Words by Willa Rudolph; Photos by Cameron Littell
Hello fair readers, Spring is upon us! I am done wearing pants for the season. As we feel the rebirth of the earth, so appropriate is indie-pop artist Darla Dean Lewis’ new single “Bred To Be,” out today!
“It’s about going for what you want…one day I just decided I want to make music and so I posted every early demo I had on my Instagram and just said, ‘Here I am, internet! Take me or leave me,” Darla tells The Deli.
With a Jenny Lewis-like flair, Darla’s vocals strike a chord over the resonant guitar, which chugs along percussively throughout the song. The paired down verses open up into wide open spaces full of sound for the chorus. Dreamy Americana, rainbows visible in the sunlight reflecting off the sprinkler water, wet feet in the grass…that’s what I’m feeling listening to “Bred To Be.” Throwing your bike down, and running on asphalt with no shoes on.
“‘Fraid if I get a little bit bolder / I’d bite the chip on your shoulder / You’d say we used to be closer / Maybe when we’re a little bit older / I’ll get to say that I told you / I wasn’t bred to be no one,” she sings.
To me, Darla stood out first because of her creative and consistent social media presence, which I find cuts through the muck and mire quite strongly, a laser beam of clear message, great production, and just enough humor. Next, her music was able to back the eye catching impression.
About “Bred To Be” Darla explains, “I wrote this song around this time last year, and brought it to my friend Aaron Graham, who helped me flesh out the production of the real baby demo (originally called ‘Chef Boyardee’ because I felt like the little can in those 2000s commercials, hopping off the shelf and rolling down bumpy roads towards a new life… lol, but I thought maybe that imagery was a little niche). Later, towards the end of 2024, I finished this song with my friend Richard Orofino (Sex Week), who is producing the rest of my debut EP.” “Bred To Be,” “Millions,” “Are You There God It’s Me, Darla,” and two additional upcoming singles will all be on that EP!
Infusing a New York cool into a pop that reminds me a great deal of early 2010’s indie pop, Darla Dean Lewis could be on a list with Sharon Van Etten, Laura Marling, Courtney Barnett, St. Vincent, Karen O, and Florence & The Machine.
“I’m really excited for Bred To Be to be out,” she says, “after a year of hoarding it! I feel convinced that what I’m saying in this song is true–I was ‘Bred To Be’ free and honest and dramatic, frankly!”
Get it, girl!!
