Local Singer/Songwriter Blends Identity and Belief Through Song

Richmond-based singer/songwriter Dylan Dhindsa is carving out a space for queer voices in pop music — with heart, soul, and a message of belonging. On August 15, Dylan releases his fourth single, “Small Heart,” a heartfelt ballad that unpacks the complexities of growing up gay and Christian in a rural Southern town.

“Growing up queer and Christian is a really unique experience,” Dylan says. “So often, you’re told you have to choose. But that’s not really the case. I really do believe that we can see God in all kinds of love.”

“Small Heart” trades the upbeat energy of Dylan’s recent singles for something more introspective and raw. The track blends piano, old-school Wurlitzer keys, and distant church bells. When blended with the chorus, the song really invites listeners to share in his experience:

All love is a gift from above
And God didn’t make us to judge
Small minds will only take you so far
But you won’t get anywhere if you’ve got a small heart.

The lyrics are as much a personal reckoning as they are a message to others who’ve wrestled with identity and faith. Dylan’s music doesn’t ask listeners to choose between queerness and Christianity — it dares to imagine a world where the two not only coexist, but uplift each other.

A Virginia native, Dylan grew up just outside Richmond and spent much of his teen years in community theater before turning to songwriting. Influenced by artists like Conan Gray, Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, and Semler, Dylan's genre-bending style flows effortlessly between indie-pop, worship, and soul. He built his performance chops street-singing in Boston, but his songwriting remains rooted in his small-town upbringing — and the inner questions that never quite left.

With “Small Heart,” Dylan hopes to give voice to kids growing up like he did: queer, full of questions, and dreaming of acceptance. “When I was a kid, so many of the ‘Christians’ I knew weren’t preaching the kind of love that I read about in the Bible,” he says. “I began to have an identity crisis. But I figured myself out, and I hope that my voice helps other kids figure themselves out too.”

Dylan Dhindsa is one to watch — not just for his rising star as a musician, but for the compassion, clarity, and courage he brings to every lyric.

“Small Heart” drops August 15.
Presave the song on Spotify and follow Dylan on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.