Indie-Electro Pop Artist DISCO SHRINE Discusses Her New Singles, DJing In LA and More!

Get to know the indie/electro pop artist Disco Shrine! Her newest single, entitled “Everyday” is a follow up to Disco Shrine’s previous single “Up In The Air.” It represents the hard work that goes into achieving “the American dream”. Featuring punchy synths, soulful vocals and vibrant hip-hop rhymes the single evokes a powerful message, both sonically and thematically.

Disco Shrine is also known as a sought after DJ and has toured extensively throughout the US, as well as having been featured in outlets such as Refinery 29, The 405, Live Nations One’s To Watch and Earmilk, among others.

Check out “Everday” here- https://soundcloud.com/discoshrine/everyday-mstr-1 and https://youtu.be/JW17cgLUWK0

Jessica Delijani is the LA based, pop spark plug behind Disco Shrine. True to her tongue-in-cheek moniker, Disco Shrine makes music that plays around with the contrast between high energy electronic beats and sensual melodies. By embodying the mission of empowerment, Disco Shrine thrives off of being an outlet for listeners to be carefree, accepted, and liberated through dance music. Born in the San Fernando Valley, Delijani is a first generation Persian-American who grew up to her family hosting traditional Persian jam sessions. Spurred by her desire to join in on the party, Jessica taught herself guitar and banjo at the age of 16 and started writing/performing folk music.

After a few years of experimenting with “bedroom pop” at home, Delijani finally made her LA debut as Disco Shrine in 2015 and released her first pop EP, ‘Soft Fur’. Her multi-dynamic project encompasses everything from songwriting and dance performances to DJing! After a few months of playing at all of the quintessential LA landmarks, Delijani became an official Lights and Music Collective DJ, touring all throughout the U.S. and performing at iconic parties like Dance Yourself Clean, Candi Pop, and Beyonce Vs Rihanna. 

‘Everyday’ is the follow up to highly acclaimed single ‘Up In The Air’ – a song which narrated Delijani’s parents tale of immigrating to America in order to give me a better life. ‘Everyday’ is all about seizing that opportunity and not taking it for granted. Delijani explains, “The sentiment of the chorus is “Everyday I’m on my own”. It’s not meant to be a melancholy sentiment, but one that represents the hard work that goes into achieving your dreams. Because at the end of the day, the only person that’s going to really believe in you and get you to where you want to go is yourself”. The highly anticipated single features punchy synths, soulful vocals and vibrant hiphop rhymes, evoking a powerful message, both sonically and thematically. Collaborating with rapper Omenihu, who has been through similar changes in his life, the Austin born, Los Angeles based rapper adds a vibrant sonic palette through his use of verbal inventiveness.

If she’s not starting the party on stage, she’s helping to throw it off stage. Delijani hasn’t always been in the spotlight, but started by working as a behind the scenes event producer, helping to throw various dance parties and festivals in LA and San Francisco. This love for bringing the community together through music is reflected in her high energy synth pop sound that is bound to get you grooving whether you’re in the car or on the dance floor.

Delijani’s previous single ‘Up In The Air’ was released via French Label Kitsune which was a collaboration with the NBA. The single received hit charts in Spain, Sweden and Greece and garnered acclaim by the likes of Earmilk, The 405, and Refinery 29. The songstress has played at some of the most prestigious venues across the States, as well as performing to sold out audiences. Disco Shrine continues her musical endeavour with ‘Everyday’ currently available worldwide.

Connect With Disco Shrine Here:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/discoshrine/

Website: https://discoshrine.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DiscoShrine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoshrine

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/discoshrine

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1IkijWWvTvWKuZ90kHwdHA

Learn more about Disco Shrine in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you now? Is there music playing in the background? 

I’m in my apt right now and Odesza is playing in the background.

Now that we are on the back end of the year, how do you think 2018 has treated you and your career? What has been one goal that you have had this year and how close are you to reaching it? Or did you already reach it?

This year was an amazing year of checking off bucket list goals, some I didn’t even know I had! I put myself out there a lot, released new music, new music videos, played tons of shows, traveled across the united states, met so many amazing artists, played with a lot of amazing artists in venues I’ve dreamed about playing, and also played in a lot of weird places I never dreamed of playing. Santa Monica Pier was one of the standout places I performed at this year. I remember seeing videos of my family going there as tourists when they first came to America and seeing them be so proud of me to perform at such an iconic venue was a special moment for me <3

Growing up, how important was music to you? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?  

