PREMIERE: Dia Day - Letters to L (Album)

South London artist Dia Day drops deeply personal debut album “Letters to L”.

Croydon born artist Dia Day has announced her debut album, Letters to L, arriving on 17 July. Having already built a reputation as a backing vocalist for the likes of RAYE, Ed Sheeran and Sasha Keable, Dia now steps firmly into the spotlight with her most personal project to date.

Across nine tracks, Letters to L traces the rise and fall of a relationship, unfolding like a diary through moments of intimacy, conflict, heartbreak and, ultimately, healing. Blending storytelling rap with neo-soul, atmospheric production and subtle classical influences, the album showcases the cross genre sound Dia has become known for drawing on South London's rap scene alongside jazz, R&B and influences from her Polish heritage.

Speaking about the project, Dia says: "This album was never supposed to even be an album. I wrote it to shift feelings from my chest onto paper. I want it to feel real, like reading somebody's private thoughts from start to finish. Because that's exactly what it is."

Dia Day sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

I think I really fell in love with music when I realised it gave me somewhere to put emotions I didn’t know how to explain. I started writing songs as a teenager and quickly realised that the more honest I was, the more I understood myself and the world around me. And then I found that other people connected with what I was saying, and it had the power to make them feel understood too. Since then, music has become the way I process my life, and the way I document it.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I’m inspired by artists who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. BERWYN is a huge one for me, not just musically but because of how he’s navigates the industry and stays true to himself. WHO AM I is a no-skip album for me, I have it on vinyl and I listen to it all the time. Jah Digga is another one, I love his song Grandma’s House, I’m in awe of the emotion he puts into his music and how he uses language to paint a picture.

I’m a big fan of Knucks, his storytelling is next level and I love everything he’s worked on with Venna too, his production is unreal. I also love Lola Young, especially her album This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway. We both went to the BRIT School, she’s a couple of years older than me and I’ve always looked up to her, she’s been a big influence since I was in my teens.

My favourite artist when I was growing up was Declan McKenna. If I ever got to work with him I think I’d freak out. I’ve also always really wanted to work with Montell Fish, he reached out one time years ago but it never came to fruition.

The vocalists that I’m most influenced by are Yebba, Erykah Badu, Avery Wilson and Nai Palm. As far as the UK goes, James Vickery and Aftonaut Zu are my favourites and I’d absolutely love to work with them.

I’d also love to create with artists I’ve known for a long time, like namesbliss, Melvillous, Ace Clvrk and Akin Soul.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

My debut project Letters to L is finally out, and it’s a project I’ve been trying to put into the world for years. It’s about what happens when instead of putting faith in God, I put faith in a person. Each song is a letter to someone called L. It’s a vulnerable look into my experience of a relationship from beginning to end, moving from hope and desire to friction, distance and disillusionment, all the way to acceptance. I started writing some of these songs when I was 18, and I’m 24 now, so releasing it feels really freeing.

Around the album I’m putting together a series of live experiences, from intimate listening parties and acoustic performances to full-band shows where people can experience the project in different ways. Letters to L is a really personal project and for that reason, want as many people as possible to experience it in person.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I like to say I make music for tea drinkers and over-thinkers. It’s neo soul and storytelling rap with jazz influences, but that doesn’t quite encapsulate it. I care more about telling the truth than fitting into one genre, so some songs are almost entirely rap, some are stripped-back acoustic moments, and others are super jazzy and soulful, layered with harmonies and live instrumentation. I don’t try to make my music sound a certain way, whatever pours out of me is what I put out.

5. What’s your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

It’s hard to choose one. Winning Youth Music’s Original Track of the Year for “Green Tea” last year was really meaningful and affirming because it finally felt like I was being recognised my own personal artistry. Doing backing vocals for artists like RAYE and Ed Sheeran as part of Flames Collective for the past few years has also been life changing. But honestly, releasing Letters to L might top all of that. There were so many moments where I genuinely thought this project would never come out, so finally putting out is a huge step.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Don’t have a backup plan because if you do, you’ll end up doing the backup plan. Music is really hard and right now the market is oversaturated, especially with so many content creators trying their hand at making music too.

Invest in yourself. Take lessons, sign up for artist development programs, go to talks and workshops. Humble yourself and hard at it. Meet lots of people. Go to lots of events. Be kind.

Yes, you can go faster alone, but you’ll go much further together. Protect your mental health, have friends outside of music too.

At the start take ALL the opportunities; go to open mics, play the tiny shows, go on the random radio stations, but once you get your name out there there has to be cut off point where you start demanding more, and that includes getting payed to perform.

Learn how the business works. Sign up for PRS and PPL straight away so you’re not missing out on getting paid from streaming and performing. Don’t sign any contracts without a lawyer.

Don’t wait until everything feels perfect. Release the music. Your music will sound like you and that’s what makes it special, don’t iron your essence, personality or vulnerability out of it.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

I recently discovered Cure for Paranoia when I was SXSW this year and he’s everything I love about music and art wrapped up in one person. You can tell he’s really taken time to refine his craft and I’m really inspired by him.

There are so many incredible underground London artists making music that deserve a much bigger audience too. Shogun Shato, who is the only feature on my project “Letters to L”, is someone more people should know about, as well as rappers like Righteous Reck and Zoka The Author. There’s some crazy vocalists on the our scene too, my favourites being Promise K and Teshay Makeda; they’re the kind of artists you absolutely need to hear live. I’m also a huge fan of Steamdown, especially Afronaut Zu - I think he’s one of the greatest vocalists of this generation. As far as the US underground scene goes, Zenden Lavon has always been a favourite of mine, specifically his album woe, and recently I’ve been bumping Lovestruck by Soulacoasta.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

What Do You Think About the Car? by Declan McKenna was the most influential album for me growing up as a songwriter. I also come back to Innerstanding by Maverick Sabre all the time, Liberated by my friend Joshua Luke Smith is a project I draw a lot of strength from, and Bedroom Lofi by Lord’s Child has been the soundtrack to my life for years. Dinner Party is another favourite of mine, Street Handsome by C3lly Pizzaz is a hidden gem, and when I’m in a singer-songwriter mood I’m always listening to boygenius by boygenius.

9. What do you like to do when you’re not making music?

Honestly… I still somehow end up doing music. I love jams and cyphers and spend a lot of time at events like Five Points and SD Weekly. I used to be a regular at Orii Jam and Tracks on Tap too.

Outside of music, I’m actually quite a homebody. I’m not into clubs or parties, and I don’t drink, so when I’m in London I tend to keep it pretty lowkey.

I’m big on food and love spending time with my people. We’re always going out to eat, cooking dinners together at my place, having movie nights and sleepovers. I try to keep my life pretty light-hearted and childlike. I think there’s something really special about creating community and really doing life together.

That said, I’m probably out of the country as often as I’m at home. I love solo travelling and I have close friends all over the world, so I’m always jumping on a plane. New York, Philly and São Paulo are probably my favourite places to visit, and I spend a lot of time in Poland too, which is where my family is from.

My faith is the most important thing in my life, above music. If I’m not at home, on stage, in the studio or on a plance, there’s a good chance I’m at church, even on a weekday.

10. Name three things you can’t live without when in the studio.

A kettle and a strong herbal tea selection.
A comfy chair (because I record a lot of my music sitting down).
People I’m comfortable being completely honest around.
(Bonus answer) My crocs - not just in the studio, AT ALL TIMES.