Dylan Carlson

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Photo of Dylan Carlson by Bruce C. Moore

Dylan Carlson (b. 1968) is the lead guitarist, lead singer, and only constant member of the drone metal group Earth. He was the best friend of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. According to Nick Broomfield, he is the subject of the Nirvana song "In Bloom".

He was born in Seattle, Washington, USA. His father worked for the Department of Defense, and, as a result, as a child he moved quite frequently, living in Philadelphia, Texas, New Mexico, and New Jersey, before coming back to live in Washington state.^[1] He had first become interested in being a rock musician at age 15, inspired by bands such as Molly Hatchet, AC/DC, and Black Sabbath.^[1] He also cites The Melvins, and composers La Monte Young and Terry Riley as major influences on his music.^[2] It was in Olympia, Washington that he met Slim Moon, Greg Babior, Dave Harwell and Joe Preston, whom he later formed Earth with.^[1] During this time, he would often make "sonic collages" with his then roommate Kurt Cobain, and future Bikini Kill member Tobi Vail.^[2] From 1991 to 1996, Earth had an ever-changing lineup. Carlson attributes a lack of (full-length) studio album recordings from 1997 to 2005 to "legal and drug problems".^[3]

Carlson actually purchased the shotgun with which Kurt Cobain allegedly committed suicide, though Cobain gave him the money to do so. Carlson has said that he did not believe Cobain to be suicidal at the time, and that Cobain had told him that the gun was for home protection.^[4]

He was one of the many people interviewed in the Nick Broomfield documentary Kurt & Courtney (1998). He states he regrets appearing in the film, saying "I was mislead about his intentions."^[3]

His girlfriend, Adrienne Davies, is the current drummer for Earth.^[3]