Introducing: Daughter Of Dawn

A few weeks ago, we wrote about the evocatively titled Juniper Boughs Collide Upon My Shores by Minneapolis-based Daughter Of Dawn. The solo project of trans musician and activist Emma Goldman Grey recently released the dark, atmospheric gem that is their Crushed Into Dust By The Weight Of The World LP , so we decided to find out more about the artist and their music.

First up, tell us a bit about Daughter Of Dawn?

I’ve been dreaming of doing a solo record since I started playing music as a teenager, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I found myself with much more time on my hands. The time seemed just right to really dive in and do it. Electronic music has been a major obsession of mine over the last few years, and I have always been fascinated by the ability of electronic musicians to create complete compositions without the need for other people to be involved.

So, I taught myself how to make electronic music throughout this project, and it’s really the first music I have created that incorporates it on this level. I had to teach myself as I wrote and created this project, and I have learned so much throughout the process. I wanted to create something that was equally as beautiful as it was haunting. That was the main goal.

I love dark music, but I also appreciate it when it isn’t focusing solely on its own darkness. Injecting beauty into this type of music is, in my opinion, a powerful and cathartic process of creating – one that I hold sacred.

What sparks you off creatively?

Music and art. There is so much amazing art out there. There are so many amazing artists across so many mediums. I truly appreciate when I can see that someone put their whole being into creating something – when it transcends its medium and becomes something else completely. Art is a great equalizer and a great unifier. It brings us together and lays our humanity bare for the world to see.

Who or what has had the most influence on your sound?

I definitely was channeling artists Chelse Wolfe, Lingua Ignota, and Emma Ruth Rundle with this project, but I was also inspired by a lot of queer experimental electronic artists like Sophie (RIP), Shygirl, and Eartheater. I wanted to create something that melded these two genres together in a seamless way.

I wanted to incorporate heavy dark textures on top of electronic glitchiness, and I didn’t want it to sound forced. I believe I was successful in this endeavour. It was a challenge, but it almost started writing itself at one point. I am always trying to create art that speaks deeply to people, art that moves people and that is filled with real human emotion. Artists that accomplish this are my heroes.

What has been your biggest challenge as a musician so far?

Exposure is really difficult for trans folks. I don’t look the part of what people would expect. My voice also doesn’t fit a singular gender either as I use a lot of vocal manipulation on it. Altogether the whole project is quite alien in its overall scope, but I suppose I am also quite alien as well.

The music business is such a fickle beast, and it often requires you to check a lot of predetermined boxes. I don’t fit into many of those boxes and therefore lie somewhere outside of any kind of pop spectrum both musically and visually. I don’t think this is a bad thing, but exposure in the music industry for trans folks tends to fall in step with the rest of the world in regards to what it is and isn’t deemed marketable. I know that there are artists out there that are pushing hard at these boundaries, but they are still few and far between. I am hoping to be part of the tide that shapes it all into a new shore.

What has been the nicest thing ever written about you?

Huh. I’m not sure! I will say that since the release of this record, I have received a lot of really lovely feedback from people all over the world. It has been really amazing and affirming. When you put your all into creating something that doesn’t easily fit into a discernible category, you have to wonder if it will resonate with other people. I’m just pleased that people seem to connect with it. I didn’t know if they would. That has been relieving and empowering to know that it resonates. Not that I necessarily need people’s approval to create art that I want to make, but it certainly is an amazing experience to have so many people go out of their way to let me know that they truly appreciate this record and that it speaks to them on a deep level.

What has been the best and worst gig you’ve ever played over your time in music?

I got to tour Europe with one of my older bands (Grey has been a member of Malachi, Contentious, and Hive). It was probably one of the best times that I have ever had and also included some of the best and worst gigs I have ever played. It is wild to be in some small town in France, be a nobody band from the Midwest, and have people singing along to lyrics you wrote. It’s an amazing feeling to just see people go off and be like “Wow, I created something that made someone else feel that!”. I think the worst gigs I have ever played have been ones where the cops showed up, because, you know, fuck the cops.

What was the last piece of music you listened to?

I have been listening to a LOT of different types of music lately, but the last thing in my listening history is Sevdaliza’s Shebrang record, which is weird, amazing, and excellent.

If you could perform live with anyone, who would it be and why?

Obviously, I would love to tour with Chelsea Wolfe, but would also really love to work with Forest Sword, Lingua Ignota, or Godspeed You! Black Emperor.

What other bands or musicians do we need to be checking out right now?

For heavy and heady stuff – Forest Swords, Lingua Ignota, Uboa, Liturgy, Pharmakon, Pastel Ghost, Holly Herndon, Lyra Prmuk, Gazelle Twin.

Weird art-pop – Sevdaliza, Yaeji, Yves Tumor, Rituals of Mine, Flume, Shygirl, Kilo Kish.
Hip-hop and R&B – Moodie Black, Dua Saleh, Tanerelle, 070 Shake, Nick Hakim, Labrinth, JPEGMAFIA, Jorja Smith.

Give us a few hints on what’s in store next for Daughter Of Dawn…

I am in the process of working on a few cover singles that I am going to release within the next several months. I also have the goal to make a video for every song on the album, but next up will be a video for Scrutiny Under the Blinding Light.

I am also working hard on another project with my partner called GL1TT3RP1SS which should have a record out sometime this year. It has an Art- Pop/R&B vibe, and even though it is very different from Daughter of Dawn, I am extremely excited about it. I’m always trying to stay busy and always looking to collaborate with folks. I am also seeking label support for the record, so if anyone out there is interested in signing me, let me know!

You can catch up with Daughter Of Dawn via their Facebook and Instagram socials. Listening options for Crushed Into Dust By The Weight Of The World include Apple Music, YouTube Music and Spotify. The album is also available to also stream or download the LP on Bandcamp – you can get more details here.