Dana Vaughns is back with a hot new track: the singer has just released his latest single “Underneath,” and it’s blowing up across Spotify and YouTube. And of course, he has a fantastic music video filled with incredible dance choreography to go along with it. Celeb Secrets caught up with the star to hear the story behind the new song, find out what it was really like filming the video, and hear about the new direction his career is headed in. Check out our exclusive Q & A below.
Celeb Secrets: How have the fan reactions been so far to the release of “Underneath”?
Dana Vaughns: I’ve been really pleased with the reactions. It’s really cool to see people fall in love with my music time and time again. I’m trying to bring forward as many as my talents and showcase the music in the best light, and I think I made my fans happy with this release.
Celeb Secrets: What’s a message that you hope listeners take away from this song?
Dana Vaughns: Well besides the song being a double entendre, I want people to take away the feeling the song gives them when they hear it. In my opinion, this record is the perfect balance between chill and catchy with meaning lyrical content. This song is a whole package to me, song/video/aesthetic.
Celeb Secrets: If this song is the first someone ever hears from you, what kind of introduction to your music do you think it would be?
Dana Vaughns: I think “Underneath” is a great look at what’s to come. I’ll consistently create music with a groove, and a story that has my unique viewpoint. Fans can rest assured that what they hear is what they can get used too.
Celeb Secrets: And if a fan has been following your career for years, how do you hope this work drives your story further?
Dana Vaughns: That hard work pays off. I’ve been working since I was 10 in the industry and have been blessed to have had supporters and gained their trust to always deliver quality work, in anything I do.
Celeb Secrets: Can you tell us about the symbolism behind the blindfolds in the music video, and how the idea came to be?
Dana Vaughns: Today it’s rare that people find it easy to open up or get to know each other for who they really are. So I wanted to have an environment with millennials, dressed nice, hair nice, makeup done, but not of that matters when the only way you can make a connection is through conversation or body language. Driving the message of getting to know what’s underneath the exterior.
The idea just brewed up one night with me and Nick DeMoura bouncing ideas and then suddenly the blindfold metaphor popped in my head.
Celeb Secrets: Was it at all challenging to work with the blindfolds?
Dana Vaughns: It was definitely something that took getting used too. Your visibility is 100%, so getting the choreography into our muscle memory quick was key.
Celeb Secrets: Can you tell us about the video’s choreography, and how you feel it helps tell the song’s story?
Dana Vaughns: Thanks to Nick DeMoura and Nicole Kirkland and of course influence from myself, we created a nostalgic, clean, and intriguing piece. We were able to embellish the blindfolds with our choice of focus, you’ll notice how some movements feel jerky, which gives a sense that we don’t know where we are but somehow so seamlessly together.
Celeb Secrets: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, would you be able to share a fun secret about the track, either its recording or filming the video?
Dana Vaughns: I recorded the song in Atlanta. Also, the pre-chorus was the last piece we finished while recording. We had another option in there but it wasn’t feeling right. I ended up freestyling what is now the pre-chorus in one take after that and the song was complete.
Be sure to check out Dana’s new video for “Underneath” above, and leave us your reactions below!
