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Dasha: ‘What Happens Now?’ – Debut Album Review

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Dasha releases her debut album, What Happens Now?, out now, February 16th on all streaming platforms. Listen to the brand new project here.

For rising star Dasha, her new album, What Happens Now?, is truly a return to her roots. While the singer-songwriter may have begun her career with viral pop tunes on TikTok, country music is always where her heart has been. 

When she chatted with Country Swag last November, she revealed, “I had this epiphany and was like ‘I have to go back to my roots and start making country music again’, so in the last nine months to a year, I’ve really dove into that […] I have never had such an amazing time making music before. Music has never come so effortlessly to me before as it has with this music. It’s the beginning of this new country era.”

Her passion for the music shines through on the eight song collection, which is lyrically much like a journal through her deepest thoughts and feelings. This is evident on songs like “Drown Me,” “42,” and “Even Cowboys Cry.”

Conversely, the album’s opening track is truly an outlier, a driving up-tempo that adeptly mixes electro pop beats with twangy guitar rhythms as she ponders the potential of a summer romance with a boy who “hurts so good.” 

“Austin” is a more straightforward country up-tempo, with its hand-clapping, two-stepping countrified rhythm about a guy who failed to keep his promises. “Did your boots stop workin’? Did your truck break down? Did you burn through the money? Did your ex find out?” She asks. “Where there’s a will then there’s a way and I’m damn sure you lost it // Didn’t even say goodbye // Just wish I knew what caused it.”

Of “Austin,” she revealed to Country Swag that it was one of her favorite songs she’s ever recorded.  “We started creating this whole story about this guy who kind of screws you over and you leave him at this bar, and I love how angry it is,” She shares. “It crawls under your skin, because it’s not that you’re mad – mad, it’s like you’re hurt – mad, and I feel like that emotion really comes through in that song. We wrote it in an hour, which is crazy fast for a song.”

Despite being a California native, Dasha embraces small town life on “Talk of the Town” and “Share this City,” musing that “the smallest towns have the biggest mouths” on the latter, as she deals with a relationship that’s at the root of a town’s gossip. Likewise, “Share this City” finds her trying to dodge an ex. “I’ve been avoiding all the places that we used to love, and heaven only knows I don’t get out enough,” She admits mournfully. “Maybe we should call it a truce and maybe I won’t run into you.”

Heartbreak weaves its way though many of the songs, including the incredible standout that is “Drown Me,” a sad guitar ballad that finds her sinking beneath the weight of her broken heart, powerful imagery finding her pleading with a former lover that she’s addicted to. “Empty all the air inside my lungs and shook me in the water, even when you think I’ve had enough, then hold on to me harder, Baby drown me, if you need me,” She sings. “I’m infatuated, baby, with the way you make me hate you.”

“Even Cowboys Cry” and “42” are also powerful ballads in their own ways, with the former encouraging a cowboy to open up and deal with his demons. Meanwhile, the latter is about counting down the days until you see someone again and longing to pick up where things left off, despite a year between.

“So tell all the girls you’ve been kissing that they had a good run // But it’s all over and through // Tell them that your little lady’s moving back to the city // And it’s not them, it’s that I finally get to have you // And your penthouse with the bad view // And my toothbrush in your bathroom // And you can tell I’m tryna act cool // But do I finally get to have you?”

While Dasha may have previously dabbled in pop music, it’s clear from What Happens Now? that country is truly where her heart lies… and where she belongs.

What Happens Now? Tracklist:

  1. What Happens Now?
  2. 42
  3. Austin
  4. King of California
  5. Drown Me
  6. Talk Of The Town
  7. Share this City
  8. Even Cowboys Cry

Country Swag Picks:

  1. “Austin”
  2. “Even Cowboys Cry”
  3. “42”
dasha-debut-album

Dasha shares her debut album, ‘What Happens Now?,’ out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Dasha releases.

To keep up with Dasha, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. 

What Happens Now? is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

Dasha Announces Debut Album + Shares New Song “42”

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Dasha shares new song “42,” out now, January 11th, on all streaming platforms and announces date for the release of her debut album. Learn more here.

Last year we introduced you to a unique, singer-songwriter that is taking Nashville by storm. Dasha is one of the most introspective and alluring entertainers on the scene right now. Today, she shared the news that she is releasing her debut album, What Happens Now, out February 16th. To celebrate the news, Dasha is sharing a taste of the album with a brand new song called, “42.”

