www.deyadova.com 

www.myspace.com/deyadova

Article by Lucy Kippist
Image courtesy of Hamilton Barnett

Deya Dova’s world embodies connectivity. Constantly creating, balancing and moving; her unique sound is a fusion of art, mystery, landscape and spirituality. Resplendent, she stands at the very centre of it all; a warm, gentle and inspired soul, sharing her own, very human, search for the authentic self.

Loop: Tell me about your past. When did you start?

DD: I started making music when I was 21. I had always been a great appreciator of music, but had never thought that I could possibly make it myself.  I was given an old guitar, and would string together very basic chords I stumbled upon and called them "shapes". I had absolutely no idea what I was doing except that I felt ecstatic to be producing sound! At the time I was studying Visual Arts and the freedom of creating without the whole process of conceptualising totally refreshed and impassioned me. 

Loop: You have described your childhood as having a big influence on the development of your sound. Can you tell me a little bit about it?

DD: I grew up in Ceduna, a small town on the edge of the Nullarbor desert in South Australia. My playground was its expansive, wild landscapes. I felt very connected to the land and the aboriginal people. I think I always felt more black than white. My childhood out there did inspire my sound but more generally the way I processed things as an artist. Art (music) + Life are ceremony for me. It's not just about "the show"; it is about Culture, the culture that arises from our connection to the great mystery, ourselves + the landscape. 

Loop: What would say drew you towards the life you have now?

DD: Ahhh the freedom to express from within, from the spirit rather than the intellect, and the aspiration to be my true + authentic, whole uncensored self!

Loop: Do you have a favourite place to compose? 

DD: Oh yes.... in stillness. I call it my "bubble". I was born in my waters, with my embryonic sac intact and metaphorically that is where I like to retreat to write.  I find it easiest to do this in my home studio, I can get quite in myself, forget about the world of things and play. If it weren’t for my family I would probably never come out! And the other place of course is in nature, spectacular nature.... with the sun! For a period of time in 2001 my "studio" was on a long stretch of white, secluded beach. Every day I would pack lunch, my birthday suit, grab my guitars and head off to my "office" to write. 

Loop: Can you explain the looping techniques you use; how did you find this unique way to capture your sound?

DD: I use an Ecoplex looping machine. It’s a genius recording devise, originally designed for guitarists that enable me to record my voice and play it as a loop. It became the predominant tool for writing my latest album, The Jasmini garden. It’s also fantastic for improvising.

My technique is simple; start singing a random phrase or rhythm on the fly, record and play it so it begins to loop. Then I record other layers of sounds and vocals on top of that original grab, all of which begin to play as it loops too. I can keep recording and looping until I have a whole tribe singing with me … Deya heaven!

On my first album So Bravely Human I had been recording my voice live in the desert then doing overdubs back in the studio. I was looking for a way to perform the songs onstage and came across the Ecoplex in 2000. Not surprisingly, there has been an explosion of people using this technology onstage in the last couple of years. They are so much fun and an awesome instrument in themselves.

Loop: Many reviewers and fans have described having a spiritual connection to your music - how would you describe your sense of spirituality?

DD: Spirituality for me is being connected to and expressing my true self; the part of self that knows there is more to it all, than this. I feel this connection when I sing, when I walk amidst nature, when I see or create beauty or, when I feel gratitude to and humbled by the great life force of many names.

For me spirituality is the practise of surrender, getting out of the way, out of my head, my heart and desires so that I may be moved by something much greater from within. This was my main intension when I was creating THE JASMANI GARDEN. To get quiet, move aside, open up and sing whatever arose from this place.

My experience is that in doing this, we discover a greater part of ourselves; the part that is connected to everything; the ancient and all knowing part of ourselves, that remembers our true purpose and birthright as human beings.

Loop: Was this spiritual connection part of what you were seeking when you set out as a musician?

DD: mmm, yes... in retrospect, but I was also just following something that gave me so much joy.  And then at some point I realized that through this spiritual connection I had discovered I was being taught how to sing.

Loop: Your songs have enchanting names that really capture the imagination. Do you have a particular process that helps you create them?

DD: Generally they come with their name pre-packaged -each song like a child.  I listen to the feeling of the song, its nature. They name themselves really; I just need to remember to always listen. 

Loop: I've read that you have three children; would you say that family life and/or your experiences of motherhood have influenced you creatively?

DD: Oh yes, incredibly so, but not so much in a literal sense. They have each opened me to such a greater experience of myself, and that in itself has inspired me to sing. They inspire me to be more fully myself and follow my dreams regardless. Ultimately though, my family helps me keep my feet on the ground.

End