Debbii Dawson, the rising star whose artistry defies conventional boundaries, has just unveiled her captivating EP, How to Be Human. Debbii has quickly made her mark, sharing the stage with Orville Peck and gearing up to support Suki Waterhouse at her upcoming Denver show. Known for her unassuming demeanor and ethereal voice, Debbii’s exceptional talent is rooted in a rich family musical legacy that stretches from a self-taught organist in India to a globe-trotting performer. With a unique blend of pop, folk, and country influences, her music crafts a whimsical yet profound sonic landscape that echoes the timelessness of past icons while forging a path all her own.
Today, we have the pleasure of catching up with Debbii Dawson about her latest EP, How to Be Human. We’ll talk about the inspiration behind her new EP, including the influence of Emily Dickinson, and share her thoughts on the emotional journey of her latest work.
Read the full interview below:
What inspired the themes and stories in your new EP How to Be Human?
This EP is a continuation of the last. Both were written from the perspective of a recluse, comfortable with the familiar security of seclusion but struggling with what it really means to be a human. It was inspired by my own journey and I took some inspiration from the life and death of American poet, Emily Dickinson, as well.
Can you tell us more about how Emily Dickinson’s life and work influenced your songwriting for this EP?
She was a poet who had so much to say and had such a beautiful, interesting way of looking at the world, but never left home, and her work ended up being published posthumously. I remember reading a book of her poetry and related to her story in that we both wrote in secret, hiding all our work, and never left home. I felt like I was seeing a glimpse into my future, which terrified me – but I realised that I could change the ending.
Each track on How to Be Human seems to explore different aspects of human experience. Can you walk us through the emotional journey of the EP from start to finish?
The EP starts off confident, almost defiant, with “Solitude.” I enjoy being alone because it seems better than what the world has to offer – but as the project continues the confidence diminishes in each song. “Happy World” is fun because of the dramatic irony, the listeners are seeing before I do that this world I’ve built up for myself isn’t all I thought it was. In “Turn The Tv On,” I’m officially uncomfortable…I know something isn’t right, but still try to cover my ears to it all. ‘How To Be Human’ sees me having the desire to change but dealing with the fear that I might be too far gone. And “Try” addresses that fear. You’ll never know the outcome if you never try.
You’ve described How to Be Human as a continuation of your previous EP Learning. How do the themes and narratives of these two EPs connect and evolve?
The perspective from which both EPs were written are the same but I think fear was a common theme in the first project which aligns with my personal journey. The second EP explores isolation. Both projects are me asking questions and trying to understand myself and the world around me. It’s also been cool to see the sound changing and see my personal growth reflected.
Your music blends guitar-driven, 70s-infused pop-folk with contemporary elements. Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
I grew up listening to a lot of classical music, hymns, and artists like Abba, Queen, the Bee Gees, ELO…I’m such a sucker for a good melody and love artists that do the unexpected and somehow make it make sense. It’s definitely shaped my sound and approach to making music. I like pushing musical boundaries or ignoring them completely, and I find myself chasing a spiritual experience in the songs I make.
With your upcoming performances at the Hinterland Music Festival and other venues, what are you most excited about showcasing to your fans?
I’m so new to all of this, I’m just excited for us to get to know each other. I enjoy interacting and connecting with audiences at live shows. I think it probably adds another layer to the world I’ve invited them into, beyond what’s present by just listening to my songs. It’s also really cool for me to put faces to people I’ve gotten to know through the internet.
How are you preparing for these live shows, and what elements are you incorporating to make them unique and memorable?
I’ve been rehearsing. I took a little time off so I had to make sure I rememorized all of my lyrics. I’ve been doing these shows solo so nothing groundbreaking there but I think about something Maya Angelou once said, “people will forget what you said…but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I’ll just try to be myself and have fun and hopefully express and communicate some feelings to the audience that we can experience together.
What song from How to Be Human are you most looking forward to performing live, and why?
Solitude was tricky to learn to play and sing at the same time on guitar, for me anyway…so performing that live will feel rewarding if I don’t fumble it.
What do you want people to remember your music for?
I want people to remember my music for the way it made them feel. The artists I love all made songs that made me feel alive or let me know that I wasn’t alone in whatever I was experiencing at the time…I would be so honored if my music was able to do the same for others.
