A Chat with Dailla (07.04.25)
From exploring the emotional complexities of love and relationships to drawing on her psychology background, Dailla opens up about the creative process behind her new direction and what listeners can expect from her upcoming work. We chat with Dailla about her music evolution, her latest single ‘River Flow’, and the personal experiences that have shaped her music.
OSR: Your new single, ‘River Flow’, is quite different from your previous work. What inspired this change in direction?
Dailla: ‘River Flow’ came out of a really raw place. Working with Marcell definitely helped shape its sound – he brought out the pop elements I was aiming for while still keeping that cinematic edge. We layered in violins, colourful harmonies, and this fragile emotional tone that still feels raw and approachable. Compared to my earlier singles, which leaned more playful or stripped back, ‘River Flow’ dives into something deeper and more atmospheric. It’s built to get stuck in your head, but at the same time, it explores something that’s emotionally complex and a little dangerous. I think it really captures where I’m at creatively right now – more confident, more honest, and more willing to stay in the tension.
OSR: Can you tell us more about the story behind ‘River Flow’? What personal experiences influenced the song’s themes and lyrics?
Dailla: It’s definitely rooted in personal experience. ‘River Flow’ is about the kind of connection that feels intoxicating – where you know it’s not healthy, but you can’t resist it. There’s this tension between surrender and self-preservation that I kept feeling in my own life, and the song became a space to explore that. The imagery – “dangerous lips,” “a rebel’s eyes” – came from moments that felt right on the edge of something real and reckless. I think all of us, at some point, feel that pull to do something unexpected or out of line – whether that’s falling for someone we know isn’t good for us or just letting go of control for a moment. Writing ‘River Flow’ helped me process those feelings without needing to fix or explain them.
OSR: Your music often explores the complexities of love and relationships. What draws you to these themes, and what do you hope listeners take away from your songs?
Dailla: Love and relationships are such emotional, messy spaces – they bring out parts of us we don’t always understand. Maybe it’s the psychology nerd in me, but I’m fascinated by the tension between what we feel and what we actually say. These themes were also some of the first I connected with as a teenager, so writing about them has been a way of processing that part of my life. But I’m excited to explore new themes too, so stay tuned!
OSR: How does your psychology background influence your songwriting and approach to music?
Dailla: Massively. Studying psychology made me realize how much we all want to feel seen and understood. It also made me notice the small things around us – like how even something that seems minor can still really affect someone. You never fully know what’s going on inside a person, and I try to carry that awareness into my writing. Songwriting feels like a therapy session for me – it’s not about fixing anything; it’s just about letting it out and being real with whatever’s there.
OSR: What’s the most challenging part of being a singer-songwriter, and how do you overcome those challenges?
Dailla: The hardest part is probably managing self-doubt. Songwriting can get very personal, and it’s easy to overthink or get stuck comparing yourself to others. It’s funny, after writing ‘Middle Stone’, I remember thinking, “Okay… that one’s good. But am I ever gonna write another song like that again?” I think that’s something a lot of songwriters feel, that pressure of “how do I top this?” But honestly, it’s just part of the process. You grow, you change, and you express yourself differently as you go. I just try to remind myself why I even started making music in the first place. It’s not about chasing perfection, it’s about expressing something real and connecting with people. That can be tough sometimes, especially because I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and I know that about myself. But working with people I trust, like Marcell, really helps me get out of my own head and see things differently.
OSR: You’ve mentioned being inspired by classic rock and modern pop. Can you tell us more about your musical influences and how they shape your sound?
Dailla: I grew up on classic rock, big guitars, raw emotion, and that kind of fearless energy that just grabs you. I’m a huge U2 fan – I saw them live at the Sphere and left completely inspired. I’ve always loved that powerful, guitar-driven sound, and I definitely want to keep that part of my DNA in the music I make. At the same time, I’ve grown to really love pop, especially artists like Olivia Rodrigo and Nieve Ella. They manage to keep those gritty, guitar-based roots while still delivering catchy, emotional pop songs. I’m really drawn to that balance.
OSR: ‘River Flow’ has a really catchy, hooks-driven melody. What’s your approach to crafting memorable hooks and choruses?
Dailla: Honestly, it’s a tough question, and it really depends. Sometimes, I dream a melody and wake up needing to record it; other times, it starts with a simple chord progression on the piano or guitar that sparks something. I also get inspired by songs I hear or just a certain feeling I want to capture. Sometimes the melody comes first, sometimes it’s a lyric, and a lot of the time they come together naturally. With ‘River Flow’, I wanted to play with contrast. The verses have this more upbeat, rhythmic drive, and then the chorus shifts into something smoother and more flowing. I always want my hooks to be catchy; that part comes naturally to me.
OSR: You’ve been open about using music as a form of self-expression and therapy. Can you talk more about how music helps you process your emotions and experiences?
Dailla: Songwriting is where everything I don’t know how to say out loud finds a place. Sometimes, I only understand what I’m really feeling after the song is written. It gives me space to let things out without needing to explain or fix them. Music helps me take a step back and see things from a different angle. And performing those songs, especially live, feels freeing. It’s a good reminder that nobody’s got it all together at all times, and that’s fine.
OSR: How do you balance the need to create authentic, personal music with the pressure to produce commercial successes?
Dailla: It’s definitely a balancing act. I try not to follow trends just for the sake of it, but I also genuinely love pop and believe that honest, emotional music can still be accessible and catchy. Working with producers who understand that balance helps a lot. I want my songs to feel personal but still connect with people in a way they can sing along to or relate to. When I was younger, I used to be a bit sceptical of anything labelled “commercial”, but the more I’ve grown as a songwriter, the more I’ve realized that reaching more people doesn’t take away from the meaning of a song — if anything, it amplifies it. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s not authentic. And I’m a big believer in staying humble when it comes to other artists. Just because something isn’t my style doesn’t mean it’s not valid. Music is so personal and subjective, and that’s what makes it exciting. There’s space for all of it.
OSR: What’s next for you? Are you working on a new album or EP, and can you give us any hints about what to expect?
Dailla: Let’s just say there’s definitely more music on the way. I’ve been writing a lot, experimenting with new sounds, and working on visuals I’m really excited about. The songs I’m working on explore different emotional layers and the messy in-betweens but still keep that catchy edge. There are shows and other fun things coming up too, and I’m really looking forward to connecting with more people face to face. What excites me the most is that I’m still at the beginning. I get to shape this whole creative universe, bring people along for the ride, and tell stories not just through the music but through the visuals and the whole world around it. I can’t wait to see what’s waiting out there for me and to show you more of what I’ve been working on.
Many thanks to Dailla for speaking with us. Find out more about Dailla on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
