1: When/where do you do your best writing?
- I do my best writing when I have something to say. A lot of the time my songs are responses to something that's already on my mind. Things that are affecting me, things in the news. What's going on, how I feel about it. It's more like, what is the reason rather than when or where. I usually have something to say. Sometimes I've had great results writing with a particular person in mind. Wondering if that person would sing this song or if they would like it or listen to it.
2: Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else, or a combination?
- I do write about all the above. (Not really made up stories) but what I'm actually trying to do, is to write/describe emotions. It's more about the vibe. That's why I get so crazy about production and recording. I get incredibly frustrated when I record because I'm not always able, or not always in the financial position, to put across what I hear in my head. I want them to feel something.
3: What’s the best advice you have ever gotten from another musician?
- I saw a clip of David Bowie, talking about working on projects. He was saying something like, if you feel out of your depth you're probably going in the right direction. That helped me tremendously. The amount of projects that I've gotten myself involved in (and the ones that are still on my list) - I often wonder what the hell made me think this was a good idea. Even now, as recently as last night, I'm asking myself, why do I keep making music. I'm constantly chastising myself for being too ambitious with my ideas. I'm not trained in any of this stuff. I've been DIY-ing for years, trying to compete in spaces that are so obviously out of my depth or closed to me. I'm always surprised if people respond positively.
4: What has been your biggest struggle so far?
- That has to be adhering to industry norms. I'm aware that there are certain ways of doing things and that's how the industry works but I've always thought that these norms work only for a small percentage or artists. We adhere because we have to, or our work doesn't get seen on larger platforms.
During lockdown I watched a Zoom panel of industry professionals giving us all advice. There were many 'absolutely-but-not-always' rules. Lots of contradictions. Lots of "we really want to hear new music, here are my details - but don't contact me." Lol. I dunno. There's music, then there's the industry and I'm still trying to figure out the overlap and where I fit in.
5: Who would you love to collaborate with?
- I got tweeted by RSON from Gangstagrass about collaborating. I definitely want to make that happen. I love what they're doing and what they're about. I've been a fan for a while now. Anyone who is genre jumping and busting stereotypes, I'm definitely in! Also, Bad Flamingo, I really like them. Sonically, aesthetically, they tick my boxes. There are a few people I'd love to collaborate with, Adrian Utley of Portishead, Jack White.
6: Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
- Right now I'm listening to Lady Nade, Queen Esther, Karen & The Sorrows, D'Orjay The Shaman, Juliet & Nanette. I also listen to a lot of music by people I've met while gigging, or have found on Bandcamp.
7: Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
- Hmmm, my goals are super lofty. They're pretty crazy considering my status in the music industry food chain. I dunno, I'd like to work with Tony Visconti, I'd like to write and sing a James Bond Theme. I'd like to get songs in movies. My music is pretty cinematic anyway. Maybe it's not so crazy. I sang solo at Westminster Abbey. That was pretty wild. I sang at the Olympics. Who knows, it might all still happen.
8: Do you have a favorite gift from a fan?
- Anyone who takes the time to listen to or look at anything I do, that's my favorite gift. Our time here is brief. We're all busy or distracted. A fan's time - this is gold! Anyone who grants me that, who spends their free time on my work, that's a big deal to me. I really value this. It's a gift and it's always my favorite.
- I got tweeted by RSON from Gangstagrass about collaborating. I definitely want to make that happen. I love what they're doing and what they're about. I've been a fan for a while now. Anyone who is genre jumping and busting stereotypes, I'm definitely in! Also, Bad Flamingo, I really like them. Sonically, aesthetically, they tick my boxes. There are a few people I'd love to collaborate with, Adrian Utley of Portishead, Jack White.
6: Recent release you cannot stop listening to?
- Right now I'm listening to Lady Nade, Queen Esther, Karen & The Sorrows, D'Orjay The Shaman, Juliet & Nanette. I also listen to a lot of music by people I've met while gigging, or have found on Bandcamp.
7: Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
- Hmmm, my goals are super lofty. They're pretty crazy considering my status in the music industry food chain. I dunno, I'd like to work with Tony Visconti, I'd like to write and sing a James Bond Theme. I'd like to get songs in movies. My music is pretty cinematic anyway. Maybe it's not so crazy. I sang solo at Westminster Abbey. That was pretty wild. I sang at the Olympics. Who knows, it might all still happen.
8: Do you have a favorite gift from a fan?
- Anyone who takes the time to listen to or look at anything I do, that's my favorite gift. Our time here is brief. We're all busy or distracted. A fan's time - this is gold! Anyone who grants me that, who spends their free time on my work, that's a big deal to me. I really value this. It's a gift and it's always my favorite.
With roots going back to the mountains of Haiti and to the hills of Tallahassee Florida, the London-based singer and performance artist DeLila Black straddles the spaces between both modern and classic styles to create her own distinct sound, blending her traditional roots with strong lyrical content and beautiful vocals. Black is also a recent recipient of a Color Me Country grant, which helped her pay to finish this song. Started by musician and Apple podcast host, Rissi Palmer, with help from The Rainey Day Fund, the grant was created to support the underrepresented voices of BIPOC artists in country music.