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theseventhhex · 7 years

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D∆WN Interview

Dawn Richard

Photo by Rob Daly

Dawn Richard, known professionally as D∆WN, is a multi-platinum American singer-songwriter. Being in two groups, Dawn already has 2 consecutive platinum #1 albums under her belt with Danity Kane. D∆WN is one of music’s most distinctive voices and songwriters, developing her own unique style via a tirelessly independent route. Her latest solo album ‘Redemption’ strikes the perfect balance between future-facing electronic music and the music of D∆WN’s New Orleans upbringing, bound together by an untouchable approach to song-writing and flawless vocal range. The final part in a trilogy that started with ‘GoldenHeart’ and continued with ‘Blackheart’, it represents her most focused, complete album yet… The Seventh Hex talks to D∆WN about the DIY approach, literature and Game of Thrones…

TSH: How much effort and work is involved knowing you're taking on so much as a solo artist?

D∆WN: I didn't realise initially how much I would take on doing so much of my solo ventures on my own. However, it's been so rewarding, even though there's a lot of hard work involved. Trying to deliver on a variety of different fronts can be hard, you're doing the booking, you're setting up the stage and you're musically just putting it all together. Sometimes you think it's too much, but when you get on stage and see the reception, and to see the audience on your side - it's all worth it.

TSH: Have you found much time to catch your breath?

D∆WN: I haven't had a chance to look up! I've been so busy with these last three projects. You know, people were telling me I'm being over ambitious taking all of this work on, but I really wanted to prove to myself that I could do work of real quality with no machine backing me.

TSH: You're primarily leading and going in with pure passion?

D∆WN: Exactly! I love this approach, some might say it can feel challenging and not worthy, but I find it more odd when some media don't see you as indie and they just clump you in with the rest of the artists in a similar lane. The independent artists have it tough, especially when you're not backed my millions of views and sales. We're pitted against our peers and expected to deliver the same art than each other with no machine behind us. It's basically up to us to deliver and work twice as hard. You can certainly feel like quitting when it's not built for you to win, because our fanbase has to search and find us, we're not force-fed to them, so we have to work twice as hard. Nonetheless, it is gratifying and the DIY is becoming a bigger movement.

TSH: Is the idea of versatility a defining factor for you?

D∆WN: Yeah, the target is to always do something different. It just so happens that I'm not doing what everyone else is doing, which can be a great thing or a horrible thing, because when you're too different, sometimes people don't know how to embrace it. It can be disruptive to the social idea of what things are supposed to look like. However, I'm just born to be the disruptive pop girl. I'm just challenging myself to make people feel what I'm feeling - telling them a story that's worth telling and when they listen constantly, hopefully they can find and dissect new meanings within that they can relate to. I never like to make my art simple; therefore I tend to straddle the line of having depth but not being so deep that people don't understand me. One thing is for sure, the moment people don't understand something, they hate it instead of trying to understand and feel it. People don't like being uncomfortable.

TSH: Were you looking to capture a certain type of energy with 'Baptize'?

D∆WN: I definitely had a direction in mind. We actually did this song two years ago when I first met Kingdom. All those songs on that EP were done on the day we met. The entire project felt like the scene in the movie Moonlight, where he's teaching him how to swim and it's like a renewal. I felt like the sparseness and space between the recordings had this emptiness that we were capturing. I felt like I filled various gaps and it felt like a baptism type of moment. Throughout my voice wasn't really a part of the production but like water instead. I like the idea of applying the analogy of water all throughout the record alongside a feeling of fluidity. 'Baptize' definitely has this sense of stillness too.

TSH: What does 'How I Get It' signify to you?

D∆WN: That track signifies the angst that I have to consistently put middle fingers up to those who give me an idea of what success should look like. The movement I have behind me are very much 'the others'. We don't have this clichéd idea of how to reach success or what it's defined as on a specific path. This track is an F U to people who say we cannot create our own lanes. It entails a cockiness that we're still here and that our direction is unconventional. My entire story is unconventional. I'm tired of people saying black girls can't be in electronic culture or pop culture has to have one type of black girl. I'm over that idea. There is a revolution of the black girl and women in general coming into the music industry. We are just not going to accept the idea that we represent or are just one thing. I am definitely not your poster idea of pop. I am an acquired taste.

