Following on from the release of her much-loved live EP 'Songs From Last Fall' last year, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Dilly Cooner is now back once again with her vibrant new single 'Lovin' You'.
Capturing more of that bright and uplifting folk-pop aesthetic she is known for, 'Lovin' You' makes for a wonderfully warm and inviting listen. With her sweet and tender vocals layered across a shimmering production from start to finish, she is continuing to cement herself as one of the more passionate names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I first fell in love with the voice. People don’t traditionally think of the voice as an instrument but I am fascinated by its intricacies, the different tones that it can achieve, and the sheer versatility!
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I have core memories of listening to Bob Marley in the car on the way to school with my Dad and younger brother. I’m so grateful to my Dad for introducing me to an artist with such an incredible ability to use music as a means for both personal and political expression; Bob Marley continues to inspire me to this day.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album that I ever owned was “Pop” by the sibling duo Same Difference who rose to fame on the X Factor back in the day. I got the CD for Christmas and was so excited, I was a big X Factor fan when I was younger!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
“Both Sides Now” by none other than Joni Mitchell is some of the best songwriting I’ve ever seen. The way she captures the nuances of love, life, and loss in such a beautifully tragic way leaves me both in awe and admiration of her perspective and ability.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
If anything, my habit is that I have no habits! When I write, it is usually to make sense of an emotion that I have been feeling and so I try to write with no rules other than to be completely honest and true to my thoughts and feelings in the moment. With that being said, a cup of lemon ginger tea is a tried and true writing staple of mine!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lately I have found myself listening to a lot of Olivia Dean, a British neo-soul artist, Jesse Gold, a Canadian R&B artist, and Ed Sheeran, who’s remained a staple on my playlists since I was a teenager.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ed Sheeran, hands down, without a doubt. I am inspired by his ability to tell stories in raw and authentic ways, his versatility as an artist, and the way he has built his brand around his values.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
There are so many things that I find rewarding about being a musician, from finding the exact chord progression to convey a feeling to the buzz you get after a live performance. But above all, I value the moments with people where they tell me that I song I wrote helped them to make sense of their own feelings. I love being able to relate and connect to people that way, it’s deeply humanizing.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I think being a woman of colour in the industry can mean that I am stereotyped, underestimated, or overlooked by those in power and it can be a frustrating space to be in. However, I know that those who are meant to resonate with my work will find it, and those who I am meant to be connected to I’ll connect with; I have faith in that.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
An old friend of mine bought me a Masego cameo video (an artist who I adore!) as a gift a few years ago and in the video Masego told me that his key to creativity was to make mistakes. Only in our mistakes do our most creative ideas flow, we can’t think of something original or even feel something original in the music if we stick to our comfort zone or what is familiar to us. That advice sticks with me.
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Dilly Cooner's new single 'Lovin' You' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.