Montreal alt-pop artist dee holt opens up about her empowering single “Dishes,” creative inspiration, and musical ambitions in this 2023 interview.
Montreal-based alt-pop singer-songwriter dee holt shared her single “Dishes” in March 2023, ahead of her EP I’ll Be There, which was released on April 28 via Nettwerk.
Blending playful guitar melodies with a deeper emotional message, “Dishes” explores the challenges of a one-sided relationship and the importance of recognizing your own worth. The song finds strength in walking away from unhealthy situations and choosing yourself.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, dee explained:
“I wrote this song about a one-sided relationship… It’s about someone who gives it their all, while the other sits and watches. It speaks about being taken for granted and walked all over. However, as the song goes on, this person realizes their worth and gets out of this draining relationship and comes to the conclusion that they’re so much better off without it. There are only so many chances you can give to someone, and this song is about standing your ground when it becomes too much.”
At the time, dee was also preparing for a Toronto performance at the Drake Underground on April 24, 2023.
Listen to dee holt’s “Dishes”
In Conversation With dee holt
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! My name is dee holt. My real name is Daphne Holt, and I am 19 years old. Creating is part of my everyday life. Whether it be in the studio, writing lyrics at home, painting at school or sketching in my room. I can’t wait to keep sharing my art with the world.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release “Dishes.”
I wrote this song about a one-sided relationship… It’s about someone who gives it their all, while the other sits and watches. It speaks about being taken for granted and walked all over. However, as the song goes on, this person realizes their worth and gets out of this draining relationship and comes to the conclusion that they’re so much better off without it. There are only so many chances you can give to someone, and this song is about standing your ground when it becomes too much. What I love most about it is that it’s more serious than it would seem. It sounds so upbeat and playful, when really there is an underlying message that runs so much deeper.
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
From real life, feelings or situations. Sometimes there are my own situations, but they’re also sometimes fictional. I find it interesting to come up with a story in my head and write about it. It’s a way of storytelling… like putting on a persona. I never really know what I want to write about when I walk into the studio… I sit down, and my producer asks me what’s new, how’s life and then it kind of goes from there. A certain word will click, he’ll create a beat and a melody, and I’ll get to writing. It’s a very fun and laid-back process… nothing about it is rushed or planned.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
Yes!! I will be playing at School Night Toronto at the Drake Underground at the end of April, which is really really exciting. It’ll be my second show ever!
What’s your goal for 2023?
To really push myself in my art. I want to try new things, do some writing camps. I’d love to travel and work with other people. Most of all, I want to start playing live.
