If you’re looking for sugarcoated pop, look elsewhere. Daphne Blue isn’t here to soften the blow, she’s here to amplify it. The Texas-born artist, producer, and self-confessed sonic firestarter returns with 'See-Through', her latest single and arguably her most unflinching yet. Blending neon-lit synths, biting lyrics, and razor-edged hooks, Daphne delivers a scorched-earth sendoff to toxic ties; no apologies, no regrets, no looking back.
Written, recorded, and mixed entirely on her own terms (with vocals tracked in her apartment closet), 'See-Through' is both a personal milestone and a creative flex. It’s a breakup track built on high-voltage liberation, a dancefloor-ready middle finger to fake friends and messy endings.
With previous singles like 'Instant Regret' and 'GET BENT!' already proving she has no interest in playing it safe, Daphne Blue continues to evolve into a fierce and fearless voice in alternative electronic pop. So we sat down with her to discuss her origins and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I remember I asked for a drum set for my 7th birthday, and they got me this tiny little instead. I was a bit disappointed, but I also think part of me already knew the drum dream wasn’t gonna happen. So, I have this tiny keyboard, and I start playing it everywhere I go. I wasn’t particularly good at it. I wouldn’t even say I learned much from having it. Actually, I definitely didn’t. But I really believe it made me fall in love with music and with writing. I made all sorts of bad songs on that thing and recorded them on my laptop webcam. I don’t know where that laptop is now, and the keyboard keys broke a little by the end. I never tried to fix them. But, I hope I can get it to work again in a song one of these days.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I honestly didn’t start using Spotify until a few years ago. Before that, most of my music came from YouTube and whatever friends or family recommended to me. From like age 9 to age 13 or 14, I spent hours listening to lyric videos of old Radiohead, Green Day, Elliott Smith, and maybe a few Iron & Wine songs, long before I really even knew who any of those artists were. Those were the main ones. There was also a fair bit of Bob Dylan, mostly thanks to one of my friends. I was drawn to soundtracks and film scores too. A lot of Danny Elfman… So much Danny Elfman. Somewhere along the way, I discovered artists like Pastel Ghost and Aphex Twin, and I think that blend of melancholy and texture from all those sounds has really stayed with me.
What is the first album you remember owning?
Technically, it was Bringing It All Back Home by Bob Dylan. I was helping a friend with her garage sale back in middle school, and she told me I could keep a few things. Among them was that record, a little worn CD. My favourite track, without question, is It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue. I just really like how final the track sounded, it was more than just a simple goodbye to a person. Like he’s letting go of a whole version of himself.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Probably “I Live My Broken Dreams” by Daniel Johnston. The line “I had a flat tire down memory lane” has always stuck in my mind as really special. His writing had a very whimsical quality to it that I really don’t hear anywhere else. It’s this difficult in-between of humour and heartbreak. I honestly don’t know if you could ever really replicate it, but it’s a quality of his that I really look up to.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
If I’m stuck while writing, I’ll usually take a small walk through nature, either around my neighbourhood or through a nearby park. I just love seeing the animals, the flowers, and, in the winter, all the holiday lights. It’s a simple thing, but it always helps give me a nice peaceful reset that I need sometimes.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been getting into Portishead recently. Mainly listening through their Dummy and Third albums. Gesaffelstein, specifically his Aleph album. His sound really inspires me. It’s so dark, and I guess I’d also call it deliberate? I’m always listening to Slowdive. Some Pinegrove nowadays, going through their Everything So Far album. Something about Pinegrove is so familiar, and genuine, and they’ve got these super warm, introspective lyrics.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Oh gosh, I really had to think about this one, it's tough, but I’d probably say Jane Remover. The way they mix all these wild electronic textures with such emotional, human songwriting just blows me away. There’s this perfect balance of chaos and honesty in their sound that I really connect with.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The very nice people I’ve met along the way.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The sometimes not so very nice people I’ve met along the way.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I’ve kind of learned this over time, but I think care is the most important part of art. You can sort of simulate it sometimes, but real care always shows, and so does the lack of it. When someone creates with genuine intention, you can feel it, no matter what the work is. Care is what gives art its weight, its honesty. Care is probably the most valuable thing you could ask for, really.
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Daphne Blue's new single 'See-Through' is out now. Check it out in the player below.