Getting To Know: Dolly Doops

1.) "Hot On You" is described as drawing inspiration from a range of powerful female artists, from Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to Lady Gaga and Doja Cat. How do you feel these artists have shaped your musical identity, and in what ways can listeners detect their influence in your latest track?

Firstly all four of those artists have created music that made me forget the world around me. I went to a Lady GaGa concert when I was 12 and it changed my life, I’ve always felt like an outsider and felt  i’ve wanted to express myself in ways that people may think is weird, watching artists like GaGa and Doja create music  on their terms gave me confidence to put exactly what I want into my music. I grew up as a very young child to Britney & Christina, in my opinion they’ve recorded some of the greatest pop songs ever. Hot On You was my opportunity to pay homage to them. You know it isn’t my most in depth song lyrically but it’s a track that speaks to you through the energy and melodies. 

2) You've shared a fascinating glimpse into the creation of "Hot On You," starting with the hook line that came to you one morning and how producer Leventis helped bring the track to life. Could you elaborate on this collaborative process and how you typically go from an initial idea to a fully realized song?

Every song has a unique birth and creation, some take a lot of work to carve but this track was one of those where it was basically written under an hour. I went into the session with that hockline in my pocket, Leventis played me a potential softer R&B style idea he had and i was like “no we need to go hard for this track” I pulled up Dirty by Xtina, I wanted a track with that old school ‘grit’. So he started on the drums and I began writing the chorus then the pre chorus and then ended with the verses. Usually when I have a solid idea of the concept I’m writing about i’ll write the chorus or pre chorus first. I see these as the statements of the songs and then the verses I’m free to go into more depth of the story that’s already been carved out. We got back in for a second session to record the final vocals and finalize the production and the track was done.

3)You've expressed a love for telling stories through your music, aiming to take listeners on a unique narrative journey. Can you discuss the story or theme behind "Hot On You" and how you hope it resonates with your audience?

For me Hot On You wasn’t a confession of love but more about adventure and infatuation at a slightly nauseating pace. About someone who said jump and I said how high, about people warning from the outside and saying it’ll never work and we’d dance in their face high on our obsession with one another. I think so often relationships or situations end and we are left with negative feels, but we shouldn't let that erase those moments when we were happy and filled with passion. I wanted to tell this story that felt good and sexy. Plus then there’s space to tell the story of the fall out in the next song.

4) Your first two singles received commendation from BBC Introducing and online media, with your sound being described as eclectic and uniquely your own. How have these recognitions impacted your career, and how do you aim to continue developing your distinctive style in the electro-pop scene?

Having support from BBC introducing with each single was a huge moment for me. You obviously don’t make music for that outside validation but getting recognition on something you’ve put so much thought, work and time into does feel amazing, and then on top of that it being on something as notorious as the BBC!! 

I aim to keep versatility in my music, taking inspiration from all the genres I love. The next couple singles are more infused with rock influence. I love challenging myself and learning so I defo want to keep trying new thighs with the music I create.

5) As an emerging artist in the electro-pop music scene, what have been some of the most significant challenges you've faced, and conversely, what moments stand out as highlights or turning points in your career so far?

I’m still very much at the beginning of my journey, but from that I would say the biggest challenge was understanding the music I wanted to make and trusting my ears and intuition to create it, not what others are telling me they think I should make. But at the same time that’s also been a huge highlight for me, on a professional and personal level, sometimes I’ve found believing in my ideas hard and beginning the journey of learning to produce to create from scratch was super empowering. 

6) With "Hot On You" marking your third single and your sound continuing to evolve, what are your aspirations for the future? Are there any particular artists you dream of collaborating with, or specific goals you're aiming to achieve in your music career?

I’ve always said performing live is where my heart naturally lies. The stage is my home so I’m looking forward to playing more gigs and getting myself onto festival lineups. My ultimate goal with my music is to connect with listeners all over the world and be able to travel and play live night after night after night. I’ve got a lot of music ready for release that I’m deeply proud of and I’m so excited to get it all out and create more!