Q+A: DAVA
Following the success of her latest track “ASOS,” DAVA is back with a new single titled “New Ceilings” via Disruptor Records. The song touches on the struggles DAVA faced early on in her career, moving to Los Angeles and riding the line between being a starving artist and a buzzing newcomer. She wrote about wanting “to chase a different reality for'' herself when she first arrived in LA, and was driving for Uber to stay afloat. DAVA is unique in that she pairs a catchy beat with raw and authentic lyrics to create a left-of-center pop song. “New Celinings” is accompanied by an abstract, pandemic-style video created by the artist and her boyfriend while walking around their neighborhood and just messing around on a casual day.
We had the opportunity to ask the singer a few questions via email about her latest release, “New Ceilings,” along with what is next for the dynamic artist!
Photo: Milo Lee
Can we start off with an introduction?
Hi, I'm singer and songwriter Dava and this is the Krusty Krab.
What artists did you listen to primarily growing up? Did those artists have any influence on your sound at the very beginning of your career?
I was obsessed with The Killers and Gwen when she was in No Doubt. They definitely influenced me and still do.
Can you talk a little bit about the inspiration behind your latest single “New Ceilings”?
It's kind of a weird song. I love it. I had a bad day, I was out here in LA trying to make something of myself. Record labels started to get curious about what was coming next and they usually set you up with sessions to kinda see what you're all about. I was on my way to one of those sessions and mid-route my phone service got shut off. In retrospect this is small, but I grew up not coming from much and it's moments like this where a sort of imposter syndrome sets in. I tried desperately to move states a few times and start new and focus on music and my day jobs. The last few years I had my grandmother living with me after her health started to decline, so there was a lot riding on this. But LA is THE monster and I put so much pressure on myself to survive here. I was super late to the session and I'm all freaked out because without my phone I won't be able to drive for Uber which was my only job at the time. I'm putting on my best face for the A&Rs that came to meet me. After they left, the producer and I started chatting and he asked me what I wanted to write about. I think I probably said something honest about how I felt in that moment and before I knew it I shed some tears on his beautiful new rug. He told me to write about my experience and I did. I desperately want to chase a different reality for myself. In that pursuit, I've met people that I admire very much and also people that I hope I never turn into. The song is really just about chasing what you want but not losing yourself in it.
All of your visuals are pretty unique and abstract. How did you come up with the idea for the “New Ceilings” video? Has the pandemic changed your creative approach?
My boyfriend and I started walking around with his camera and I turned on “New Ceilings” and started mini-performing it on the escalator. He was like, "we should shoot a music video just for fun." This song wasn't on the tracklist for this forthcoming EP originally at all. Once we got going we were obsessed, we tried all kinds of weird things that never made it into the video. I sent it to my A&R and said, "This is coming out next. Make it happen." He was so stoked, we all were. It felt right to put something very organic out into the world especially with the times we're living in.
You make such catchy songs, but they also have this authenticity and soul to them. What does the writing process look like for you?
I appreciate you saying so! I don't really like studios, I prefer to make songs at my friends' houses. It feels easier to get the real stuff out. I write down working titles of songs and ideas before recording. Sometimes a really good movie or experience comes along and inspires me to build a world around it sonically.
There is such a vibrant artist community in LA. Has the city helped shape you as an artist? Have you collaborated with any other young musicians while living here?
Definitely. I'm usually working with the same few people and I've found my community but I am definitely excited for post-pandemic sessions when I can meet new artists and collaborate more often.
What can fans expect next from you following the release of “New Ceilings”?
A lot more music including my debut EP, better visuals, and hopefully a ton of merch. But also I hope I get to grow with my friends and team beside me. We need a few world tours.
Who are you currently listening to?
I've been listening to a lot of albums during the pandemic. Right now I've been going through Mac Miller's discography.