Darja – Thinking About You

By starrymag | May 26, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Urban Electronic Indie Pop at times including elements of Dance and House.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Ellie Goulding, Rihanna and Lana Del Rey, but I also grew up heavily influenced by the legendary trifecta: Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Thinking About You.”

 

A) “Thinking About You” was a collaboration with Alvin Anthony and Kaballier Music. Alvin and I met up one day in NYC to co-write and vibe together. This song came together in two hours and when Carlos Chepo and Luis Abril of Kaballier Music in Colombia reached out to me to create the production it was a done deal. They created the exact vibe Alvin and I were going for and we are very happy with how it came out.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) This song is about a relationship in the big city where everyone is ambitious and has dreams and temptations are on every corner. This song is very relatable to our fans because it’s talking about that on and off relationship where you know that most probably this person is not quite right for you but you don’t want to give up because you don’t want to spend the rest of your life thinking “What if…” What if I had tried just a little harder? What if I had said the right things?

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) Filming a music video with NYC as the backdrop has been a long-standing dream of mine. The energy the people of this city bring is one of a kind. The opportunities and the dreams it ignites is priceless, but at the same time this city can swallow you up whole and destroy you if you let it. Living here I feel like you always end up being tempted to play with fire and walk on the edge. So, to me, this music video is the perfect reflection of the loneliness you can experience in an unstable relationship.

 

Q) In what ways has your time living in New York influenced your music?

 

A) In many ways. My life in NYC will forever be part of my creative process.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) It can go both ways sometimes. My favorite way of writing is at my piano at home. When I play a new chord progression it’s like working with a blank piece of canvas and then I start painting…I let it come to me. Sometimes; however, a particular lyric will come to me…like right now when I wrote “What If” earlier…it did something to me and I am already thinking this might be a good song title to work with next.

 

Q) Alvin Anthony helped produce the song, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) My collaboration with Alvin Anthony was a special scenario that doesn’t happen often. We co-wrote the melody and the lyrics, but then started looking for producers to do the production. In this case, Kaballier Music delivered an amazing take on the song and we were super excited when they sent us the finished track. Normally; however, I write my songs at the piano and then start working with a production team here – Matt Anthony and Kathy Sommer – and together we bring my work to live. “Darkest Blue” and “Surrender,” which I will be releasing soon, were produced with them. I have learned so much over the years when it comes to music production and to me it’s always a very special process. I am definitely heavily involved because these are my works of art coming to life. Ultimately, it’s a collaboration and a lot of trust goes into the knowledge and opinion of my producers, but if I hear a certain instrument that I know needs to be in a certain spot we will explore it. It is by far the most incredible creative process. I currently have a song in the works that I already know will require a massive live orchestra and I can’t wait to record that.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) Definitely. I would love to release an EP this year, but with the current situation I am not sure when I will be able to get back into the studio again. Fingers crossed it will be soon. In the meantime, while I am self-isolating I am focusing on writing as many songs as possible.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I loved my performance at the Bowery Electric. The sound quality the sound technician produces there is incredible and it was also the first time I performed for a crowd live with my piano, which was magical.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Oh, there are so many people I would love to work with…but to work with Ellie Goulding’s producers and co-writers would be a dream. Also, I would love to work with James Bay. His music is transcending.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I am currently obsessed with James Bay. The way he writes and uses his vocals is just incredible.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I love social media. It has facilitated so many amazing collabs for me and I find it amazing that I can connect with people all over the world right from my home. The other day I was doing a live session and someone requested to join my video. The internet connection on their end was not good, unfortunately, but it definitely looked like it was a land far away. I also think it’s important for my fans to see my everyday life and to see that I am just another human being who likes to create and share music.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for all the love and support I have been getting from you over the years, because that’s what keeps me going and motivates me to keep creating. It is your feedback and you sharing your stories with me, that fuel my creativity every day. I am forever grateful to you, I love you all and wish you success always.