We're all aware of how hateful the internet can be. Country singer Dasha, who talked about the hate she receives with Rolling Stone magazine, has a unique perspective on this. "As a species, I don't think we're meant to hear that many opinions about ourselves, good or bad."
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As she chatted with Joe Hudak, the "Austin(Boots Stop Workin)" singer delved into the inspiration behind her song, "Oh, Anna!". The song is a tribute to her younger self, from times she felt like she didn't know who she was. These moments were scary for her, especially because she felt she'd always been so sure of herself growing up. Her Anna EP allows fans to see her personality and love who she is, separate from the spotlight.
In November of 2023, Dasha released "Austin (Boots Stop Workin)" as a single, but it didn't go viral until early 2024. After posting a video on TikTok of her doing a line dance to the song, it caught on as a massive trend, catapulting her into the spotlight.
Dasha revealed that such quick success can often be a double-edged sword.
"Having a song that went that insanely viral was such a gift, and I'm so so grateful for that," she shared. She also admitted that she had a lot to do, like picking a team and developing a brand for herself. This typically takes most artists years to do successfully. "I really just had to like trust my gut and kind of go for it and after a while, because there was just so much going on, my gut got so worn out that I just had to start trusting the people around me." After getting "lost in the sauce," Dasha felt she needed "Anna" the most.
Losing Herself Became the Inspiration Behind "Oh Anna!"
When online opinions were rampant and her fame was on the rise, Dasha went back to her younger self. This is what gave her the inspiration behind her song "Oh, Anna!". In a writing session with songwriters Hillary Lindsey and Emily Wiseband, she went in with a lot of emotions. Thinking she wanted to write about another girl, Dasha suggested writing a song with a name in it.
The writers settled on "Anna," which she went by until she started releasing music at 13. "We just started talking about who I was as a kid and I realized how much I missed her. I really, really missed her, and I realized how much I can't do this without her, and I realized I shouldn't have to."
In an internet space where rising stars are often picked on, Dasha told Rolling Stone, "[the hate] just digs in on things that I've said about myself in my moments of weakness." This Friday, Dasha dropped her Anna EP, which gives her an opportunity to share her narrative. "People started filling in blanks and I feel like I didn't have the chance to fully tell my story," which is exactly what Anna does.
The EP not only features fan favorites like "Not At This Party" and new releases like "Like It Like That", but also has heavy hitters like "Oh, Anna!" and "Please Stop Changing". The project gives people an opportunity to get to know her for who she is, despite what they think they know. Dasha shared in her interview, "That little girl in me, I'm so proud of her, and she would be so proud of me. [Anna] just kind of tells the whole story of who I am at the core."
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