We recently connected with Daya Dai and have shared our conversation below.
Daya , appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
It all started with my YouTube channel where I upload videos of myself singing songs by my favorite artist. I would share my videos with my friends and family who have been my inspiration and motivation. You could most certainly say that my friends and family were my first group of fans. How neat, right? As much as my “fans” loved my covers, I would frequently get asked the question, “When will you make music of your own?” I hadn’t put much thought into creating music of my own much less songwriting. I wrote poetry and I journaled as a way to express myself. But I had never written a song. I was intrigued. I wanted to go on this music journey.
Growing up I had a lot of musical influencers like Ariana Grande, Aaliyah, and SZA just to name a few. My style of music has been described as R&B with elements of soul. I aspire to make music that my listeners can relate to and find comfort in the melody. In 2020, I released my single Feelings and I Knew on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services. I began to grow as a music artist and I started to gain new listeners who wanted to hear more original music. That’s when I decided to work on my first EP project Bittersweet out now on most major music platforms.
In between recording my EP, I performed for the first time at Vulcan Gas Company and Cedar Street Courtyard Venue in Austin MiniFest, a festival-style event with top-notch up-and-coming musicians hosted by Bridging the Music. I had never performed my original songs live in front of an audience before. Talk about stepping out of your comfort zone. The first time I stepped out on stage a burst of energy shot all through my body and feelings of happiness and purpose consumed me. This was the moment I knew I wanted to pursue singing and creating music professionally.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Daya Dai (Dye-yuh Day) is the name I have gone by for the last few years since I began to pursue my music career professionally. I wanted to create a name that would fit my creative persona and a boundary between my personal and professional life. Plus, it’s fun to go by a different name.
So, who is Daya Dai? Well, in the music scene, I am known as an R&B independent artist from Austin, Texas and as mentioned before, my music style has been described as R&B with elements of soul. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, YouTube, apple music, and more. I create music specifically for women who have been in love, or heartbroken, and for those who are on a journey of self-love and healing.
I’m an outgoing, energetic, and genuine person who loves Love – loves being in love and loves to be loved. I enjoy the outdoors, spending time with my family, friends, and my partner, and providing a lavish life for my fur babies.
My love for singing started off at an early age. I would sing along to Disney movies, and songs on the radio and at family events. I’m considered the “Star Child” of the family. From elementary to high school I was involved in many activities that have helped me pursue my music career, for example, I was in musical theaters, choir, and dance, and I took acting classes and singing lessons.
My inspiration for my music comes from real-life experiences, thoughts, and feelings. I write and sing from the heart. My hope with my music is to inspire and uplift my listener and gain new fans.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Music has no boundaries. Music can influence our mood in more ways than one, and no matter the sound, genre, or language there will always be someone whose heart feels connected.
It took time for me to realize that I can create any type of sound I want. The creativity process is limitless. So how do you narrow down to a specific genre that fits your style of music? or a style of music that others like? You never really do. Not everyone is going to like your sound. So, I had to learn to create music I enjoy listening to verses and creating music I think my audience wants to listen to. When I stopped placing limitations on my creative process I started to become more confident in the journey.
The lesson I learned by placing limitations on myself was that I wasn’t being my true self. Believing in yourself and your craft is the first thing you have to do before anything else.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Being a music artist has helped me network and build relationships with other talented individuals. Creating music brings me joy and happiness. I feel my most complete when I write, sing and record my music. The feeling of bringing my song to life is rewarding in itself. Another rewarding aspect is being a positive role model for others aspiring to be music artists or just following their dreams. I took a leap of faith by following my passion. I have inspired fans as young as seven years old to follow their true purpose and I encourage others to do the same. With that being said, if you are reading this I want you to set sail on your creative path. You have nothing to lose but time. But remember creativity has no boundaries and therefore if you start today, tomorrow, or three years from now you will still be a talented and creative person. No one can take that away from you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dayadai
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/dayadaimusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DAYADAIMUSIC/ https://www.facebook.com/DAYADAIMUSIC/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DayaDaiOfficial/featured
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2FBqTM1ovM0Fjuyk4bqTGT?si=WfF1rby7TwWsCgGQmvgm4A Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daya-dai/1512892156
Image Credits
Kailah Vaughn, owner, and photographer of Isla Monet Boudoir photography