Nashville-based artist daena revealed her debut EP Electric! on February 7th.

Inspired by the 80’s and artists like MUNA, Sigrid and Betty Who, the 6-track EP explores the subjects of falling and being in love, self-confidence and battling dark moments. Produced by griggs, “Electric!” is defined by the emotional charge of significant moments. I think it’s so important for you to embrace everything that you feel; pain, heartbreak, love, strength,’ explains daena.

Electric! includes the previous singles “Overrated” and the well-acclaimed single “Close Isn’t Enough”.

With this promising project, daena’s goal is to lay the foundation for a space to create with no boundaries.

daena will be having her EP release show at Aimeeland Studio in Nashville on February 29th. Click here for more details.

Electric! is now available worldwide.

Introduce yourself - what's your story?

Hi! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me. I’m daena; I’m originally from NJ, but I’ve been living in Nashville for the past 6 and a half years. I started writing songs when I was 14, but realizing that music/songwriting was something I could do as my full-time job was an amazing turning point in my life. Now I make indie pop music and just released my first EP!

How would you define daena, the artist?

daena is everything I wanted to be as an artist before I fully realized it. I think when I recognized that this pipe dream of who I wanted to be could actually just happen if I let it, I started doing the things that I had dreamed of for so long. My music was in the singer-songwriter vein, but that was just because I owned an acoustic guitar, and that’s what it sounded like when I played my songs on it. So I dusted off my brother’s old electric guitar and now I play that too. I loved the music of artists like Sigrid, Bleachers, Betty Who, etc, so I made a demo with lots of weird synths that would eventually spark this project. I idolized frontwomen who kicked ass on stage, so I’m trying to dance more during my live shows (still working on this one). daena is just the same me that I was before, but with no limits, and I love it!

Electric! is your debut EP. How does it feel like?

It feels amazing to have this EP out in the world! I’ve released music in the past under different artist names, but this being my first release since I’ve graduated college and as a “full-fledged adult”, it feels so special to me.

How would you define this project?

To me, “Electric!” is defined by the emotional charge of significant moments. I think it’s so important for you to embrace everything that you feel; pain, heartbreak, love, strength. The record is an exploration of accepting every facet of yourself, and then challenging yourself to grow even more.

When did you start working on this EP? Do you remember the first song you did for this project?

Yes! I started working on the EP a little over a year and a half ago. Technically, the first track that found its place on this project was “Overrated”, which I actually wrote alone over 4 years ago on my dorm room keyboard in college. But, the first thing that I wrote specifically for this pop project (a track called “Vibe”) was after I teamed up with my producer, griggs. Although it never made it onto the record, it served as a catalyst for our working relationship and set the tone for the rest of the EP.

Who helped you create this project? Could you describe us the songwriting/production process?

So as I mentioned before, my producer and main co-writer, griggs, helped create this record with me. To have him as my go-to creative partner in this was so incredibly meaningful. We established a no judgement zone in the writing room, which allowed me to be more vulnerable than ever in my songwriting. And, it was exciting to dive into new territory with his production behind me. Sometimes, we’d sit for hours with wine and an acoustic guitar talking (and sometimes singing) about life, and other times griggs would come into a session with a track idea that would spark songs like “Close Isn’t Enough”.

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What are the different topics you are talking about on this project?

I used to tend to write about love and heartbreak a lot, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also found myself gravitating towards writing about other life things (I’m sure other twenty-somethings going through their quarter life crises can relate). So on “Electric!”, not only do I sing about falling and being in love, but I also explore topics like self-confidence and battling dark moments. “Show Your Bones” is an especially emotional one for me; it’s one of the few times I’ve cried in the writing room. I’m so grateful that griggs helped write it with me and make something beautiful out of the memories of a super tough time in my life.

What do you like the most about this whole project?

I love how even though the record ties together as a whole, each track also has its own vibe and sound. There’s an emotional power ballad, a fist-pumping anthem with punchy guitar, a glittery synth pop sex jam - it pretty much runs the gamut.

This project has a lot of 80s influences. Any favorite records from the 80s?

ABBA, Whitney Houston and, specifically, “What A Feeling” from Flashdance have my heart. But also, so much of this record was influenced by the new wave of retro synth pop like MUNA, Litany, etc.

What made you want to name your EP Electric! ?

There was such an energy around the song “Electric!”. Every time griggs and I played it together it just felt right. When I first went into the studio to record it, we both felt that something about that energy had changed. Then it hit me - this song was screaming to be a duet. After re-recording it from the ground up, I just knew we had something special.

What did you learn about yourself after finishing this EP?

I learned that it feels freaking GOOD to start a project and see it through to the end!

What can you tell us about the artwork?

We set up this shoot at a beautiful local studio after my good friend and stylist Rose Soenghen and I spent the day thrifting at vintage stores and finding inspiration. As soon as we saw the TV, we knew that the analog 90s look was PERFECT (and a little ironic) for “Electric!”. I teamed up with the incredibly talented photographer Acacia Evans for the shoot, and my dad, who is the literal best, did all the graphic design and artwork. Extra shout out to Pre To Post Modern on 8th for the lightning bolt earrings that are now my whole personality.

What is your goal for this EP?

To lay the foundation for a space to create with no boundaries. It’s funny, because for as long as I had struggled with finding my genre, as soon as I decided to go the pop route and team up with griggs, everything started falling into place to shape my sound. I’m already so excited to release follow-up music!

As an artist, what do you want to accomplish?

Keep having the time of my life making music, play shows and tour with other artists I admire, and above all, I want to make art that’s genuine and inspires listeners.

What are your thoughts on today's music industry? If you could change one thing, what would it be?

I so appreciate the brave new world of independent artists, where you can absolutely have a #1 hit with no record label, management, etc. That being said, I would love to see more genre-bending and/or diverse artists up for radio airplay and celebrated in the mainstream.

What's the hardest part about being an artist? And what is the best part?

For me, one of the hardest things about being an artist is the industry’s expectation of turning a person into a brand. At a time in my life where I’m constantly re-discovering who I am, it can be pretty exhausting to keep up with social media. As for the best part of being an artist? Having the freedom and space to put out art that you love, and hopefully being able to inspire others through that.

Besides music, what are you passionate about?

Dogs, making people laugh, being a good friend, and iced vanilla lattes. And the Jonas Brothers’ comeback.

What message do you want to give to LGBTQ+ communities?

Thank you to those pockets of the queer community that have created safe spaces and welcoming environments for all people (womxn, trans + non-binary folks, etc). And to those people who aren’t out to themselves or others yet, or are struggling to find acceptance within queer spaces, keep holding on. Kindness, self-love and acceptance can and does exist for you.

How would you define love?

Love is the decision to stand by someone, in spite of their flaws, and because of them. Not one of us is perfect, but all of us are worthy of being accepted just as we are. That’s love.

In your opinion, what would make the world a better place?

To me, diversity is one of the most important gifts that we can experience as humans. Exposure to someone who is different from you not only helps you grow as a person, but can actually reveal how similar we are at the heart of things. I encourage everyone to lean into that just a little bit every day and keep your heart open to all people; I think that’s step one to a brighter world.

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