Your poison is just vanity’: Dahlia’s debut double single is a lament for the emotionally drained.
Interview conducted March 25, 2021
By Dan Locke
Haunting yet vulnerable, Dahlia debuts with a double single ‘Clarity’. Dahlia’s voice glides over Jordan Russell Hall’s production of lush synths and trip-hop inspired drums to create a unique blend of witch house and melancholic pop. In the first song ‘clarity’ Dahlia sings about her experience watching loved one’s struggle with their mental health while the second song ‘slip slowly’ is an introspective look into her own struggles with mental illness.
What is your upbringing?
I grew up in Edinburgh and went to a Gaelic school so music was a big part of my life from an early age. I started by singing in Gaelic choirs and performing traditional Gaelic music. But then at home, my mum and dad would play everything from The Stranglers to Portishead.
How did you discover that you don’t have to play an instrument in order to be a songwriter?
I mean rappers have been doing it for years. You’ve got the MC who writes the lyrics and melodies and then there’s a producer who’d make the beats. I think it’s just about finding people to collaborate with, I’ve always worked best when I can bounce off someone. At the same time though I hate writing in the same room as someone so working remotely with a producer is ideal!
How did you get your first guitar?
I have never played guitar. But I did play Clarsach (harp) when I was younger and I used to play a 36 string Pilgrim Lever Clarsach.
Over lockdown I bought a wee 22 string so I’ve been trying to teach myself how to play again cause it’s been so long.
How did your band form?
Kind of accidentally. Jordan and I got chatting about music at a friend’s Halloween party and then I think a couple of days later he messaged me asking if I had any tracks, I wanted to send him. So, I sent him some dodgy logic demos and then he sent back a trip-hop dream. And we just kept sending things back and forth, and now that’s just how we work all the time. Then once we had a few songs we thought we should probably figure out how to do this live and that’s when another mutual friend and drummer Jamie got involved. Jamie also happens to be a great filmmaker so he did the visuals for our ‘Every time’ cover and for our upcoming Tatu cover.
How did you get your bands name?
I wish this was a more exciting story but I just liked flower and thought that suits the style of music.
Describe your music.
In short witch-house. We take a lot of inspiration from 90s trip-hop, trap production, hyper-pop and then throw a harp on it for good measure. But I think witch-house best encompasses what we do.
What was your first performance at like?
We haven’t actually performed all together yet. We kind of needed to get the songs finished first cause we wanted to make sure all the drum sounds, samples, and synths are perfect. And then Covid happened just as we were kind of getting ready to book gigs.
But we’ve got some very big ideas for when I finally do get to perform!
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
I don’t
What makes a good songwriter?
I think authenticity and vulnerability. Particularly when I was starting out, I would spend so much time worrying about sounding a certain way and not writing about certain things because I was uncomfortable sharing those sides of myself. As I’ve started to let go of that I think my songwriting has definitely gotten stronger and bolder. I’ve also think it’s important not to overcomplicate it, sometimes the sky is just blue.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
The Looking Glass. I did record it but I don’t think it’s uploaded anywhere.
What is the process of writing your music?
Chaotic. I wish I was one of those people who could just sit and focus on one song for an extended period of time but I literally have 3 logic files open at once and I bounce between each of them. I generally start with melody and then the lyrics and then go back and tweak the melody to fit the lyrics better. I used to just find loops on splice and work from there but nowadays Jordan sends me beats and I write over the top and do some dodgy vocal production and we just kind of send it back and forth till it’s finished.
What software do you use to write your music?
I’m a logic gal.
How was it to be a part of The Road to the 100 Club Campaign?
Honestly a bit strange because I hadn’t quite realized what I’d gotten myself into. I think it was like my third week of living in London so I decided to sign up for some jam nights. And I hadn’t clocked that this one was an actual competition so I just went along sang some Fleetwood Mac and then I won a bottle of Jack Daniels which was lovely. But it was a great experience to just get up and sing with a bunch of people I’d never met before let alone performed with.
You did “Everytime” by Britney. Did you get the chance to see her special “Framing Britney Spears”?
I haven’t actually seen the documentary yet, but I’ve been following her story and it’s so upsetting to see how much the media fails young women. I’ve always been a huge Britney fan and have always felt uncomfortable with how people talk about her struggles with mental illness and I think the media has a lot to answer for.
Your double single is a frank view of mental illness. How big has Covid-19 affect the mental health of the world?
Oh, wow I mean I could do a 10-episode Netflix special on this. But in short, I think it’s shown us how flawed western society is. I can’t really speak for the rest of the world but in the UK, I think it’s just shown how important it is to have people in power who care about the welfare of people and not the economy.
How was it to work with Jordan Russell?
It’s great! He’s constantly finding new inspiration and new weird ways to produce things which is a dream!
You first EP comes out later this year. What is your favorite track on your album?
Definitely, a song called ‘Bottom Rock’. It’s just so pretty and delicate which is such a contrast to everything else we do. It’s got some really gorgeous harp parts and I get to flex my Gaelic skills so it’s kind of the perfect marriage of my upbringing and my present!
