Latest Song Showcases Her Trademark Incorporation of Western Elements to Present the Emotional Tug-of-War Involved in an On-Again-Off-Again Relationship
Written by Matt Corirossi
There is a proverb of unknown origin that states, “If you love something, let it be. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t come back, it was never meant to be.” This perceptive observation advocates for the presence of time as the remedy for providing clarity. In certain circumstances, an individual arrives at a dilemma. They want to remain committed to an idea, situation, or relationship. However, they become increasingly alerted to the signs that this desire is untenable. Unable to ignore the obvious, some sort of action must be taken. By stepping away and providing space, it forces the other party to react. The response generated will reveal the sturdiness of their dedication and answer any lingering doubts. If the acknowledgement is productive and fixes the issue, then the journey can continue. However, if the reaction does not materialize or is ineffective, then the concern of the other party will be validated. Both parties can move on with the knowledge that all reasonable efforts were spent. This plan works throughout a person’s life and varying scenarios.
Dasha, which is the stage name of San Luis Obispo, California-native Anna Dasha Novotny, has built a career on crafting reflective music that prioritizes emotional honesty over appearances. Frequent themes in her music are the allure and freedom of seeking new ground versus the safety and familiarity of staying put and repairing her surroundings. Dasha’s lyrics are not afraid to bail, but they also express an empathetic streak of remaining. When most artists approach similar topics, they tend to place themselves in the most favorable light possible. However, that approach does not mirror real life and she craves being as authentic as possible to her audience. There is not an attempt to water down her prose to prevent a potentially negative perception. Similarly, she believes in not leaving anything unsaid as she tells the complete story from beginning to end. To accomplish this, Dasha created a musical universe where her songs connect to each other. Where one song fails to deliver the whole picture, multiple tunes introduce the element of time. An audience can follow along as the events unfold towards the conclusion. Dasha’s singles “Austin”, “King of California”, and “Didn’t I” are supposed to be listened to sequentially. She explains further to SiriusXM Hits 1 LA hosts Tony Fly and Symon, “First it’s ‘Austin,’ then it’s ‘King of California,’ like, 40 years later … So, those songs connect. And then ‘Didn’t I’ is sort of like part three, the closer of me actually going back and backsliding. ‘Cause at the end of ‘King California,’ I go back, find him at that bar, and I’m like, ‘Wait, hold on.'” Country music listeners can listen to the thrilling conclusion, amongst the backdrop of a Western-inspired banjo melody, as “Didn’t I” and its music video was released on July 12th via Warner Records. Both can be viewed on all major platforms.
“Didn’t I” Cover Art. Photograph Courtesy of Dasha
Dasha grew up with an interest in music and performing. She credits her hometown as sparking her desire to become an artist. Her artistic path began at the age of 5, as she participated in dance shows and musical theater. At the age of 8, she started piano lessons. Learning to play the guitar and developing her songwriting followed. Dasha discovered that she enjoyed writing country music narratives. At the age of 10, Dasha initiated playing at local coffee shops. At the age of 13, her father gave her a professional recording session as a birthday gift. From that session, she recorded a song. This experience convinced Dasha to refine her abilities and dream of attending music school Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dasha’s aspiration came true as she received an early acceptance into Belmont University’s songwriting program. She enjoyed her experience and appreciated the opportunity to have her songs deconstructed and built up with advanced techniques. During college, she took a creative departure and focused on writing in the pop music genre. This led to her songs going viral on TikTok and receiving management representation. When Belmont University was shut down for COVID-19, she decided to not return. Instead, she moved to Los Angeles. Her pop career culminated in the release of her 2023 debut album Dirty Blonde.
On paper, it looked like Dasha was finally stepping into the success that she spent years preparing for. However, she could not shake the feeling that she was destined for another route. She no longer felt an affinity for the pop music she was making. She longed to reconnect with her country background and make music that spoke to her. Dasha explained this awakening to publication Country Swag as, “I had this epiphany and was like ‘I have to go back to my roots and start making country music again’, so in the last nine months to a year, I’ve really dove into that. I have never had such an amazing time making music before.”
