LISTEN to An Exclusive Interview with Newcomer Pop Singer-Songwriter, DAYA!

Get to know the pop world’s latest sensation- Daya [pronunciation “dey-uh”]!

“Ever since I was three-years-old, I wanted to play music,” she affirms. “It showed me who I am, and I get to tell my story of self-discovery in my songs.”

Taking lessons from a neighborhood teacher, Daya began playing piano at the age of three. She switched from classical to jazz at eleven, while picking up guitar, ukulele, saxophone, and flute along the way. As a teen, the Pittsburgh native found her voice studying at the Accelerando Music Conservatory. During a visit to the school, platinum songwriter and producer Gino Barletta [JoJo, Miranda Cosgrove, Jessica Mauboy] heard Daya sing and collaborated with her over the following years, until recently inviting her to Los Angeles for a writing session in February 2015.

Their week together yielded her debut hit single “Hide Away.” Combining simplistic synth melodies, a power hook, and an emotionally charged vocal, the song poses the question, “Where do the good boys go to hide away?”

“To me, ‘Hide Away’ is about waiting for that someone who will love and appreciate you for exactly who you are. As a sixteen-year-old, I’m still figuring out who I am and what it is that I want. I’m not in any rush to settle. When it comes to my music, I always want to make sure that I’m doing something that sounds unique, while still conveying a message that’s universal” she leaves off. “I want to empower people to recognize their dreams, be able to chase them, and never be afraid of that.”

Tomorrow, Daya will be releasing her self-titled EP via Artbeatz , but until then, LISTEN to this interview All Access writer, Leah Adams recently had with her. They spent time chatting with about Daya’s busy summer, her music and what kind of role model she hopes to be for her fans. Enjoy!