Check out our interview with Netherlands based, chart-topping pop-artist, Davina Michelle, who just released her highly anticipated music video for her current hit single “Heartbeat.”
The video, which made its debut as a 48 hour exclusive US Premiere on Music Choice, was shot in Los Angeles and directed by acclaimed music video director/editor Anthony Chirco (Zedd, Redfoo), and lensed by Akis Konstantakopoulos, fresh off the surprise success of Lionsgate’ s $50M grossing “Jesus Revolution,” for which he also was cinematographer. The “Heartbeat” single has not only received a lot of traction across all DSPs since its January 5th release, but also made its way onto the Top 100 Spotify US New Music Friday, a rarity for any international artist not yet touring North America. “Heartbeat” currently boasts placement high in the Top 100 nationally in Italy, with US radio now charting.
Davina Michelle’s breakthrough moment began in 2016, when she posted her now infamous cover of Pink’s “What About Us.” Glamour posted a video review featuring Davina’s cover where Pink is quoted saying, “that’s better than I will ever sound.” The video went viral, and to date has accumulated 20 million views, while Davina’s own YouTube channel skyrocketed to over 1.5M subscribers,2.3M on TikTok and 1.9M monthly Spotify listeners.
Follow Davina @davinamichelleofficial & TikTok @davinamichellemusic
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Hi Davina, please tell us a little about you?
I am Davina and I am a Dutch singer-songwriter. I love to write pop songs about things that bother me or impress me.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I would say I’m very chaotic, energetic and free
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get in the industry?
I started out on YouTube 6 years ago. I used to upload covers of popular songs every week. I did write my own music back then, but I was too scared to actually release it. Up until I uploaded a cover of “What About Us by P!nk” P!nk herself reacted to the video with the question: “Is she like a recording artist that makes records and puts records out?” That changed my whole life. The video went viral and I was invited for to do many interviews, tv-shows and live performances, which I had not done yet. P!nk gave me the courage to start releasing my own records and I am so thankful for that!
How has this changed your life?
It changed everything! I now get to do what I love full time haha! It comes with a very tight schedule though and it’s sometimes hard to not see my family and friends that often.
But they are very understanding and we now just appreciate the moments that we have together more.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Ooff good question. I think that’s a difficult thing to say about your own songs but maybe raw, powerful and edgy?
Do you play any instrument?
I wish! But I am very lucky to have a boyfriend who plays almost every instrument haha.
Tell us about your new single “Heartbeat?”
I wrote “Heartbeat” about living on your own tempo and following your own heart. We often feel pushed and pulled by what other people want and that gives us the feeling like we are not in control of our own lives anymore.
In “Heartbeat” it’s about taking back that control and living your life on your own beat
What is the feeling to be so successful over Europe, and now to be in the Top 100 Spotify in the US? That’s amazing! 🙂
It’s unbelievable! Incredible! AMAZING! I am so thankful! It’s crazy to imagine that there are people all over the world that listen to the songs and feel the stories that I wrote in my tiny city.
What is different from the music style and market in the Netherlands and Europe vs the US?
The biggest difference in songs is definitely the language. In The Netherlands, Dutch-spoken songs are very popular at the moment, so there is a lot of Dutch music released right now. I do have some Dutch songs myself but I prefer writing in English. I think English sounds smoother and more poetic than Dutch, but please don’t tell my fellow Dutchies at home haha
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
For me as a musician, the most rewarding part is getting on stage and having people singing along with the songs that I worked so hard on. Being able to look them in the eyes while I sing the story that I wrote and to find out that I didn’t not only write it for myself is impactful to see.
As a popular artist and influencer you are followed by so many people. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
I realize that because of my big following that I also have some influence and I always try to use that influence for something good. I hope to inspire people into knowing that life isn’t perfect. You don’t have to be super happy every day. You’re not less when you don’t look like a super model. You shouldn’t believe everything you see online and you for sure shouldn’t believe everything you think.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
OH yessss! Definitely ‘Because Of You’ by Kelly Clarkson! And during Christmas time any Mariah Carey song
What’s next for Davina Michelle in 2023?
I’m working on an album! It has been a bit of a slow process because I don’t have that much time to write at the moment but I will hopefully get to release it to the world this year!
Photo Credit: Linde Dorenbos @lindedorenbos
