Music Review and Exclusive Interview with Dasha for “Loving You”
The very substance of this track brings together a really interesting combination of styles and musical genres. At the start, there’s merely a hint of classic R&B in those snippets of lead vocal, alongside a mellow and pleasant classical themed or Spanish style guitar part. The ambiance that is created by all of this remains mellow and stylish throughout, the beat is light and easy to listen to, then you get these vocal harmonies just threading that chorus melody throughout the track.
These vocal layers seem to build and build as the song progresses, not to the point of being heavy or overbearing, but almost to a stage where the song feels like a multitude of moments and thoughts as if you’re spiraling off and away into some dreamlike state. It’s a really good effect, and at the same time you quickly pick up that melody, it becomes familiar early on, and it does in fact feel even more reminiscent of some of the very early nineties tracks from certain R&B acts the ones who made songs we all can remember.
The leading vocal is soft and skillful, very easy and enjoyable to listen to, with some beautiful moments of tone and unique inflections that really speak volumes for the fresh sound and character of the artist. There’s a nostalgic sound to the voice at times, but that’s also a pleasure to hear; it’s a warm sort of familiar, just occasionally.
The verses are gentle yet strong, particularly along side the harmony-thick chorus section. This contrast is greatly effective in spacing out the song and increasing the impact of each part. As mentioned, things build up and up towards the end, including the strength and performance of that leading vocal. The talent is clear, and everything works really well in this particular setting. It’s a great song; it really stays with you after you’ve listened.
By Rebecca Cullen
Exclusive Interview:
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I grew up in the Bay Area. I was an only child so after school I would come home and rummage through my moms music. I just start singing. I don’t know it made me decide I would become an artist. I just knew more than a decision. So the age of 12 I told my mom I would be a singer.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
The Howard Roark Project was inspired by Ayn Ran film and book called The Fountainhead. Without giving it all away the lead character is Howard Roark and the theme of the film is about individualism. Being in this business for so long, I’ve been told many times who I should be like, what I should sound like and who I should sleep with even. Everybody is always trying to copy the latest hot thing. We’ve completely lost the Importance of being unique and different . Once I saw the film, I totally related to the struggles of the main character and the timing was perfect thus the name.
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
honestly I think it’s become the norm. So yes, I do give my music away for free. My first single, Loving You, is available for free right now on SoundCloud. I will admit as an artist, who is doing music to live, it took a minute for me to accept but times change so you have to roll with the punches. I can only hope that the same people who are sharing my music for free will pay to come and see me perform and tear the house down.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Yeah, tune into The Divah Diaries every Tuesday on Bidchat.com starting mod Sep 2016 because that’s exactly what the show is for. But I will say this, know who you are truly before you walk to meet a booking agent or a club manager, or anyone. People will try to change who you are before they  “pay†who you are, if you know what I’m saying. If you’re a true artist you’re not going to be happy living like that.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Yes! Of course I do. Personally, I like to improvise on stage because I study Jazz at UCLA. So improvising is all about allowing yourself to be vulnerable to those mistakes. And when they happen, you calmly acknowledge them, shake it off and keep it pushin’ because you’re on stage and people are staring at you! You have to be able to be comfortable with taking risks during your performance.
I have not started to tour as of yet but we are working on dates for the end of this year. I do however, perform weekly. And I think the best part about that it’s not only being able to constantly hone your craft but to constantly observe how your gift can affect people. I think the best feeling I get is when I see someone who’s wheelchair-bound or pretty high up in age walk into the room very very slow as any senior would. And then see them turn all the way up when I start singing their favorite song. It is a great feeling to watch somebody return to their youth because of your gift.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
My inspiration really comes from living. I really have to take a break, live out some things, feel some things, go through some things and then write. There are times when I will borrow from other people’s life experiences but I find that the music that I love most comes from things that I truly experienced. Typically, when I write I will get a bunch of tracks from various producers. I’ll sit at my computer and play them loud as hell. I’ll either hear something right away or not. If I can hear a melody that I feel moves me then I start writing immediately. But there are times where I will hear full songs in my head and then have to work with the producer to create the music around it. Which is what I did for my 2014 EP, Long Over You.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Yes, my website is Iwillsingforfood.com and as for platforms I literally use all of them! ITunes of course, Tidal Spotify, Google Play, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, the single is available right now on SoundCloud. But wherever you are I will be.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Hmmm, good question. I don’t have it on my MP3 player anymore but there was a point in time where I had the soundtrack to Shazam the movie. Once I realized how embarrassing it was to have it I took it to Rasputin to try and sell it back and the dude at the counter got on the loudspeaker and put me on blast about why I even had the album to begin with. And of course he didn’t buy it back! LOL
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
I definitely would make sure my mom was okay first. I’d probably tuck some of it away to use for an all-girls camp that I’ve always wanted to do to promote body image self awareness and self-love for little girls of color. And then I just get on a plane and travel the world singing my music and learning about music from other countries. And eating of course!
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Lord Jesus make it right! Right now I’m working with what I got. And from the sounds of the album what I got is enough but what I’d love to get upgraded first and foremost is my microphone for my gigs. I’m trying to upgrade to the digital version of the Shure Beta 87. I just got a new desktop for the studio so that’s a plus. I’m working on a mlx 800 studio mic right now.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Right now, Instagram is pretty awesome for promotion. But we do use blogs often. Blogs are like the new old school DJs. We used to rely on DJs at radio stations to actually break new artists, break new music, etc. but that doesn’t happen anymore so people find out about what’s popping through smaller blogs which can generate a lot of word-of-mouth promotion. Bloggers have a great ability to direct where the market goes.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Paris with Chaka Khan . She is a huge influence for me and she’s like my idol. Besides her talent, just totally respect her individuality in her music, her look, and her ability to bounce back and overcome adversity with honesty. She’s A Bad Mama Jama. Paris is just an unbelievably romantic vibey City.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I am hosting a weekly show called The Divah Diaries. It’s actually based off of my blog and it encompasses being an artist in LA, advice, horror stories as well as being a single artist dating in a way and what that looks like. My audience will be able to interface with me while I’m doing the show live! And I will be launching it on a new media platform called Bidchat this month!
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
well before I decided to be full time and entertainment I was working in Property Management. I have my real estate license. So I’d probably be doing that.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
I did not remember buying my first album but I recently reflected on how I felt when I bought two of my favorite yhrow back albums. One being Aaliyah’s One in a Million, the other being Usher’s My Way. I just remember with Aaliyah’s album, being in total awe of how beautiful she was on the cover and just utter excitement to hear the rest of the songs since they had already released 4 Page Letter at the time. That was a CD. Usher’s album I bought on cassette tape and I just remember staring at that picture thinking how hot he was and how bad I wanted to kiss him, like a thirsty groupie LOL. But I do remember having to make a choice between his album and another one because I didn’t have enough funds, I ended up buying his. I played it so much that I had to go and get another one. Those were the good old days.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
For me it’s all about scheduling. I live by my calendar. It takes a lot of discipline as well and I admit that at times I suck at that.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
They should look forward to a musical experience that I’m sure they will connect with. It’s not going to sound like anything you’re used to but it will make you feel good. As well as more of my shenanigans on Instagram, YouTube and show The Divah Diaries. I hope that some of them actually reach out and say hello, let me know what they think. I like that kind of stuff.
