Originally from South Africa, Dilana set our TV screens alight on the reality TV show Rockstar Supernova so, on a recent promotional visit to the UK, Planet Loud sat down and had a quick chat to the lady to find out more about her.
Planet Loud – Okay, so for people who don’t know you, who are you?
Dilana – “I’m a female rock singer extraordinaire from Johannesburg but I live in Los Angeles. I’ve been singing my heart out for the last sixteen or seventeen years. I’m a free spirit, very loving, very caring, rock and roll girl. Part of the purpose of this visit to the UK is to get into people’s faces and give them a taste of Dilana.
Planet Loud – Why did you move to LA?
Dilana – I managed to get myself onto a reality TV rock show called Rockstar Supernova in America which was a show Tommy Lee put together. I was the runner-up for that show. It was being filmed in Los Angeles and I was living in Houston, Texas at the time and moved to LA and have never been home since. I love the weather, love the people and it’s the best place to be for people in my industry.
Planet Loud – What was Texas like?
Dilana – It was a huge culture shock for me. They don’t lie when they say everything is big in Texas, it really is. The first thing I did was get me a big old dodge truck. I felt really huge what with me being five foot one. It was hard for me to adjust at first as I’d moved there from Amsterdam. It took about two years for me to adjust but, I can tell you one thing, I met some amazing people there and some of my best friends are from there.
Planet Loud – You mentioned the Rockstar Supernova program. What was that like?
Dilana – It was like puke in a tumble-dryer. It was messy.
Planet Loud – What did you learn from it?
Dilana – That you need a thick skin in the music industry. I also learned that I didn’t have a tough skin at all before I got on that show. The industry is tough especially for a female. I learned about living in a mansion with strangers. I learned about aiming before I fire. I was a very open, didn’t give a shit kind of person and just did my thing whether the cameras were on me or not.
Planet Loud – Do you think you changed as a person?
Dilana – I wouldn’t say my personality changed but I think I definitely learned to think before I speak. I’ve always been who I am and I’m never going to change.
Planet Loud – Tommy Lee, Gilby Clarke, Jason Newstead and Dave Navarro. Who was your favourite?
Dilana – Oh, that’s unfair. I loved them all. They’re all adorable.
Planet Loud – You’ve been working with Mick Mars as well recently?
Dilana – Yeah, you see this tattoo, me and Mick both got this done. He’s got it on his guitar pick as well. He’s a wonderful person, he’s my soulmate. Mick has been amazing support for me. He’s helped me through a lot of bullshit and has been like a guardian angel.
Planet Loud – Who else have you worked with?
Dilana – I worked with Johnny Colt from The Black Crowes – he’s another amazing musician. He does a lot of DJ’ing and would make these cool loops and beats and let me make something from them.
Planet Loud – What inspires you as a writer?
Dilana – Everything. A lot of pain has inspired me but I’m not saying my music is depressing. There is a lot of emotional stuff that I’ve been through. There is an upbeat side to my music as well. My songs are my art. They’re an extension of my emotions and I want people to listen to my music and feel enlightened by the songs. For me it’s all about the art.
Planet Loud – What’s going through your mind when you play the songs?
Dilana – Everything I went through when I wrote the songs. I relive the inspiration behind the song and I hope that will remain with me for ever. I can’t stand on stage and sing those songs without any heart or soul.
Planet Loud – Okay, just to finish off, how would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Dilana – I’m a passionate, groovy, freaky, loving, hardcore rock bitch!
Interview by Graham Finney
