Indo-Canadian artist Dahlia respects each little musical win. And do you know, she’s chalking them up. A feature in Rolling Stone India ended with a personal pat on the back. With years of dedication and seeking acknowledgement, it meant the world to her. This was a sign from the universe she was looking for that told her to keep going on this artistic trail. Aim big, they say. Moved by their fashion line, a dream collaboration for Dahlia would be with Savage Fenty and Rihanna.
Her Relationship with music began when she was seven, coming from an interest in poetic writings. As an impressionable girl, she sang in front of a few hundred people, and that’s all it took. She was now sure it was music that made her happy. “In my mind, I wanted nothing more.” That notion hasn’t faltered as she’s still that little girl inside who lives and breathes to create sound and share it with anyone willing to listen.
Along with performing, Dalia’s urge to write poetry turned to song. The possibilities of the piano came into the mix when her sister purchased a Steinway piano that enchanted her. “I entered a songwriting contest where I won a music video from award-winning cinematographer Tom Antos. It was a cosmic sign and a push to get me into the studio to record Tomorrow Tonight.” Like her earlier works, the song is a pop ballad where the lyrics and piano melody lead the way.
No character is two-dimensional, and an artist’s sound reflects all the intricate parts of their personality, both positive and negative. “I’m guilty of emotional ballads as my sad girl era wears off. But, I also use the vivacity of my nature by creating music that makes you move your hips to the beat.” Dahlia’s sound is lets her tell the stories bursting to get out. At the root, she’ll always remain a poet crafting the music to her writing. “My writing ranges from intense and emotional to fun and hard-hitting.”
She’s a hybrid of many cultures and genres. Because the music industry can use formulas to push things out; she’s trickier to market. “My family is from Goa in India, which the Portuguese colonised. I don’t easily fall into any main Indian genres of music, and I don’t sing in Hindi or Punjabi.” People can also label her as ‘not Indian enough’. Moving to Canada 26 years ago, the market was primarily rock and hip-hop-centric. It was hard to fit in when your soul is poppy.
On top of that, some said she should be more Canadian. “I am not even sure what that means exactly. My last name, Fernandes, prompted questions like, ‘Do you make Latin Pop?’. There’s lots to contend with, but Dalia has determination to beat the odds. “Perhaps my road might be harder and longer.” On a more hopeful note, it satisfies her to see platforms exist for third-culture kids to make genre-defying, culture-bending creations. “The art is highly evocative, and slowly, there’s acceptance of it in a bigger way.”
With words so crucial to Dahlia’s being, the clout of her heroes impacts her songwriting and how she experiments with her voice. “I imagine, because I have loved a kaleidoscope of artists throughout my life, from Erykah Badu to Patsy Cline, my art probably sounds like a musical soup.” The songs layer South Asian vocal trills, and their lead melodies flirt with pop and R&B flavours. “My peers often inspire me, and I’d love to put out records with Tona, TOBi and Denise De’ion.”
The process of getting music out to listeners varies from artist to artist. She spends her time wisely, consistently creating authentic connections with artist pals, collaborators and promoters globally to learn and co-promote her music. Over the last two years, Dahlia’s seen Toronto’s acoustic vista evolve. . “Community initiatives to promote and grow together are at the forefront. It’s a blessing that my incredible team at Legacy Cave is strategic, creative and innovative in all they do.”
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