To solidify her commitment to country music, she left Los Angels and headed to Nashville. Her first country release was the single “Even Cowboys Cry”. The track was the precursor to her breakthrough single “Austin”. Written by Adam Wendler, Dasha, Cheyenne Rose Arnspiger, and Kenneth Travis Heidelman and produced by Heidelman, “Austin” tells the story of an ex-boyfriend who promises his significant other the world and then abandons her. The lyrics center on the left behind wondering what prompted the exit. “Austin” caught the attention of Dasha’s current manager Alex Lunt from Type A Management. Lunt wanted to work with a country artist, and she was the perfect fit. He added independent record label Version III and public relations company King Publicity to her team.
“Austin” distinguishes itself from other recent songs through its emphasis on a Western-style production. Accentuating the single’s introspective lyrics is a pronounced banjo-dominated melody. When it was time to accompany visuals, Dasha wanted to continue the aesthetic. She created a line dance to “Austin” and filmed herself performing it on a ranch. This video connected immediately and amassed over 68 million views on TikTok. Dasha described this creative choice to publication Billboard as, “I remember feeling really nervous that it would be cringey. I think the reason it worked so well is because it came from such a fun place and I feel like there’s this gap in community on TikTok right now, so people are down to connect any way they can. When you go to the club and you know the dance, you can participate in the community.”
“Austin” has had a stratospheric response. Among the highlights are over 393 million streams of Spotify, reaching Number 2 and Number 19 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Hot 100 chart, being sent to country radio, and its inclusion on her 2024 released album What Happens Now? The song led to Dasha adding to her team as she signed a record deal with Warner Records and booking contract with WME (William Morris Endeavor).
“Austin” leads into the second and third single in the musical universe, “King of California” and “Didn’t I”. “King of California”, written by Dasha, James Bairian, and Louis Castle and produced by The Gifted, references leaving the relationship mentioned in “Austin” but despite moving to California, the person cannot stop thinking of the ex-boyfriend. Unable to shake the feeling, the individual returns to Austin, Texas for potentially one last interaction. What happens next is answered in “Didn’t I”.
“Didn’t I” written by Dasha, Ben Johnson, and Emily Weisband and produced by Johnson, addresses the cliffhanger and provides insight into returning to the scene of a heartbreak. The poignant lyrics are keenly aware that the person is falling for the same bad influence, despite swearing that the relationship is over. The conflict of understanding the absurdity of the romance and an inexplicable magnetic attraction unfolds. Dasha’s catchy vocals and a traditional sing-along melody encourages audience engagement as they are left with enough to understand the severity of the situation and arrive at their own conclusion on whether the spark will reignite a second chance on love. Before its official release, she previewed “Didn’t I” at the Platform Stage at Nissan Stadium during the 2024 CMA Fest to a rousing response.
To further portray the song’s tension-filled lyrics, Dasha released the music video for “Didn’t I”. Directed by Hunter Moreno, the cinematography follows Dasha on a date with likely Mr. Wrong as she contemplates her continued presence. Not content with her words depicting this strife-ridden interplay, the chorus breaks out into a choreographed Western-inspired dance that spotlights the hot-and-cold characteristics of this union. A lipstick-stained bathroom mirror breaks the fourth wall and represents the audience’s response to the narrative. The video can be found below:
Those looking to stay updated on Dasha’s music can follow her online at itsdashabitch.com.
Dasha has received incredible momentum within her career by crafting lyrics that understand the redemptive qualities of time and the appealing characteristics of remaining brutally truthful. By selecting authenticity over illusion, her music has crossed genres, become a social media phenomenon, and expanded her audience. This status is expected to continue after the release of “Didn’t I” and its music video.