Darja is a multi-lingual singer/songwriter based in New York who was born in Riga, Latvia and raised in Germany and she has now released her brand new single ‘Rise Up‘.
Here we speak exclusively to the rising star about her musical inspirations, dream collaborations, new music, and much, much more;
Growing up who inspired your love of music?
At the age of 4 I started training as a Rhythmic Gymnast, so my love for music was inspired by me performing on stage from a very young age. After that I grew up listening to the greats such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.
Has music always been your main passion?
Music has always been the main theme of my life. I grew up dancing and performing to the most beautiful musical works from classic to modern. I was singing for as long as I can remember, and started playing the piano and writing my own songs at age 12. I love listening to music, and creating music myself has always felt like a very natural progression to me.
If you weren’t a full time musician what would you be doing?
I am a very creative person, and I have many different outlets to my creativity. I love painting and I am also heavily involved in film and video production. I produced my own music video for “True Paradise”, directed by the incredible actress and fire dancer extraordinaire Evgeniya Radilova, and together we started our film production company called iDare Productions. “True Paradise” was recognized by five major film festivals and we already have two more short film projects under way and I can’t wait to share them with the world. I am a very visual person and love creating beautiful and meaningful imagery. So being a Producer and Film and Video Director is already something I love to do on the side.
If you could collaborate with any artist who would you choose?
There are so many incredible artists out there who I would love to collaborate with! But to give you an example I would love to collaborate with Calvin Harris. I would also love to collaborate with Haux, that haunting magical sound is pure ecstasy for me. I would love to collaborate with The Weeknd, I love his style and creative vision.
Which acts are you excited about at the moment?
There is so much amazing work coming out, but right this very second I am really excited about Cardi B, first female rapper who made it to number one on the US Billboards! I love that she is free and says whatever she wants. I also love Alessia Cara, her vocals and lyrics are absolutely on point for me. I am also very excited about Haux and looking forward to hearing more music from him.
What is the main inspiration behind your new single ‘Rise Up’?
My new single “Rise Up” was inspired by my entire life’s journey up to date. I have always been a foreigner everywhere I lived, so I always felt a bit like an outsider trying to fit in. Today I feel like a citizen of the world. I identify with every race and every social class, because I have seen it all, I have experienced the bottom I have experienced the top and ultimately it is all fleeting until you decide to love yourself for who you are no matter where you are in your journey and what life throws at you. “Rise Up” is about finding back to yourself, about finding back to your strength and overcoming the toughest moments and stand tall and stronger than ever in the end. In my early music career I experienced numerous traumatizing circumstances to the point where I became so bitter and disillusioned that I never wanted to sing again. After many years of grieving and healing from that time I started to pick up the broken pieces. I had to battle my demons, insecurities and self-sabotage, but in the end I found my way back to music and performing and I remembered what really matters to me. “Rise Up” is about shaking off the last remnants of past trauma, about shedding the old skin to be reborn into a new stronger, lighter, more confident and positive self. “Rise Up” is inspired by my own desperate need for healing resurrection and I do not take for granted for one single moment, that there are people out there who have gone through much tougher life experiences than I have and I want “Rise Up” to be their song, I want it to give strength and inspiration to those who need it the most.
Do you have any tour plans lined up?
I am always performing around NYC, but as soon as my album is finished I can’t wait to hit the road nationally and internationally!
So, you will you be releasing an album soon?
Absolutely. I am currently working on the production of my next track. It’s a ballad called “Darkest Blue” that I wrote for someone very special in my life. I can’t wait for this song to be born because it comes from a very pure and sacred place. I have been getting incredible feedback on it in my live performances so I am very excited for more people to be able to hear it. And there is definitely more work on the way.
What do you hope to achieve over the next ten years?
I am hoping to release as much creative work as I can in the music world as well as the film world. I know and love my purpose in life and having the opportunity to let my voice be heard and my vision be seen means everything to me. I want to inspire and elevate my fellow creators, I want to be inspired and elevated myself, because ultimately that’s what makes life so beautiful. But to be precise, my music goal is to release at least 5 albums.
Make sure you follow Draji on Instagram @darjasmusic to keep up to date with all her latest music and tour news!
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