Music has always played such a huge part of my life. It’s what helped me get my emotions out as a kid. When I got a little older I started working behind the scenes in music, working at music festivals and concerts. It wasn’t until I was 16 that I decided to pick up guitar/banjo myself and play. It was the easiest/best decision of my life. Nothing makes me happier and is more therapeutic/rewarding than writing and performing music.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

I think it’s been a surprise finding the different avenues in music that you can make money in. DJing has been amazing for me and it allows me to travel and get paid at the same time, a literal dream. Then there’s also writing for film/tv and other behind the scenes stuff in music that can make a lot of money. I think people mainly think you make money off of shows, but that’s not the case. ]

What was the inspiration for your recent single “Everyday” and “Up In The Air”? What was it like collaborating with the rapper Omenihu?

Everyday is the follow up to my last single, Up In The Air, which was inspired by my parents immigrating to America after the Iranian Revolution in the hopes that they could give my family a better future. Everyday is all about seizing that opportunity and not taking it for granted. I knew I wanted to work with Omenihu because he had just made the big move to leave his home behind in Austin to pursue his dreams as a rapper in LA. So, it made for the perfect collaboration.

When do you hope to release more new music and a full collection of new songs?

2019!! Next year will be a big year of getting music/ideas out. I’m so excited!

I have been wanting to attend the Beyonce Vs. Rihanna dance parties in LA so I am curious what they have been like for you? Do you hope to continue to DJ them?

You have to come to one! They are sooo much fun! I’ve been doing it for about two years now and it’s been a blessing being able to travel to all the major cities across the US and throw huge parties. It’s been wild for sure. They’ve definitely taught me to be really comfortable in front of large audiences. I think unlike other tribute parties, the most amazing thing about Beyonce vs Rihana is that by the end of the night, it feels like everyone is family. Because everyone knows every single lyric to every song and people will stay up in the front of the stage the entire time. We get down to their bangers, but then hug it out to some of their ballads. It’s definitely a super fun, special party.

How did you get involved with the Billy Ball? What does it mean to you to be a part of it?

Billy Ball was thrown by Dorian Electra, Charli XCX, and Allie X. I met Dorian in October playing a show together at USC and we just became friends after that. That’s when they reached out to me about playing Billy Ball. That was such a magical show to be a part of. There were so many talented artists coming together for such a good cause… I was definitely grateful that Dorian asked me to play. What a total badass / jack of all trades btw. Not only did they spend months planning Billy Ball as a fundraiser for Billy’s cancer treatment, but Dorian also played my laundromat release party the night before Billy Ball and totally killed it! It’s really refreshing to see such genuine artists out there hustling, but also bringing people together and creating a special community. You could definitely feel the love at Billy Ball on all ends, and I think a lot of that has to do with the community that Dorian, Charli, and all of these artists are creating together <3

What has been a favorite performance of yours so far?

I think my top three have been Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, Santa Monica Pier, and Billy Ball <3

What does it mean to you be known as the Persian Barbie?

It’s my sassy alter ego that lets me unleash the inner persian diva that’s inside me <3 we all have a little bit of persian barbie in us 😉

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

Definitely! It’s really hard putting so much of myself out there for the world to see. Sometimes it’s exhausting and I want to escape social media for a while, but it’s the moments when I get messages from people who can relate to me and my music… that’s what makes it all worth it. Instagram is definitely my social media of choice. It’s just so easy to connect with people there and have direct streams of communication. I’ve befriended so many people from across the world through it.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

I stan Gwen Stefani! I think she is such a badass and so unafraid of being herself. I definitely try and channel her before I do a show. As far as music inspiration goes, it’s always changing and evolving. I have so many artists and people that inspire me constantly. There’s no one.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island forever, what musical item would you take with you and why? 

My laptop, my keyboard, my guitar! Is that too many items! I need all of those items to make me happy because they’re my writing tools. All the other gadgets are just extra!

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

I would die if my music was on Keeping up with the Kardashians. I secretly/not so secretly love them! haha Or a really cool indie film! One of my songs was featured in this awesome coming of age film called Rich Kids.

Do you have any tour dates you would like to tell our readers about? How will you be spending your winter?

I just finished playing a ton of shows, but I am playing more in the new year! I’ll be travelling a lot for DJ gigs (tba) and am currently playing the Echo on Feb 6th with Drama and Claire George.

At the end of the day, what do you hope your fans take away from your music? I’d like to know more about how you want your music to be timeless?

I just want my fans to feel a safe space where they can be themselves and be proud of who they are and where they come from, but can also dance while doing so <3