Alternative R&B artist, songwriter, and actress Dasha new single “Loving You” is making waves through internet circles. Her album is being lauded for its originality and feel good approach. Musically influenced by the full human experience sex,Love,pain, fear,joy and God, The Howard Roark project promises to deliver an experience like no other in music. In a day where autotune dominates the airwaves, Dasha represents a group of very few pure vocalists who aspire to show the world their gift in a business thats evolved to be more commercial than any other time in music. Dasha has allowed her gift to flow like never before in recording studios around Los Angeles while keeping her live performance gift sharp every weekend. Hard work pays off may sound cliché but beyond the bright lights, stage shows, and Tv appearances “Dasha” has never lost sight of the ultimate goal to use her many talents to make a difference in the world. Dasha”s solo debut album” The Howard Roark project” will be in stores October 4 2016
Where are you from?
I’m from the Bay Area which is in Northern California. Born in Oakland, and after living there for a while we moved to a city next door called Alameda
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been singing since I was 5. And writing since I was 12 so a little over 20 years now.
How many songs /albums have you released to date?
I’ve released several singles and a few EPs, as well as a mixtape in addition to the in addition to the Howard Roark Project, so I probably have close to 30 songs online available to the public.
Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?
My latest project is called that Howard Roark Project. It’s my first official LP. The title was inspired by a 1940s film called The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The lead character is an architect called Howard Roark.
How have you ended up in the music industry?
I wouldn’t say I ended up here. LOL. It’s always been the destination. Like I said, I’ve been singing since I was 5 and ultimately after doing the Apollo I knew that I was going to really fulfill my dream. So I went to UCLA to finish school and studied Jazz and World music, shortly after that I started working professionally.
What do you think of the music industry in 2016?
I think the industry nowadays has its ups and downs. It’s definitely an indie market which gives the artist much more control and freedom over who they are, what they want to say and even who they decide to work with. So that’s a plus. But I will say that now that the tools to create music are still widely available it over saturates the market sometimes and makes it hard for people to find artists that they really like as well as making it hard for artist like myself to be taken seriously.
Who do you think the most influential artist?
I think the artists that have influenced me the most are Chaka Khan and Nina Simone . They have always been a part of my musical landscape and are amazingly talented women who remain individuals but i have alot of artists I admire.
Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?
I’ve done a few things with various producers like Nobody fFamous, Rob Deez, Frank Swisher I’ve worked with Chaudon, Rapper Big Pooh, among others
How do you think you differ from other artists?
I’m different from other artists because I am myself. And nobody can be me. It’s that simple. What I do is not like anybody else and I have fought my entire career to not be forced to act look or sound like anybody else. So I am what makes me different.
Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?
I think my dream collaboration but have been Prince or Michael. Or even Nina Simone. If I had to think of someone today I’d says Chaka Khan or The Foreign Exchange.
What was the first album you bought?
I don’t recall the first album that I bought but I do recall one of the most important albums I bought. Which was Usher’s, My Way. It was back in the day when you had to buy cassette tapes and I had to choose between that and another artist and ended up buying his album because I was hella thirsty. LOL. Back in those days albums were generally good all-around so I ended up playing the hell out of that tape until it wouldn’t play anymore, and then I had to go and buy another one. Lol
What’s your favorite song at the moment?
I don’t know if I have one particular song that is a favorite of mine right now. I have been playing my single Loving You a lot because it has been sparking a lot of controversy and conversation in my and other people’s lives. LOL but there’s artists that I like now like The Internet, Alina Baraz and Tank.
If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?
would definitely keep my old vinyl of Minnie Ripperton. I think that was the catalyst for me singing. When I was at 5 I had an old Fisher-Price record player and I would play Memory Lane over and over and try to learn it perfectly. When I got older I was fortunate enough to find another copy of the same album that I had played out. So that album really holds a lot of significance for me.
What is your favorite saying?
Right now some of my favorite things are “won’t he do it”, “praise it, “what the hell I look like?” and “I could give two f****”. LOL but they are constantly changing
What other hobbies or interests do you have?
Some of my other activities include going to Boxing class, weight lifting and eating. You always have to have a balance. But I’m pretty simple I enjoy live music, I love audiobooks, learning new things and concepts through research and documentaries.
Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
I have several piercings, in my nose and my ears and I have about 9 tattoos now but I’ll probably have a few more by the end of the year.
Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?
The Howard Roark project is simply about love and The Human Experience. It is done in a way that was not taking into consideration what was hot at the time or what anybody else wanted it to be. It’s simply is. There is something on this project for everybody and I have yet to meet people who did not relate to at least one to two songs deeply on this project.
What’s in the pipeline after this project?
Well we’re working on touring dates and I am building up my show The Divah Diaries which airs every Tuesday on the Bidchat Network.
Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to showcase my talent to your fans.
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