making the disc.

"I was just writing songs," he says. "Because that's just all it really is -- just a compiled record. It's not even like we spent six months in the studio making the album, we did it in, like, two weeks scattered over the course of time.

"If I could go back, I would've spent more time with it. I was really messed up. I just needed to record some music; I needed to record some songs. It's not profound by any means, but I feel like I just made an album that stays true to who I am as a person, which is all I can ask for."

Watch Dylan LeBlanc Perform an Acoustic Version of 'Emma Hartley'
As for what he thinks his debut represents, LeBlanc remains candid.

"I think my record represents what anybody wants it to represent. I think it represents a f---ed up 19-year-old kid writing some songs. I hope it represents that we can all help each other in the folk market, and we can all do good things for each other. I think you need people, and you experience certain things with people and you help each other out."

With plans to release a follow-up later this year, LeBlanc looks forward to improving upon his artistry -- though he's "happy with the way it's turning out so far." And he assures fans, that he'll continue to record songs that reflect his own brand of melancholy.

"Musically, I've gotten better," he says. "[I'm] trying to write better songs; I'm trying to work on my mental [health] and not being angry, and being more patient and kind, stuff like that.

"I didn't even realize how personal I was being when I was writing ['Paupers Field']. A lot of the time, I'll create characters to divert myself, but for some reason it just shines through and people are like, 'Man, you're totally writing about yourself.' I write sad songs. I just slap the title on it to make it not sad."