[gtranslate]
Interviews

Dora Jar is poised to take flight

 

dora jar

Dora Jar is an artist of deep substance, with her unique brand of bedroom pop, grunge, and folk, she is the quintessential free spirit with an old soul. 

Taking creative control to the next level with a fresh single and self-directed video to match, Dora has been busy perfecting the process that allows her to showcase her elastic sound and eye-catching style.

From directing her first music video to uploading little snippets of herself playing music to Instagram, Dora Jar’s journey has led her to what many consider to be ‘living the dream’.

Fresh off opening for Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever tour, Dora Jar has been busy releasing her new single ‘Bumblebee’, the first signing with label heavyweights Island Records, joining the talents of Justin Beiber, J Lo, and Demi Lovato. 

Dora has gone on to make some prolific connections with producers Solomonophonic, Felix Joseph, Ralph Castelli, Vron, and John DeBold – with whom Dora crafted her hugely accomplished debut EP, Digital Meadow. Early co-signs followed from the likes of Moses Sumney and Charli XCX, as well as Grimes and Billie Eilish for breakout tracks like “Polly” and “Multiply”

Comfortably In Pain, Dora’s most recent EP, dropped earlier this year, earning her high praise from Billboard, Pitchfork, and, FLOOD Magazine.

Last year, Dora shared a stripped-down live collection of songs filmed in Hope, Alaska (watch here). In recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, 100% of proceeds from the sale of the audio on Bandcamp went to Inuit Circumpolar Council-Alaska, an organization that exists to be the unified voice and collective spirit of Alaskan Inuit. 

Dora has released her first single Bumblebee, alongside the official video today, which she self-directed, featuring the talent of local dance students Olive and Ophelia. 

Bumblebee the song is an attempt to escape the painful reality of human experience and trade it with the perspective of a bumblebee, a creature who can see a higher frequency of light, a creature who has wings and can fly off the cold hard ground, a creature that lives in service of nature. My problems seem silly when I remember the existence of these intelligent creatures who could never be bothered by the trivial things that bother me.”

Consistently delivering well-written guitar pop standout tracks like Bumblebee, Dora Jar has well earned her wings and is poised to take flight for the rest of the year and beyond – stay tuned for more music coming very soon.

Happy: How’s your day been? How do you usually start your days?

Dora: Great. Today I did Yoga. Most days I do a little meditation and then get coffee, write, play guitar and go to a session.

Happy: What’s your favourite thing about living in California? And of all the places you have lived, where was your favourite?

Dora: I don’t live in California full time but my family does. When I did live here full time, I loved hiking and I like driving when I’m here and walking with my mama’s dog Leo. I don’t have any favourite places to live, but there was something special about living in Poland because it’s a big part of my DNA and I began to appreciate the history and language a lot more and connected to my Polish family. 

Happy: Congrats on your latest single, Bumblebee. Can you talk us through the meaning and inspiration behind the song?

 Dora: Bumblebee the song is an attempt to escape the painful reality of human experience and trade it with the perspective of a bumblebee, a creature who can see a higher frequency of light, a creature who has wings and can fly off the cold hard ground, a creature that lives in service of nature. 

My problems seem silly when I remember the existence of these intelligent creatures who could never be bothered by the trivial things that bother me.

Happy: The music video you directed for Bumblebee is so vibrant and fun. Can you tell us a bit about your inspiration behind the theme and visuals?

Dora: I was inspired by the energy of the two dancers my friend teaches ballet to. They had been dancing to my music and I was so honored and wanted to meet them in real life and play for them in person. 

It seemed right to capture the joy and freedom of that experience for the Bumblebee video.

Happy: You’ve directed all of your music videos so far. What does your creative process look like? Where do you draw your ideas from?

Dora: I’m always very involved in the creative direction and planning of the videos – I normally co-direct with another director. My visuals have been inspired by the Pina Bausch dance company, the book Jitterbug Perfume, Sesame Street, my dreams, and David Lynch.

Happy: I read that you found some musical inspiration during a period of time when you were living in London. Was there anything in particular about the city that sparked the creative inspiration behind the music you were making?

Dora: London was just the first place I ever recorded my original music. And it’s where I started believing in myself as an artist and not a person who dropped out of college with confusion about what to do next. 

Happy: You’re opening for Billie Eilish on her tour in September. What are you most looking forward to about that experience?

Dora: First of all, just being around Billie and her amazing team and family who are so down to earth and welcoming, and having the incredible experience of watching their soundcheck. And then obviously just performing to so many Billie fans most of whom probably don’t know me yet but there is something about the Billie fanbase that makes them the best possible fanbase to perform to. Their energy is unmatched.  

Happy: If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be?

Dora: David Lynch or Labi Siffre

Listen to Bumblebee HERE