Daya is in the Driver’s Seat As She Takes Control of Her Artistry

Finding success at a young age doesn’t come easy after having your once run-of-the-mill life completely transformed. Now, at 20, DAYA continues to tread to new avenues, all the while being authentically herself.

Four years ago, then 16-year-old Grace Tandon—also known as Daya—came out with the viral hit, “Hide Away”, a record that thrust her into the limelight among pop royalty as it earned platinum status. What was once merely a hobby and an ordinary life soon turned into something colossal. “I started out playing instruments fairly young and it was just kind of inevitable that I would start singing at some point. I’d accompany myself and play concerts around where I grew up in Pittsburgh,” she shares. Making the trip to Los Angeles for a songwriting session for “Hide Away” became the very gateway for Daya’s decision to pursue music; falling in love with the craft from that point on. Since then, she has been on quite the high ride; garnering global success, signing to Interscope, and winning a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for her smash collaboration “Don’t Let Me Down” with The Chainsmokers. Succeeding this metamorphosis, Daya, now as an adult, definitely has a more noticeable air of confidence. She traded her ombré tresses for a short bob, started wearing whatever she wanted, and developed her own artistic style—something that she’s not reticent to stating when talking about her early days; admitting to not having complete control in her Sit Still era.

“[My hiatus] was really crucial for this next chapter—to take that time and focus on my personal growth and my growth as a songwriter. I made a lot of progress since I started out songwriting four years ago so to me, I wouldn’t give back those two years for anything.“

Now she’s in the driver’s seat. With this newfound grit came a fully-realized artist. ”I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus, hopefully, people still remember who I am. But I think that was really crucial for this next chapter—to take that time and focus on my personal growth and my growth as a songwriter,” explains Daya of her time away from the spotlight. From this, she flourished indeed—coming a long way from singing about finding good guys and comparisons to other girls to using songwriting as a means for empowerment; she absolutely has no regrets. “I made a lot of progress since I started out songwriting four years ago so to me, I wouldn’t give back those two years for anything.”

“The thorough line between all my songs is that it’s all very real and very personal. I like to keep it that way because to me, that’s just what art is supposed to be—it’s supposed to be real and from the heart. That’s what’s gonna connect with people the most.”

Holding back isn’t an option and she marked quite the milestone for herself when she came out as bisexual last year that amassed such an unmitigatedly warm response; one that bonded her closer with her fans and the queer community. “It’s been amazing. I’m so grateful for all the fans who didn’t even bat an eye and to the new fans that I’ve gained who have formed this kind of community with me and also identify as queer.” She’s firm on sticking true to the principle that art should be authentic and sincere. “That’s what’s going to connect with people the most,” Daya says candidly. While there’s no clear, pronounced path yet, she’s riveted with keeping it personal and honest. “I don’t really know how it’s gonna evolve lyrically [yet] but I know that it’s just always going to be from the heart.” As far as the present is concerned, the only way is up for Daya. She’s illustrating her own persona—her very own original self. On her stop to Manila during her promotional tour, Daya talks to us about her roots, opening up about her sexuality, and reveling in the felicity of love this time around.

Hi Daya! Going back to your roots—using a Hindi mononym that originates from your Punjabi heritage is a bold move considering artists who made their legacy in music such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Madonna. Why did you choose “Daya”?

Lots of good company [and] a lot of pressure [laughs]. There’s a lot of reasons; first and foremost, I wanted to keep my personal life personal, so I keep it separate. I keep a barrier between my personal life and then I want to trace back to my heritage because my grandpa immigrated from Delhi and that’s how I got Daya. I also feel like it just makes sense and it just looks good. It’s just on stage and everything; it all makes sense.

Since you mentioned about your heritage, does it also play a creative role in your music?

I’ve started to get more into Bollywood artists, Punjabi artists, and I’ve always just kind of loved the theatricality of it and they grow up with such a cool perspective about music and a lot of people in India are singers that can sing quarter tones, which we can’t even hear or sing in the States. So it’s just a crazy thing and I wanna study it more and try to bring it to my music at one point, but I just wanted a really, really interesting sound and culture as a whole.

You’ve collaborated with amazing artists such as Griffin, and The Chainsmokers, and won your first Grammy. At the young age of 20, what do you think contributed to this success?

A lot of people have contributed to my success. I think from the very get-go, I had a very strong team around me, a very strong foundation. My mom and the rest of my family has always been there for me since. And my label now, Interscope, they’re amazing. And The Chainsmokers helped a bunch. There have been so many people that have really taken a chance on me which I’m really grateful for.

How do you choose the artists you collaborate with?

If it’s a good song, then it’s a good song. I don't care if they have five followers or five million.

Your recent single “Insomnia” stays true to your distinct sound and you’ve kept the same level of anticipation from your fans evidently on the 6.8 million views on YouTube since its release. Following that, how would you keep that energy going from your fans? How do you make sure that all the music you release is highly regarded or highly anticipated?

The support has been amazing and I didn’t honestly know what to expect after taking so much time for myself for so long. But I’m really excited to build again with my fans and gain new ones. It’s a new era so hopefully my old fans are ready for that and the new ones are excited to join the family.

Tell us about “Insomnia”. What’s the creative process behind it?

Insomnia was written after a string of shows that I had. I was travelling a lot and I was in hotel rooms and can’t ever get a good night’s sleep for two weeks. I’ve always had little sleep problems but this was definitely to an extreme. I’ve wanted to touch on how hard it is sometimes to sleep without being with the person that you love. So it’s essentially a love song but it’s more like how their absence can make you go crazy sometimes.

Your style has evolved quite a lot since you began as an artist. There’s now a more relaxed sense of style with your approach to dressing. Is fashion and music both essential in your identity as an artist? Do they complement each other to build your brand?

Music and fashion go hand-in-hand for me. They’re both great mediums of expression and I’m really lucky to have the resources that I do to be able to express myself through clothes and I just love fashion. I love clothes.

You decided to open up about your sexuality last year, coming out as bisexual. What has been the response like since you came out?

The response has been incredible. It’s been so meaningful for me to have these conversations with [my fans] who have also struggled with their sexuality in the past, to relate to them, and finally feel like I’m not alone and that I have this community that will always build me up and support me.

What’s coming up for Daya? Any hints on new music you can tell us?

I have so much on the way that I’m so excited to share with you guys. I have an album in the works. I can’t say any dates yet but it’s coming soon and some touring this summer and next Fall.

Written by Steffi Solano

Interview by Cholo Katipunan

Photographed by Miguel Alomajan

Makeup by Apple Faraon

Hair by Jeff Valenzuela