cloud collecting #19: Dottie (from deary)
if you don't know deary, it is about time you did. on belief, growth and trying to find something nice in each day.
I’m thrilled to be chatting with Dottie from the band deary, who have quickly become one of my favorite recent discoveries. Signed to the legendary UK label Sonic Cathedral, deary comprises of London-based musicians Dottie and Ben, creating wistful dream pop. Their music has been described as a 'sonic tidal wave of emotion,' and their latest EP, ‘Aurelia’ features Simon Scott of Slowdive on drums (for three tracks), with Scott also mastering the album. In this brief interview, we’ll explore a bit of Dottie’s journey so far and some of the inspirations that shape the band’s music. I promise once you hear Dottie start singing, you will melt too.
1. Your incredible new EP with deary, ‘Aurelia’, was officially released on November 1st via the UK imprint Sonic Cathedral. I would love to hear what the album creation was like, and how it differs from your past creative projects.
Unlike most of our previous EP, Aurelia was written while Ben and I could be in the same room together. I think this greatly impacted our writing and the overall feel of the EP. It feels complete and represents our growth as a band. It also allowed us to bring the best out of our songwriting. My previous projects involved me writing alone so I became quite used to working with my own ideas. I'm grateful for having Ben near as he always pushes me to find the best in myself and each song.
2. When did you first identify as a creative and who are some of the main people who inspired you along the way?
My favourite class in school was English. I loved writing stories and poems and delving into my imagination but I never really saw this as anything more than just being young and maybe as a bit of an escape. It wasn't until I went to college and had to start thinking about my future, that I could only see myself working in the arts. I studied fine art and textiles at first but then I heard the music coming from the rehearsal rooms and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I changed to music a year later and I'm very thankful I did. I had an amazing tutor called Luke Taylor. My local music scene and even my class was very male dominated and I felt anxious and like an outsider a lot of the time. Luke really had faith in me and never let me give up. He introduced me to some amazing artists (PJ Harvey, Portishead) and pushed me to learn more. He got me my first record deal and is still a very dear friend of mine.
3. How do you cloud collect (connect to childlike wonder) in your creativity?
I think I'm connected to the clouds a lot of the time to be honest. I'm always trying to be grounded and in the moment but my mind wanders often. I've recently started to not fight it as much and just embrace being a bit odd. I guess that is an embrace of childlike wonder? Protesting against the boring day to day and try and find something nice in each day. I have a note on my phone where I list nice things that happen e.g hearing my my mum laugh or having an umbrella when it rained.
Best online place where people can find Dottie (and deary):
Thanks for the tip, will check them out!