On the new song, Dasha invites fans into her heart, as she shares a conversation between her and a long-distance love interest. “42” reads like an authentic diary entry. The song swims in the seas of vulnerability and raw emotion, something that Dasha seems to excel in. Although the song is a ballad, “42” still has the edge that we have come to love from all of the songstress’ former releases.

“You ask how many more days // and I say 42 ’til I move back to Nashville // Said you’ve been counting too // It’s strange how in November // It’ll be a year of missing you // I almost can’t believe it // I get to see you soon // More than just a visit, I’ll be living 10 from you // I’m praying that we’ll pick up back where we left off in that back room”

Dasha is proving herself to be one to look out for. We look forward to seeing what Dasha has coming down the pipeline next, and we cannot wait for fans to hear her debut album, What Happens Now. Stay on the look out!

Dasha-song-42

Dasha shares new song, “42,” out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Dasha releases.

To keep up with Dasha, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. 

“42” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

dasha-new-song

Dasha Shares New Song “King of California” Out Now

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Dasha shares new song “King of California,” out now, December 15th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Dasha is emerging as one of the most interesting new singer-songwriters on the country music scene right now. Her song, “Austin” showcased her unique style and story-telling. Today, she strips things down a bit more with a slower, more introspective song with that signature Dasha flair. “King of California” is officially out now.

“This track is almost a continuation of the story told in “Austin,” shared the songstress in a recent press release.  “As a songwriter, I love creating worlds in which the same characters exist in more than one song so I wanted to continue that tumultuous love story. “So “King of California”  is basically 40 years later and no matter how beautiful life is or where in the world I am, this person and their memory still trumps it all.”

“King of California” depicts how it feels to still be thinking of that previous flame. Despite the heartbreak and the tumultuous moments, the love seems to still transcend it all. Throughout the song, Dasha finds a way to win the hearts of listeners everywhere, while also delivering a unique sound and style that is proving to be quite the ear worm.

Dasha is proving herself to be one to look out for. We look forward to seeing what Dasha has coming down the pipeline next!

Dasha-new-song

Dasha’s new song, “King of California” is out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Dasha releases.

To keep up with Dasha, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. 

“King of California” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

who-is-dasha

Who is Dasha? The Story Behind Her Journey to Country Music

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Who is Dasha? The singer-songwriter joined us to chat about her journey to country music. Get to know the rising star here…

Quick Facts:

Full Name – Dasha
Birthdate – 2/27/2000
Hometown – San Luis Obispo, CA
Current City – Nashville, Tennessee
Musical Influences – Kacey Musgraves, SZA, Medium Build, Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers
Label – Version iii
Current Single – “Austin” (as of date of article: 11/20/23)

who-is-dasha

Dasha // Photo credit: Adam Budd

The Beginning:

Today’s spotlight shines on a promising entertainer has been an artist and a performer her whole life. California native, Dasha has always had a knack for songwriting and a love for music. While, she started her career creating pop music, the songstress decided to head back to her roots to create country music. We chatted with her all about the switch and her story.

“I grew up in San Luis Obispo, California. It’s a small town on the coast, and I was super influenced by my community, because they are so big on live music and songwriting. There were always writer’s rounds happening, and a very big songwriting presence in my small town,” began Dasha. While her town was not known for anything musical, the songwriting community was something that spoke to the songstress at an early age.

“I first got into the whole world of entertainment when I got into musical theater around age five. I became obsessed with performing and storytelling on stage, basically just putting on a show,” she shared. Adding, “By age eight, I picked up piano and guitar. I had always been really into poetry as a kid, too. I was a really dramatic child, so the idea of writing all of these poems about the boys I liked in class, I loved it, and it was really exciting for me. I was already songwriting without knowing what songwriting was.”

At just ten years old, Dasha found herself performing at coffee shoppes with a local songwriter, who took her under her wing. “I just kept writing and writing. I released my first song at thirteen. It was my birthday present to get a song professionally recorded.” Dasha recalls finding inspiration in powerful female artists like Dolly Parton, Kacey Musgraves, and Avril Lavigne. She knew she wanted to be an artist.

Through high school, the singer-songwriter worked with her brother, who was into the production side of music. She spent time at her family’s studio writing as much music as she possibly could. Eventually, she headed off to Belmont University in Nashville to progress her knowledge and artistry.

The Turning Point:

With eyes only for Belmont, Dasha was on her way to chase her dream. “I got in early acceptance, and got into the songwriting program. I went out there fall of 2018 and absolutely loved it. I learned so much in my two years there. I already had a good grasp on what makes a good song, but it’s really interesting learning the names for the tools or the names for the techniques that these huge songwriters use. […] I got my songs torn apart in the best way.”

