DANDAN On the Making Of “Heaven to Your Hands”
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of "Heaven to Your Hands?"
I really wanted to create something with my cello. I've been playing cello since I was 9 years old, and raised by a family of classical musicians, so it's a core part of my identity- but something I've been struggling to incorporate into my music production.
While I was traveling to Japan for work, a new melody popped up in my head; a futuristic, bass-heavy type melody with fairy-like vocals. A song about love, trust, and suspense. I workshopped and wrote the chorus, and left it untouched for a while. 2 months later, I came in and filled in the verses, and workshopped the rest of the instrumentals.
What was your favorite moment in making the music video?
Definitely putting together the outfit and choreography! Visualizing the aesthetic, and going and finding the perfect pieces to build my character was a super exciting process.
We did about 3 rehearsals for the dance, and I cherished being deeply involved in every part of the process.
How does "Heaven to Your Hands" fit into your overall artistic vision and what can listeners expect from you in the future?
It's one of the songs from my upcoming EP, "Games of Fate." Games of Fate is all about our relationship with love, trust, and our identities. It's also inspired by Egyptian and Asian mythology, as well as the "lessons" we can learn from our relationships and personal experiences. I will be dropping 2 additional songs very soon!
I'm excited to do more live performances and create more content in the future. I hope to find my place in the community as someone who inspires and encourages listeners to embrace their own unique identities and stories.
What do you enjoy most about performing live and connecting with your audience?
Definitely the live feedback and connection. I've always been an entertainer. Since I was a kid, I was always planning Halloween parties and creating elaborate videos and concerts for holidays, and my friends' and family's birthday parties.
I took a brief hiatus when I went to college at Stanford and focused on my studies in engineering and sustainability. Now, I'm embracing that part of me again. I'm encouraging my inner child to create colorful and expressive visuals, that can hopefully inspire connection and positive growth in my audience!
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
I'm always challenging myself to learn new skills. I make beats everyday, I practice cello (although I should be more consistent in this), go to dance classes, and push myself to get out of my comfort zone. Being a student and constantly building new proficiences and ideas makes me a more empathetic and inclusive person, so I will always want to keep learning and growing.