TSH: How do you commonly decide on your vocal direction?

D∆WN: It normally depends on the sounds being formed or the general feel of the record. I'm a fan of switching tones and manipulating my voice. I like to use my voice as an instrument a lot. Sometimes people think my voice is processed because I can really stretch it, thin it out and add volume to it. I like to also manipulate my voice on my own before I even get to using plug-ins or effects. It's fun to lay down vocals without effects and it definitely shows depth and versatility.

TSH: How empowered do you feel onstage?

D∆WN: The stage is my happy place. I love the stage because it's where the communication happens. It's my form of church with my movement. I'm grateful because my movement isn't just singers and artists, but dancers too. Overall, when I perform, I want to create a world where people can escape, it's all I want to do. I want the audience to have a cathartic feel. Dance helps make this happen. The audience can move their bodies and it gives them strength in a way that they normally might not have. The live shows should consist of a vibe of non-judgment - the crowd can feel free to take whatever form they want.

TSH: You come from an educated family and your mother has taught four generations of kids. How amazing has it been to have such strong ethics and values instilled in you from an early age?

D∆WN: It's so amazing. You know, it's funny because when I was younger, it was horrible, haha! My parents being teachers meant they wanted us to be great all of the time. Now, as an adult, it's brilliant to look back because it's forced me and my brother to accept only greatness. We constantly push ourselves, and, for me, it can be stressful. I am a workaholic and I don't know when to stop, but I'm eternally grateful for what my parents represented and I appreciate them for making me a lover of the book...

TSH: You cite the likes of Edgar Allen Poe and Gustav Klimt as influences...

D∆WN: For sure. These days people don't read anymore. I love authors, novelists, sonnets and poems. I personally feel a lot of the depth in my lyrics and my stories comes from my love of literature. My parents were educators and I was able to be around a family of librarians. I was surrounded by people with masters degrees and PHDs. I got to see both sides - the artistic and intellectual side of academia; therefore I like to apply both worlds to my music.

TSH: Is Hans Zimmer very much your dream collaboration?

D∆WN: Oh man, if I could work with him, I could die after that! What he is, is the dream for me. He makes me full when I listen to his scores. When I saw him at Coahcella, I was taken back and so glad that the youth could see what he's all about.

TSH: You also very much admire the female characters in Game of Thrones, in particular Olenna Tyrell...

D∆WN: Lady Olenna is a boss! She's like my spirit animal. I think most of Game of Thrones' female characters influence my style, fashion and also what a woman should be. I feel the show gets it, you know? When you think about the show, the real strengths are the women. Cersei, Sansa, Daenarys and Arya each have a warrior like spirit that shows women can be more. Also, the way Lady Olenna died is how I'd go - I can relate to that - never bow down and tell it to someone's face. That show has a lot to do with the rising female power. The men are only great in the show because they have great women around them.

TSH: How do you like to unwind, outside of music?

D∆WN: I take time to do yoga, but I'm just blessed to have an amazing family. I keep my personal life private and close to me on purpose, because it's been good to me. In my spare time, I separate the woman from the work. I'm lucky enough to have a group around me that will tell me I need to relax. I live in a vegan household, which is also very refreshing.

TSH: What are the key aspects that you hope to maintain and stay true to as you look ahead?

D∆WN: I just want to continue to move people. We've become so complacent and desensitised with things that we don't even realise how to embrace the new. I'll be happy if I inspire other DIY artists to push this independent route. Overall, I want to leave a legacy where people can see that you could do it without yes people and without force-feeding people. I want people to know that your passion and hard work can be enough to achieve greatness. The machine is not the only way that you can be successful, you can be self-made - it is possible. There is a lane I want to burst open, whereupon independent artists can thrive.

D∆WN - “LA (feat. Trombone Shorty)”

Redemption

#Interview #Dawn Richard #D∆WN

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