MC: Can you take us through the basic process of how the song happened? What elements did you contribute?
Daya: Scott, or Noisecastle, was there for the whole session and had brought in an incredible track for us to build a song around. The concept, lyrics and music all stemmed from there. The others wanted to get to know me and the things that mattered to me, and I opened up about my life, my relationships and how I was just looking for a guy who would be respectful and treat me well. That’s how the theme of the song developed. They allowed me to articulate my vision clearly and it turned out to be a great pairing.
MC: How did promotion manager Steve Zap first hear about you, and what do you think he saw in your potential that inspired him, along with Gino, to create the label Artbeatz around you?
Daya: Steve was a veteran promotion manager and friend of Gino’s. The two had a manager/songwriter relationship for a while, with Steve shopping some of Gino’s songs. Gino took me to Steve and let him hear “Hide Away” and asked if he thought he could do anything with it. Steve was immediately interested in forming a label with me as their first artist. He persuaded Gino not to pitch the song to a major label but instead release it as my debut single on the new label, which they ultimately called Artbeatz. The idea was that he would send the song out to radio stations he had connections with and see what might develop. I didn’t think anything would happen immediately, and went back to school the following day. The track got a great reception and I appeared on a bunch of radio shows.
Eventually things got moving. I think Steve liked the fact that I was authentic and the song came out organically. He liked that I was a high school student with talent, willing to work hard. He has been in the business for years and was used to jaded people in the industry, so I think I was a bit of fresh air. At the same time, he and Gino know I’m still growing as an artist and are excited about joining me on my path to self-discovery.
MC: As an emerging artist, what do you think the benefits are to being signed to an upstart indie label as opposed to a major or established company?
Daya: I’m glad I went the indie route, because from the start, they gave me creative control and the freedom to write and record songs that would be authentic and from the heart. They’re not trying to mold me into anything beyond who I am and who I naturally will evolve into. A lot of artists, particularly ones my age, get put into a situation where they don’t have that freedom, can’t write their own songs, or they are handed songs to record that they don’t like. The material I release needs to be true to who I am, centered on my own feelings and points of view. I will also be involved in everyday decisions around doing shows and touring. So I’m very grateful for everything. No one knows what I experience but me, and drawing from that that will keep my music authentic. Also, the small team Gino and Steve put together at Artbeatz is hard working and passionate about what they do. It’s a great situation for everyone.
MC: What is your songwriting process? How do you approach collaborating with others?
Daya: I want to give Gino credit for being my “in” into the songwriting world and introducing me to some great collaborators. They’re all talented people with no egos willing to work hard with us. Lyrically, the stories we develop depend on the session. I usually come in with a concept in mind and they help me articulate the story from there. But I also have a vast musical background and creating the music is definitely the main thing for me. I contribute a lot of melodies and work on the lyrics as well. But the music is my main strength as a songwriter.
MC: The collaboration with the Chainsmokers on “Don’t Let Me Down”––how did that happen?
Daya: Artbeatz and their label are both affiliated with Sony, and someone there let them hear “Hide Away” even before it was released. They liked my voice and reached out and asked me if I wanted to do a feature on their new track. I fell in love with it immediately. I was a big fan of these guys and so it was a dream come true.
