Dawson Westfall

Born on May 18, 2005, Dawson Westfall grew up in Boone, Iowa, where a love for music took root early. He began playing guitar at 14 during the COVID-19 pandemic, using isolation as a catalyst for creativity. After becoming a Christian at 16, Dawson started performing live on worship teams. This experience sparked his passion for playing in front of others and shaped his approach to songwriting and performance.

By his freshman year of college, Dawson was playing at church camps and performing locally with a band formed alongside high school friends. In his sophomore year, he turned his focus toward writing original material, briefly exploring another band project before ultimately choosing to pursue a solo path.

Influenced by artists such as <a href="spotify:artist:4ApdWjZjftqD77Vh6qDbCr" data-name="Pedro The Lion">Pedro The Lion</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3OyC0tKaejLvZHB4s78zED" data-name="Starflyer 59">Starflyer 59</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2ApaG60P4r0yhBoDCGD8YG" data-name="Elliott Smith">Elliott Smith</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:2EJpeCmBlwSNpb1GcTj1xp" data-name="Hayden">Hayden</a>, Dawson’s solo debut <a href="spotify:album:2I79y3PTVhpR8VBaiwMnvl" data-name="I Got By">I Got By</a> is a concept record that traces the chronology of the most transformative year of his life. Exploring themes of faith, relationships, travel, and new friendships, the album functions as a personal journal, an honest reflection of growth and change. Through these songs, Dawson hopes his story might resonate with others, just as the music that shaped him has done for years.