How DallasK and Lauv’s Friendship Blossomed into a Song

The two artists bring together their creative forces to produce DallasK’s “Try Again”

⊕DallasK is one of the most exciting names to watch and this release with longtime friend, Lauv proves just that. Just last week the pair released “Try Again,” an upbeat single that looks to rekindle old romances (which some argue, were never really over).  

“When you’re building love or friendship with someone it’s easy to put your own needs second for the sake of the other person or you two together,” explained Dallas from Chicago, where he and Lauv were getting ready for Lollapalooza. “I think when you’re not in touch with that it can create distance between you and that person and sometimes can even ruin the relationship.” 

Yet “Try Again” is not the first collaboration between the two artists. In 2016, the pair first got together to produce Lauv’s single “Breathe” and then a few years later, Dallas helped co-produce a few songs off Lauv’s EP Without You

“We have probably made hundreds of songs together and this point,” said Lauv. “I think it is really special that we finally have a song we’ve released as a collab together, it’s a big moment for both of us and a celebration of our friendship.”

Read below for our exclusive interview with Dallas and Lauv for more insight into the pair’s latest project. 

VMAN: First congrats on “Try Again”! Dallas, what were some of the themes or ideas you wanted to explore in this single? What’s the meaning behind titling it “Try Again”? 

DALLASK: Thank you! This is a super special record to me because I got to make it with one of my best friends and it’s in a musical space we haven’t explored often, house music. From a lyrical perspective, to me, “Try Again” represents an idea that I think everyone can relate to: realizing that you’ve made a mistake in a relationship and asking for that forgiveness and a second chance. Nobody is perfect so it’s also about accepting that in yourself and having the courage to admit it. 

VM: Lauv, how did you guys initially meet each other? And how did this collaboration come about?  

LAUV: Dallas and I met the first time I came out to LA for a proper songwriting trip. I was still in college and one of our mutual friends set us up to write and we just hit it off from there. We became best friends and wrote a ton of songs together for both albums I have out right now. Dallas is working with me on my upcoming album as well.

VM: Dallas, what’s the process of recording with you two?

D: Lauv and I have a pretty fluid, ever changing process for writing and recording. It depends on how we’re feeling and what the goal is, but usually I’ll pull up a synth sound or guitar or bass and either one of us plays chords or something that inspires us. From there we will usually build out a loop, sometimes with drums, sometimes without, and then usually Lauv will get on the mic and record melodies. The songs usually come from what we connect with in those takes, Lauv has an amazing and unique talent for flushing out melodic ideas with lyrics when he’s free styling on the mic. So from there we usually put the parts together and build the song out. 

VM: When I was listening to the song the lyric “I know we lost touch, somewhere between, Worrying about us and worrying about me” stood out. Dallas, what ideas did you want to express and tell fans? 

D: For me, this is one of the hardest parts of relationships, not even specifically only romantic relationships. When you’re building love or friendship with someone it’s easy to put your own needs second for the sake of the other person or you two together. I think when you’re not in touch with that it can create distance between you and that person and sometimes can even ruin the relationship. So in the case of this song, that’s what happened and it’s about understanding it.

VM: Lauv, what’s one of your favorite moments working with Dallas? 

L: Working on “Try Again” was definitely a favorite moment. When we were writing this song with Michael Pollack, who is an insanely talented songwriter, we were in Florida, rented a lake house and made songs all day and night.

VM: Dallas, do you have a favorite moment?

D: It’s hard to pick a favorite, we worked a ton last year and I think one of my favorite moments was when we would be so into what we were working on and it would be 3am. Lauv lives 3 minutes from me but he would just pass out on the couch in my studio and then we would get up the next day and just keep working the next morning. It’s such a great feeling when you’re on a roll creating music with friends like that. 

VM: Lauv — you’ve collaborated with various other artists, but I’m curious — what’s unique about working with Dallas? 

L: The friendship – we just love being together and hanging out. We have probably made hundreds of songs together and this point. I’ve talked to Dallas about literally everything in my life and he has done the same. I think it is really special that we finally have a song we’ve released as a collab together, it’s a big moment for both of us and a celebration of our friendship.

VM: Alright, I think that’s it for me unless you guys have anything else you like to add. Anything we didn’t cover you would want readers and fans to know?

L: We are chatting to you live from Lollapalooza: we love the fans very much and are so glad “Try Again” is finally out. I can’t wait for you to hear what is next for both of us. Thank you VMAN for supporting us and for the interview.

D: Well as a collaborator and fan, I know Lauv’s next music and project is going to be incredible so everyone should be looking out for that. And for me, I have more singles with incredible artists and singers coming out and will be announcing tour dates ASAP! 

Dallas photographed by Brandon Phillips

You can stream “Try Again” on all streaming platforms.

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