After capturing national attention on the hit music competition show, The Voice of Romania, in 2018, Daria Mirea has been building up her music repertoire. Currently based in the UK, she is currently channeling her creative energies into even more vulnerable, delicate, and honest compositions, with her second single, 'Before It Gets Dark'.
We sat down with Daria Mirea to discuss her music and much more. Here is what she had to say:
Hey Daria Mirea, welcome to FLEX! How are you?
Thank you for having me! I’m all good, excited to have released my second single “Before It Gets Dark” on 26th April, and grateful for all the love it received!
Congratulations on your brand-new single 'Before It Gets Dark' – what inspired this particular song?
Thank you! I wrote this song on a chilly autumn evening, as I was thinking back to the recently gone summer. And from the intimacy of those warm summer evenings to an ultimately withered September, ‘Before It Gets Dark’ details the intricate journey of coming to terms with heartbreak, encapsulating feelings of hopefulness, longing and despair, all the way to acceptance. It evokes the universal truth that humans chase fleeting dreams, even though these can leave us in the dark if they don’t reach fulfilment. This song was my companion in my own journey of healing and growth, and I can only hope it will do the same for anyone in need.
And do you have to be in a certain mood to write?
One thing that I stand for both as an artist, and in my personal life, is encouraging people to be more in touch with their emotions. Facing feelings allows one to process those emotions, and, ultimately, heal. Song-writing is my way of processing thoughts, reactions, impressions and it is a very fluid process. I never plan when I write, and I don’t have to be in a certain mood to write, it’s whenever someone or something captures my attention and I discover that I have an opinion about it.
How was the recording and writing process?
As I mentioned before, the majority of ‘Before It Gets Dark’ was composed on a chilly September evening, during a time when I had just taken up guitar and was keen to use the instrument to aid me in my song-writing. I remember feeling very disheartened that I’d have to wait almost another year for summer to come back, so I captured all that emotion in this track. At the time, I was attending London Music School, where, in a very supportive group of people I’m so grateful to have met, I shared this tune. They all loved it and encouraged me to get it properly recorded. I then worked with two amazing producers, one from Romania, Andrei Horjea, and one from London, Jules Konieczny, to create a track with an organic feel and production that matched my vision for the song: to support individuals on their journeys of growth and healing.
For viewers who don't know Daria Mirea how would you describe your sound?
I think powerful yet delicate is a contrast that describes my sound best, my music being a combination of pop, soul and folk elements. Performing vocals gently but with extreme emotion, featuring dreamy guitars, soulful piano and adding layers of harmonies to enhance the message of my songs underpins my artistic vision: to create a tranquil and reflective space for listeners, and encourage them to ponder over their own feelings and vulnerabilities, in order to heal (if they ever feel the need for it).
And what are some of those activities that you engage yourself in when you aren't writing or recording in the studio?
I love staying active, practising my guitar and discovering all the coffee shops Cambridge has to offer. I also love travelling when I have the time and checking out places in the countryside – nature recharges my batteries every time and I love finding new spots where I can just relax and take in the surroundings. It’s like life pauses for a second.