Dasha

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Dasha.

Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Dasha began performing in coffee shops and wineries at age ten and released her first original song at thirteen. After years of grinding as an independent artist — and dropping out of Belmont University in Nashville during the pandemic to chase music full-time — her 2023 single "Austin (Boots Stop Workin')" became a viral, line-dancing phenomenon. It climbed to No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed her a deal with Warner Records within months. Since then, she's made her Grand Ole Opry debut, joined the Spotify Billions Club, and toured alongside artists like Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan.

With her new single "82 Chevy" out now and a flagship new album on the way — Dasha sits down with Joel to talk about becoming an overnight sensation, why she's grateful her early songs never took off, and the fear that still keeps her up at night even as everything appears to be going right.

(0:00) – Always Believed, Never Doubted
(1:13) – Success Changed Everything Without Warning
(3:01) – Where California Gets Country
(7:38) – Keeping the Fire From Day One
(8:15) – Writing Songs Since Age Eight
(9:18) – Why Failing Early Prepares You
(21:37) – From Zero to 55x Platinum
(22:40) – Fear That Won't Let Go
(27:52) – The Baby Blue Chevy Story
(38:25) – North Star: Taylor Swift
(40:10) – Two Names, Two Versions of Dasha

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