After releasing her debut EP Neukölln Nights, dedicated to a haunted summer love, Berlin-based singer-songwriter D’aria embarks on a new project that explores her identity outside of relationships. In a world where playing rough is the norm, D’aria is the exception to the rule. Her vulnerable and honest lyrics often point to herself before others. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Winona Oak, King Princess, BANKS and Halsey, D’arias’ candid pop sound and straightforward lyrics are composed of introspective dilemmas from her life. Outside of the pop genre, D’aria has made a name for herself as a top-liner in collaboration with Italian producer and Dj Latteo. She hopes to continue to blur the lines between traditional composition and electronic music.
I have had the pleasure of speaking with her. and this has been the result.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music? Was it all internet based?
Hi Como Las Grecas, thank you for reaching out!
I was born in Berlin, but moved around Germany a lot as a child. After school I decided to spend a year in Italy before coming back to Berlin which feels the most like home to me. I feel like I’ve gotten to experience various music scenes this way, from small town choir and theater productions to big city chaos that leaves you feeling like a little fish in the sea.
My first memory of getting into music was making up songs with my best friend in primary school about the classmates we liked or despised at the time. Who knew that would have led me to become a songwriter one day!
Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?
Taylor Swift has been one of the biggest inspirations in my life since my early teenage years. She continues to be an immense influence in my perception of storytelling and my will to persevere in the industry.
Recently I have also noticed how my Russian roots have influenced my melody writing. I am half Russian, so it might be the lullabies I fell asleep to as a child or maybe something else. But I can’t say no to a bittersweet minor melody.
How would you define your sound?
I would define my sound as lyric based dark pop with a hint of drama. (Well, maybe more than just a hint.)
I’d say my sound has become a little bit better to digest without losing it’s dramatic arch. I used to have quite a maximalist style – adding detail after detail until a song would sound like a mash up of three songs. While I’m still an oversharer at my core, I’m slowly starting to appreciate room for interpretation in my lyrics and a cleaner sound in my production now.
What can you tell us about your last job? What inspired you? What do you want to convey?
With my last project (my debut EP Neukölln Nights) the narrative was revolving around one specific person. It was a linear project with the intent to tell a story from start to finish as truthfully as I remembered. I have been making music here and there for my whole life, but that EP helped me introduce myself as the artist I strive to become. It was a very emotional, raw and cathartic project for me.
What can you tell us about each song that makes up your latest work? What is hidden behind?
With this project I explore my own narrative a little more apart from any tragic love story (which is usually my favorite subject). I wanted to look inward and understand my relationship to loneliness. It’s a big word that is being thrown around a lot in music – but what does it mean to me? The concept of a two-side single helped me to shine a light on the same theme from two different perspectives.
The first song ‘Discussions With Myself’ dives into an inner conflict – if I portray myself as this empowered confident woman, am I even allowed to long for love? It’s an ironic take on modern loneliness.
The second song ‘A Letter To My Future Lover’ takes the perspective of someone who is used to losing parts of herself in relationships, but is ready to break this cycle. I kinda wrote it as an instruction manual for myself and others on how I wish to be loved.
How are you living the current situation because of COVID? Has your work affected you a lot? Do you think there is hope? I feel like the underground scene will continue to persist.
Until late last year I was still finishing my studies. Even though most of my courses were online and it felt isolating at times, it helped me to have this safety net of being a student in a time where most musicians were losing work opportunities. I do think there is hope, because artists are creative people and we persevere under the worst circumstances. My EP was produced on skype calls between Italy and Germany and somehow I only got closer to the people I love as friends and collaborators.
What projects are you working on right now?
I just wrapped the music video shoot for my current project a couple of days ago, so I feel like I’m still coming down from that incredible experience. I’m also continuing to collaborate with long time friend Latteo on some tracks for his deep house project. This summer I hope to finally play some concerts, it’s been a while! And after that you can bet on me coming up with another concept to release 😉
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