Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Dan Aura

Rising singer-songwriter Dan Aura is using his craft and artistry to empower listeners around the world to be their authentic selves. That message and his sound have connected with thousands of listeners around the globe and established Dan as one to watch. With his debut EP on the way, Pop Culturalist caught up with Dan to learn more about the release and his new single “Straight Boys”.

PC: You’ve got a new single out now. Tell us about “Straight Boys” and the inspiration behind the single.
Dan: “Straight Boys” is kind of my personal closure for a lot of things that I went through as a young queer kid. When we wrote this song, I wanted to take all the stereotypes that were used against me and use them to empower myself. Essentially, I’m saying, “So what?” It was extremely cathartic to finally say all the things that I never got to say as a child all wrapped up in a catchy pop song.

I’m incredibly proud of this song because it’s exactly what I needed when I wasn’t proud of who I was, so I hope this song can be that for the new generation of queer kids.

PC: You’re getting ready to drop your debut EP. What can fans expect from Plastic?
Dan: Plastic is a collection of four songs. Each song is widely different from the next. I wanted to discuss a few different things that were stuck in my mind, such as the pain of a one-sided love (from the opposite perspective), the problems with today’s role models, and being underappreciated. The project was a huge step in the right direction for me as a creative. Over the past year, I’ve really discovered my sound and what makes me happy as an artist. I hope that everyone can take exactly what they need from this EP as there are a lot of different topics and emotions to relate to; this project isn’t for any specific gender, race, identity, or sexuality. It’s for everyone.

PC: If you had to select one song off of Plastic that best encompasses you as an artist, which would it be and why?
Dan: I would probably say “Feel It,” which was incredibly fun to create in the studio. It utilizes a lot of structures and effects that I hadn’t even thought of previously. It’s dark and sassy with almost spoken verses and a chorus that slaps you round the face. I love it.

PC: With this being your debut EP, did anything surprise you about the process of putting this project together? What was the biggest takeaway?
Dan: The project has taken a year from start to finish, which initially was never the plan, but the past year has made it extremely difficult for all types of creatives. I remember back in December of 2020 we had recorded most of the songs, but they were nowhere near being finished and we got put into lockdown. That really sucked. It’s very draining having to sit on songs for longer than a couple of months because the most rewarding part of it all is seeing everyone’s reactions and how they connect with it.

PC: What do you hope to say as an artist with this body of work?
Dan: I wanted to encapsulate the hardships of modern adolescence and of showing your authentic self to the world. I want people to feel empowered and inspired to live their best life in any way that makes them feel confident. That’s one of the main things I stand for as an artist. If there’s one thing that I want people to take away from this EP, it’s the importance of loving yourself for who you really are.

To keep up with Dan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “Straight Boys” on iTunes or Spotify.