We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dakota Cohen a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Dakota, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

When I was 9 years old, I saw a band performing in an outdoor mall and I knew from that moment that I wanted to perform like that. The positive energy that band brought to the people around them was something that everyone connected to and that drew me in instantly. Something just clicked inside me that I was meant to be on a stage, whether that be in a mall, at a small club, or large festivals. I knew that I wanted to pursue a musical career professionally.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Dakota and I’m a singer/songwriter. I grew up in Los Angeles, California and have been playing music since about 9 years old. I been on many stages throughout the Los Angeles area playing other people’s music, but at age 15 I decided that I wanted to write my own. My music is all about embracing authenticity and vulnerability, creating unique ways to express my personal stories. I’ve played festivals like SXSW, Lollapalooza, and Milwaukee’s Summerfest.

With extensive training that’s shaped my vocal range and agility. I’ve honed my skills under the guidance of Stevie Mackey, known for working with artists like Kelly Rowland, Selena Gomez, and Jennifer Lopez. Recently, I had the honor of being awarded the Best Songwriter Award at Berklee College of Music, a recognition that fuels my passion to keep sharing my stories and connecting with my listeners.

Speaking of my latest creation, “Take The Lead,” it’s an anthemic hit that’s infused with catchy ear-candy and an infectious bassline. This pop-funk track exudes confidence, allure, and energy. In the midst of embracing the excitement of a new relationship, I talk about being on the lookout for someone who values me and makes me feel like a true VIP. The song’s driving bass, lush synths, horns, and layered vocals all contribute to my distinct retro, but contemporary sound. It’s the perfect track for a morning pick-me-up and a boost of self-confidence.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best way to support local art and creatives now, in my opinion, is to tell a friend. In this current creative ecosystem, there’s a lot of curated playlists, algorithms, and feeds that are saturated with paid promotion and behind the scenes pushing. A way to get through noise is when you like an artist and you decide to tell a friend. You are more likely to go listen and support that artist when you hear about it through someone you trust, rather than letting an editorial playlist just play on shuffle and you don’t actually dive into the artists on that playlist. Once you decide that you like an artist, a great way to support them is to add them to your personal playlists, be active on their socials to see what the latest updates are, and most importantly, GO TO SHOWS! As creatives, we love to connect face to face with our listeners. Having that human connection at a show is one of the most magical experiences in the world and I’m so grateful for the shows where I connect with new people and show them a good time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when you’re performing live and you can see that the audience is having the time of their lives. We make music to create moments and memories for people. It’s so special when those memories people are making are connected to the music you wrote and are performing. The shared experience is really unique and is all centered on music. People can think back on happy memories and associate that with your song. It’s the best feeling when you connect with someone while on stage as their singing your song back to you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dakota-music.com/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotacohen/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakota-cohen-282a24210/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dakota3985
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dakotamusic?_t=8W64VBcILyY&_r=1