SVD Voices: Dania Macias

 

Is music a new, recent language for you? When did you see it, and how did the vision become clear? 

I feel like music has always been a language that I understood, but speaking and writing it is new. I have been in music studios before and have had friends who would see some kind of talent in me, but every time they sat me in front of a mic I wasn’t feeling it or couldn’t work with what they made me sing, so from the very first day that I started writing my own songs and recorded them 2.5 years ago, the vision has been clear. 

 

You’ve said you felt seen. How do you feel when you’re heard?

This goes way back to my childhood. I grew up in a small town close to Hamburg, Germany, where it was easy for me to feel “seen” because all the other kids were white. That’s not necessarily a nice way of standing out, but I learned how to own it for sure. I think saying shit that would inspire people to think outside the box is something I’ve always rooted for, and I value that more than being seen. I mean, theoretically, my words could inspire a mind to change the world. 

 

What does ONE OF ONE mean? How literal is the meaning?

OOO is definitely about feeling confident with what “God” gave you. Throughout the making of the EP, I realized how important it is to 1) know your worth and 2) be independent. So while I was struggling to live up to both, the words that came out of me have now somehow become my pathway to actually work closer towards making both of these things a reality for me. Therefore, the title is meant very literal: if you don’t see that you’re one of one, you can’t move like a #1.

 

What sounds and rhythms can we find on the EP? What instruments?

I’m not a big fan of labeling my sound, because I think it doesn’t fit in any specific genre, and I actually like the challenge that comes with it. But the leading forces are obviously hip-hop and rap. I made sure that the island girl in me found home within the project as well, so there’s jazzy and Latin sounds in there too. 

 

Which do you think is the most recurrent theme for you to sing about? 

I don’t wanna create a wall around me, so I don’t know how to answer this question. 

 

Tell us about singing in Spanish…

I have a very personal and intimate relationship with the Spanish language. I was raised in Spanish from my mother’s side, and so I speak fluently, but ever since she passed away I’ve had this blockade inside of me when it comes to speaking to strangers in my mother language. The mic definitely freed me from that – at least partly. With H.UPMANN, just from getting the words out, I actually healed a lot of wounds that I carried with me from my childhood still. 

 

 

What are your biggest inspirations? Who do you look up to?

I’m gonna give it to Kid Cudi just because being a fan of his for around 14 years has never felt for one second like being an overly obsessed fanatic, but being part of a community that just gets it. People that aren’t afraid to dig in deeper and dare to feel both the pain and the joy, and I appreciate that. He’s definitely saved my life several times and deserves all the flowers. 

While composing this EP, how did you feel you were building DANIA, the singer?

I didn’t think of building a character until the EP was done really, but then I realized I wanted to make sure that there’s a difference between “Dania Macias” who people mostly know for my modeling, my aesthetics and style, and “DANIA” – I wanted to make sure that this is an introduction to the world, to me as an artist. 

 

Related to that, how do you feel about building a visual identity for your music?

I like timeless stuff and believe that less is more, so I don’t feel like I need to be on top of the latest trends or stress myself to create a character that’s more abstract than to who I am and what I like to wear already. Right now I’m really focused on exploring what comes out of me as in words and sounds. 

 

Quick questions, short answers:

Give us a visual collage to describe your EP, ONE OF ONE.

Water in the form of shiny seas and salty tears, skin, shame and fearless confrontation. A beat that slaps, furious dancing and finger snapping. New York yelling, Havana chanting. Royal blue.

 

What made you, and how long did it take you to first hop on the microphone?

It took 23 years until the summer of 2020, which we all know was crazy. I had taken a friend of mine to Noah’s house (Noah - who is responsible for the production side of my entire EP and is an incredible musician) and then kind of went about my life until my friend called me to ask if I could come round and listen to what they had created. He would never ask me for any favors, so I couldn’t really say no. I loved everything about the music and felt connected to it instantly, so it didn’t take long for them to be like “we either dedicate it to you or you hop on the mic right now” – I obviously went for the mic, found myself in a band with the two for a while, and here I am now.

 

As a model, you are always traveling and on the go. As a person, somewhat of a nomad. Do you have something, a thing or a routine, that makes you feel at home wherever you go?

I’m in touch with the people that I love all the time and would call them from my hotel or wherever I’m staying. But also one thing that keeps me grounded is definitely my head. My thoughts and ideas are the only thing nobody can take away from me, and I think that’s powerful.

 

What’s something about your style that makes you feel confident, fierce? To get into character. 

I think style doesn’t necessarily come from specific clothes or make up – it’s how you move and talk, so I like to keep myself in check as much as I can and let my energy speak for itself… But also my tabi boots have never failed me. 

 

What’s coming in the near future?

Whatever comes will come! I don’t wanna be out here promising stuff. Especially with music - today you feel certain about putting out a song or a video and tomorrow it might feel like the worst idea you’ve ever had, so I’m keeping it cool. There can't be any pressure in art, it’s gotta feel right.

If you could travel back in time, whose concert would you not wanna miss out on? 

I want to say Marvin Gaye, but really if I had the chance to see MJ perform live there would be absolutely no way I’d be missing out on that.

Do you feel you have a good idea of who you are at this point in your modeling and singing career?

Who I am has never been the question. The “what” I’m doing feels absolutely crazy sometimes, because ironically I think I have an idea of what I want, but there’s never a guarantee things will turn out that way. One thing I know for sure is that I’m invested and putting my soul into it, so I’m just gonna keep going and find out what that end looks like. 

 

Interviewer: SVD

Artist: Dania Macias