How do you stay healthy while performing?
It’s not the most groundbreaking tip but I just always make sure I’m drinking plenty of water! Like just when you think you’ve drunk enough drink more.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I think streaming itself is not bad, it makes music more accessible cause it allows people to hear music they might not have otherwise. Also, it kind of puts the power back into the fans hands rather than radio stations telling you what to listen to. But having said that the current format does not benefit musicians AT ALL. And the big labels still have control over editorial playlists which again is not good for independent artists. I think things like Bandcamp are amazing cause it’s kind of best of both worlds and the pay what you can feature makes it more accessible.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I don’t think so.
Digital vs. vinyl?
Digital but only cause I can’t carry vinyl in my pocket.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
‘Breathing’ by Kate Bush. My dad introduced me to her when I was 16, I think and I just became obsessed. She was my gateway to experimental music for sure and she’s still a huge influence on how I write and make music. ‘Breathing’ in particular is such an incredibly written song. Kate Bush has is such an amazing storyteller and every production choice she makes is so meticulous and always enhances the story. Especially in a song like this, that’s got such an intense subject matter but she leaves so much space which helps the song “breath” as it where.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I think musicians have proven how resourceful we are so whatever happens we’ll bounce back. But in order for that to happen, we also need funding and we need the public to support independent artists in the same way they’ve supported independent businesses.
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
Trying to write and record at home when I have the energy but I think nows, not the time to be putting too much pressure on ourselves to be creative. Having said that I have recorded a new cover which I’m very excited to release next month!
Tell me about your photography? Where can you find you work?
The closest thing to photography I do is taking photos to my Instagram.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
I did actually I got really into embroidery and painting furniture over lockdown which was fun!
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
Wow I hadn’t actually heard of that, but I’ve also not done any live stream gigs. Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t see livestream gigs sticking around after the pandemic. I think if anything they remind us how important real-life gigs are and how that atmosphere just can’t be captured on a livestream.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
Social media can be a really powerful tool but I think it varies from genre to genre. For artists like myself who are very visual Instagram can be a great way to keep people engaged. Posting at home photoshoots or making DIY music videos. You have to get quite creative; I think.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
I hope not! I think it’s one of those things we just have to collectively stop indulging as artists.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
For artists who already use a lot of weird visuals and interesting staging, I think this could really work. Like I would pay good money to have a hologram of an FKA twig show in my living room. But I don’t see if working for guitar music, that’s so much about the band’s engagement with the audience that I just couldn’t see it working.
Governments around the world are hearing the call of thousands of music creators and included protections for the music community in the omnibus bill. In addition to extended and improved unemployment benefits and small business loans for freelance creators, the package includes several bills which the Recording Academy, its members, and the larger music community advocated for. From the Save Our Stages Act, provided a lifeline to performance venues and promoters, to the CASE Act, which creates an avenue for smaller creators to defend their copyrighted works, Congress has ensured that both music creators and those who act behind the scenes to bring music to life are given the support they need during this difficult time.” Do you think this will save music venues?
I hope so! I don’t know about America but over here Save our Venues has been an incredible lifeline for small venues.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. https://www.grammy.com/musicares/get-help/relief-resources. Have you applied for it yet?
No
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music what would you like to be doing?
I think I’d still want to do something creative; I’ve always loved styling and putting outfits together so maybe something to do with fashion.
What is your happy place?
Wee lakes tucked away in the middle of Forrests.
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
I don’t think so, I’d hate for one of my songs to be used to promote something I didn’t agree with or believe in.
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
I think as independent artists we need to stop putting so much stock in streaming numbers. Because streams don’t always translate to fans, ticket sales and merch sales is where most independent artists make their money anyway.
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I love tiktok! I still don’t fully understand how to make it work for me yet but I think it’s such a fun and creative platform!
The British government, buoyed by early good news on a brisk roll-out of vaccinations in the UK, set out a roadmap that, as things stand, would see the re-opening of large music events in the UK, with no audience limit, on June 21. Live Nation and its subsidiary, Festival Republic, didn’t hang about after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson made this announcement on Monday (February 22).
The companies quickly announced that their Reading & Leeds festival – an annual fest taking place across two locations in the UK with a combined capacity of around 180,000 – would be going ahead between August 27 and 29 this year, and that tickets were on sale.
With this announcement Live Nation; USA wants to following the lead of Live Nation: UK. If this happen and live concert start happening this summer would you be up to playing live shows again and under want precautions would you like to have in place?
I think the number of people vaccinated would have to be pretty high before I feel fully comfortable playing live. I also think playing smaller venues will probably become quite popular. Which I love because I love the intimacy you get from small venues. If I’m being completely honest though I’m trying not to plan too much because everything changes so rapidly.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
If you liked Clarity please support it on Bandcamp as all the download proceeds go to a local charity called Independence who are an inclusive dance company for people with learning disabilities in Glasgow!
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