After breaking through with her much-loved initial offerings 'Bodysnatcher' and 'Asphalt' earlier this year, Toronto-based artist Dominique Way is now cementing her vibrant legacy to date with her eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Sprig'.
Channelling more of that warm and wistful aesthetic she has been earning a reputation for lately, this new seven-track collection makes for a dazzling introduction to her immersive aesthetic to date. With her rich and sweeping vocals riding across a diverse array of tender swoons throughout, 'Sprig' establishes her as one of the more captivating names rising through the ranks right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I fell in love with was definitely the piano, we always had an old upright piano in our home that I ran to play after a school day.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I definitely listened to a lot of pop, lots of Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne but my parents would play the eagles, James Taylor and Carole King in the house so there was quite the mixture growing up!
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think the first album I owned must have been one of Taylor Swift’s, i think it was the ‘speak now’ album I remember sitting cross legged on the side of my bed crying my little 10 year old tears to ‘dear john’, feeling like I was going through heartbreak for the first time.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
One song I wished I could have written myself would probably be ‘Both Sides Now’ by Joni Mitchell, I just love love Joni so much what a woman.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I definitely like to take musical breaks whilst writing and listen to artists that have been on rotation for me, freshen up my ears as well and listen to other genres so I can step outside of the ‘world’ of the song I am creating. I think it’s good to get a fresh perspective or distract yourself along the way, even step outside of one idea and start another.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Lately I feel like I’ve been listening to lots of Joni but Role Model’s newest album has been such a staple for me, I streamed it all summer but especially in these colder months, ‘Oh Gemini’ is just hitting my heart again.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
If I could open for anyone, I would have to say miss Olivia Dean would be number one, her energy is just something else; she is a breath of fresh air in her music and in her presence, I just love her.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding part about being a musician is one writing from an honest train of thought, but two having the instrumentation hold onto that feeling in just the right way. When those two things communicate with each other in the magical way that they do it just puts you on a high that feels unexplainable.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part for me at least is how the job never feels like it turns off and you really have to check in with yourself constantly. I am so grateful for my peers and collaborators because I did move out by myself to pursue this and it does get isolating at times.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Be specific with your goals, and set the bar high enough where the ground is too.
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Dominique Way's debut EP 'Sprig' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.