Q&A: dye Releases New Shoegaze Single “Dirt”
☆ BY kylee wiens ☆
ATMOSPHERIC, COSMIC AND DARK – LA’s own dye has crafted a distinct sonic charm in new single “Dirt,” dye – AKA Daniel Ye – seamlessly blends conventions of goth, pop and shoegaze to create a deeply personal listening experience.
Listeners are taken on an emotional journey throughout the track as dye explores themes of vulnerability, longing and disappointment. Whispers of influences from the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails and the Cure are woven into dye’s distinct vocal delivery. Breathy and airy, dye’s voice allows for his introspective lyricism to shine.
Luna had the recent opportunity to chat with dye about genre, astrology, and of course the new single. Stream “Dirt” and read on to hear dye’s thoughtful responses to Luna’s burning questions.
LUNA: Have you listened to any music today? If so, what?
DYE:I’ve been on a Radiohead kick lately. The Bends and Ok Computer especially. Just timeless songs.
LUNA: What’s your astrological sign? Do you believe in astrology?
DYE: I’m a Sagittarius. Don’t know enough about it to give an opinion, I’m leaning towards no.
LUNA: What media do you like to consume to get inspired to make music?
DYE: I don’t really consume anything. I think if I were to try to make a song like said artist or whatever then it’ll just end up being derivative and unoriginal. I just listen to what I like and write without any end goal in mind.
LUNA: Best album of 2024? Or album of the summer?
DYE: I really like that new Lemon Twigs record “A Dream is All We Know”
LUNA: How do you get out of a creative slump?
DYE: I take long walks...it works surprisingly well for some reason.
LUNA: Do you create more when happy or sad? How do you tap into creativity when feeling the opposite emotion?
DYE: I can’t write a damn thing when I’m happy. Luckily for me, I’m sad most of the time so it works out.
LUNA: Do you have a favorite hobby outside of making music?
DYE: I like to smoke cigarettes and play retro video games.
LUNA: What role do you think genre plays in today’s musical landscape?
DYE: It’s completely meaningless. If you’re still thinking about genre in 2024 then you’ve lost the plot.
LUNA: What is your songwriting process like?
DYE: I got in the studio with my producers Zach Jones and KJ Strock and we just started writing. It’s a pretty organic process. I come up with the melodies, then KJ writes the guitar parts and Zach does his thing on the production side. We make a good team.
LUNA: Is there anything else you want to share about the new single?
DYE:It’s more or less a post-punk tune with a catchy melody that you can dance to. The song came together fast, it’s definitely one of my favorites that I’ve written.
