Page 12 - ION Indie Magazine MayJune 2020 Issue

LAS: What is your favorite song to perform?

DLR: This is really tough. There are so many songs that move me when I sing them. Songs
DLR: This is really tough. There are so many songs that move me
when I sing them. Songs from my childhood usually move me the always honored to
from my childhood usually move me the most. I will say that I’m
perform ‘I Will Always Love You’ in the style of Chris Cornell. I mean, when a song has
most. I will say that I’m always honored to perform ‘I Will Always
the mojo of Dolly, Whitney, and Chis, that’s pretty magical.
Love You’ in the style of Chris Cornell. I mean, when a song has the
mojo of Dolly, Whitney, and Chis, that’s pretty magical.

LAS: What is the best advice you’ve been given?

DLR: ‘Hire people.’ This came from a mentor in the business world, and how
DLR: ‘Hire people.’ This came from a mentor in the business world,
it translates to me is to invest in professionals to take over parts of my business
and how it translates to me is to invest in professionals to take over
rather than do it all myself. Obviously, this can’t all happen all at once for
parts of my business rather than do it all myself. Obviously, this
can’t all happen all at once for most artists, but it’s been a game- by little in
most artists, but it’s been a game-changer to invest little
professional partners for projects like records, music videos, and
changer to invest little by little in professional partners for projects
photography.
like records, music videos, and photography.

LAS: If you could change anything about the industry, what would
it be?

DLR: It feels like we’re in this weird limbo between the days of the
record deal and full autonomy for independent artists. I see more
opportunity for industry professionals to cater to the independent
artist. I encourage pros to market services and consultation that
support that artists’ autonomy and I encourage artists to seek
those kinds of partners and to invest in their services.

LAS: What’s next for you?

DLR: I’m wrapping up a new project, a 5-song EP called ‘Mirrors,’
set to release in early summer 2020. Social distancing around
COVID-19 has radically changed my release strategy for this
project. I was planning a large-scale local show and a summer
tour to promote the songs, but now it’s looking like we will rely on
digital communication for our release-related activities. Even
though I’m bummed to miss out on the face-to-face events
around the project, I still believe releasing these songs will
generate some important conversations and connection, and I
am completely stoked about that! The songs are about soul-
seeking, truth-telling, and taking stock of what’s really important in
life. These are things we’re all thinking about right now and
conversations I am dying to engage in. Thank you for helping me
invite folks to those conversations.