I caught up with Dubai based songstress DIYÂ to chat about the stylish new EP ‘Speak Up’, dream collaborations and her story so far.

Introduce yourself and your hidden talents

I’m a Ukrainian singer-songwriter based in Dubai.Music has been my passion since my childhood. I started piano&vocal lessons at the age of 4.I graduated from Kyiv Academy of Circus and Variety Arts and went to China doing some performances. After, I was offered a job in Dubai and that’s how I happened to live here now.I have just launched my own music career as a solo artist and I writemy own songs. If we talk about my hidden talents, I can say that I’m really a good listener. So I could be quite a good psychologist.

What’s your writing process like? Do you write the music or lyrics first?

It’s like I’m coming to my studio, taking my piano and start working. I usually play some random chords and record all the process with a recorder. Then, I have a lot of completely different drafts which I listen to and decide which ones I like. But it’s not like a one-day process. Sometimes I don’t listen to them in a month and only then decide whether I keep working on them. First I write music and only after thinking and working on the music, the words of a new song come on my mind.

Do you prefer performing live or recording, and why?

I’ve always loved to perform live. It gives me a thrill, real emotions and energy exchange with the audience. 

If you could collaborate with anyone dead or live, who would it be?

Kygo. He found his own unique music style. He is the one, who made tropical-house a thing. And his music is just filled with positivity, energy and aliveness.

Tell MoggBlog viewers about your latest release! What’s the inspiration behind that?

My new EP is called “Speak up”. It has 4 songs: “Speak up”, “Ocean”, “Tenderness” and “Follow”. The message of the EP is – Don’t be silent. Express your feelings, don’t hide. There are always people around you who care. A lot. They are ready to listen and help.

You can find DIYÂ on Facebook and Instagram.

Make sure to follow MoggBlog on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Spotify!