With their debut album, Where the Earth Bends, showcasing a maturity beyond their tender 21 years, Daffo delves into its making and meaning.

With poetic musings and country-tinged twangs, the rich and thoughtful debut record from LA-based singer-songwriter Daffo is a joy to the ears and a rebuilding for the soul. Where the Earth Bends finds the 21-year-old offering a body of work with a maturity far beyond their tender years, planted from a root of vulnerability and growing into something honest and fearless, a depiction of the artist’s inner conflicts and confessions. 

The latest impressive work from Daffo – following 2021’s acclaimed EP “Crisis Kit” and 2023 follow-up “Pest” – the album is an accomplished and emotionally potent collection of cuts. Talking to Wonderland, they delve into the reflective nature of their lyricism, explore the core of their artistic essence, and discuss the LP’s sonic influences. 

Listen to the album…

Read the interview…

Hey Daffo! How are you? How’s your summer been?

Good thanks! Summer’s been pretty chill. I’ve mostly just been taking time to rest before I go on tour again and making stupid videos for social media. Also finally getting the chance to settle into being in LA.

Talk us through your musical origins? 

My whole family was pretty loud growing up, lots of singing around the house and my parents made me and my sisters start learning instruments at an early age. I played violin for a while and then guitar and started writing songs. I was super shy about it for a while and then eventually I was like, oh this is what I want to do so I better do something about that.

 What would you describe as the core of your essence as a musician and performer?

Huh interesting question. I haven’t thought about this before. I guess honesty and desire. Like a desire for connection and a broader understanding of myself and the world. I think I just find music to be the most effective method of communication and it’s just such a big relief to be able to describe what’s going on inside of you. And I think in general honesty is so rare. And one’s ability to be honest to a large group of people is also so rare and such a gift. In a sense I want to lose myself when I’m sharing my music and kind of join into one “essence or core” with other people. I don’t really know if I answered that right. But I feel like I could go on forever about that.

You moved from Philadelphia to the City of Angels. How does being based in LA influence your artistry? 

I’m not quite sure yet. I’ve only really been here a few months, but I do notice that I have a little more room to breathe out here than when I lived in NYC. (I was in NYC for a while before LA). Also, it seems like everyone out here is some type of artist. It’s really inspiring to be making such cool, expressive friends out here. So, I guess we will find out soon enough what comes of that.

Your ability to lyrically reflect upon self is impressive. Where does that stem?

I’ve always been so self-aware. Too self-aware it can be a problem. I mean I’ve been in therapy since I was 12. I can tell you the reason I think anything, like where it all comes from and why and all that. But also, when it comes to the way I truly feel, in a weird way it’s the music that reveals it to me. Sometimes it’s this thing where I tap into my subconscious when I’m writing and it all comes out and then I’m like OH that’s how I feel? The music kind of guides it all out. Sometimes I just find the right chords for the moment and it unlocks something.

Congratulations on your debut album! How are you feeling about the release? 

A little nervous to be honest! All of these songs mean a lot to me and it’s always scary to share your deepest emotions lol. Especially when I’ve got more eyes on me than I ever have. People are going to have opinions about it. I. Guess it’s worse if no one has an opinion lol. But I ultimately hope that it just finds the right people and can offer a little comfort.

Why is it titled Where The Earth Bends?

Well I wrote the song “Where the Earth Bends” and then felt like that phrase was a nice descriptor for uncertainty and what you can’t see or understand. And also, that moment (the one the song describes) was kind of when I became sentient and a moment of growth for me. Also, the record is about so many different things – both life and death and I don’t know. It just seemed like it encapsulated a lot of how I felt when writing the record. I also just thought it was a cool title.

Talk us through the making of the record. Where did the concept stem from and how did you bring it to life? 

It was pretty straightforward, I think. I had some songs and brought them into the studio and then I wrote more songs and brought them in, etc. There was no concept when I started. It just grew into what it is. It’s a picture of a certain time in my life. Rob and Matt (the producer and engineer) definitely helped bring it all together and bring it to life. They really knew how to build around and support the songs and let them shine. They gave me space in the studio to explore and make the songs feel like ME. And I guess that’s what the record is. Just a little piece of me at a certain point in my life.

What influenced the sonic direction of the album? 

I didn’t really start out with an idea of what I wanted it to be. We treated each song differently and catered to what we felt like each song needed. (I think that’s why it might have been so hard to sequence everything lol) hmm… I make things I like to hear and play. So, I’m definitely influenced by the music I like. Lots of folk and rock. Was there a sonic direction? I don’t know. Is it wrong to say the songs themselves influenced it? And I don’t really have much control over what songs come out of me.

What does the album mean to you?

I don’t know. It feels like a picture of my soul. That’s like asking what do you mean to yourself. Putting it out feels like I’m walking naked in front of a bunch of people. It means a lot. I feel really proud of it. Writing all of these songs gave me this huge feeling of relief. It feels like my strength and my pain and love and growth. I wonder if all of my records are going to feel this way or it all just feels so raw because it’s my first one.

What else is to come from Daffo – this year and beyond?

Probably lots of touring and shows. I’ve written a few new songs. None of them good enough to share yet. I guess we will find out together!