While in college, Dasha primarily wrote and recorded pop music. Eventually, during the pandemic, the singer trusted her gut, and decided to quit school in favor of moving to Los Angeles to further her budding pop career. “COVID hit in 2020, and we all got sent home. Around that time is when I decided I was going to dropout, and move to L.A. because during 2020, I had started posting my songs to TikTok and I had a few viral videos, which was awesome. It got me my management. It just felt right at the time,” she shared. She even dropped her debut album, Dirty Blonde, which consists of seventeen songs.

However, despite still loving music, she was no longer feeling drawn to pop music. “I had this epiphany and was like ‘I have to go back to my roots and start making country music again’, so in the last nine months to a year, I’ve really dove into that […] I have never had such an amazing time making music before. Music has never come so effortlessly to me before as it has with this music. It’s the beginning of this new country era.”

Today:

Flash forward to today, Dasha has spent the last nine plus months falling back in love with country music, the music she would write and create as a little girl. After two years in L.A., the songstress made the move back to Nashville yet again. “I really try to incorporate the love of rhyming and poetry and storytelling into my songs because that’s what I love about it,” she shared.

Earlier this year, Dasha shared her first country single, “Even Cowboys Cry,” which showcases her incredible talent and knack for honest storytelling. She recently followed up that single with an anthemic and haunting song called, “Austin.”

“‘Austin’ is one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever written. The story behind writing the song is really cool,” she began. “We were all writing this song called “Play Dumb.” It was like this cheating song about knowing someone’s cheating on you, but playing dumb, so you can hold on a little bit longer, and I didn’t relate to the song, so I was having trouble writing it.”

Dasha went on to add, “We were trying to get the chorus, and I was like we need to country-fy this, and Adam started playing the chords for “Austin” exactly how you hear them, and I was like that’s good, even though it wasn’t in the same key or the same chords. I started freestyling over it, and I started the chorus for “Austin”… exactly how you hear it.”

Dasha and her fellow collaborators went on to ditch the song that they were originally working on in favor of creating “Austin.” The song was done in a matter of an hour. “We started creating this whole story about this guy who kind of screws you over and you leave him at this bar, and I love how angry it is. […] It crawls under your skin, because it’s not that you’re mad – mad, it’s like you’re hurt – mad, and I feel like that emotion really comes through in that song. We wrote it in an hour, which is crazy fast for a song.”

“Even Cowboys Cry” and “Austin” are the first of four singles for Dasha, as she expands into the country must genre. With a promise of a full-length album in the works for early 2024, fans can expect a lot more of the singer coming soon. Keep her on your radar!

Connect:

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news and announcements about future Dasha releases.

To keep up with Dasha, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.

Dasha’s music is available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released tunes on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.

who-is-dasha

Dasha Shares Brand New Song “Austin” Out Now

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Dasha shares brand new song “Austin,” out now, November 17th, on all streaming platforms. Listen to the new track below.

Country music newcomer, Dasha is showing fans and the genre what she is all about! Her last single, “Even Cowboys Cry” showcased her sensitive side and her writing prowess. Her brand new song, out today, “Austin” puts her grit and honesty on display yet again.

Dasha’s new song, “Austin” is a mid-tempo anthem that is laced with bravado, strength, and impressive, yet relatable storytelling. Throughout the song, Dasha expresses heartbreak and a broken relationship in a way that feels empowering. The “your loss” mentality will have any listener ready to stomp their boots and dance and sing all night to the catchy track.

“Empty cans and I’ll be damned // Your shit was never packed // Did your boots stop working // Did your truck break down // Did you burn through money // Did your ex find out // Where there’s a will, there’s a way // And I’m damn sure you lost it // Didn’t even say goodbye, I just wish I knew what caused it // Was the whiskey flowing // Were you in a fight // Did the nerves come get you // what’s your alibi / I made my way back to LA // That’s where you’ll be forgotten // in 40 years, you’ll still be here // Drunk, washed-up in Austin”

Dasha is proving herself to be one to look out for. Her unique style, storytelling, and tempos make for an enticing artist. We look forward to seeing what Dasha has coming down the pipeline next!

dasha-new-song-austin

Dasha shares new song, “Austin,” out now on all streaming platforms.

Fans can join our Weekly Round-Up e-newsletter here, for the latest in country music and more news about future Dasha releases.

To keep up with Dasha, follow her on Instagram and TikTok. 

“Austin” is now available everywhere you buy or stream music. Take a listen below and check out more new recently released music here on our ‘New Country Music’ playlist. Be sure to give the playlist a follow for your weekly new country music fix.