Words by Art Jefferson
Photography by Aysia Marotta, Lissyelle Laricchia and courtesy of Delacey
Delacey represents the classic idea that talent mixed with hard work pays off. The Los Angeles-based artist has helped to write hit records for the likes of Halsey, Demi Lovato, Zara Larsson, The Chainsmokers and the list continues. While the credits to her name are incredibly impressive, as a singer Delacey is just as dynamic with a range that stretches across multiple genres.
Raised in Orange County in Southern California, Delacey was classically trained as a pianist harking back to her days as a child. Around the same time she began writing poetry, leading her to crafting songs around the age of seven. After graduating high school, Delacey packed her bags and relocated to New York City. Although she worked on music while living in NYC, Delacey suffered from homesickness as well as started to question the direction of her life. However, it was during these moments where the incredible track ‘The Subway Song’ was born, not to mention ‘New York City’. Eventually she made the move back to California armed with a clear vision of being a musician. Grinding it out, her song ‘New York City’ was picked up by The Chainsmokers and became a smash. This would be Delacey’s gateway into the industry which led her to become an in-demand songwriter. She went on to co-write Halsey’s Number 1 hit record ‘Without Me’. Scorching hot, Delacey would help pen songs for Demi Lovato, Zara Larsson, Madison Beer and more.
Delacey is now ready to step back into her shoes as an artist, having already released stellar singles including ‘My Man’, which was listed as BBC Radio 1 Presenter Annie Mac’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’, and the punching ‘No One’s Gonna Ever Love U’, just to name a few. Signed to L.A. Reid’s Hitco label, her latest record ‘Cruel Intentions’ featuring none other than G-Eazy is an unadulterated hit single with Delacey once again proving that not only does she have the golden touch but is clearly about to own the world of pop.
Although you began playing music extremely young, you’ve stated before that you didn’t come from a family of musicians, but your father was heavily into music. Do you think he had a particular vision of you moving in a musical direction?
Delacey – My dad definitely played a huge part in me falling in love with music, but It was my Grandma who always pushed me to take piano and dance lessons along with acting, singing, and all that jazz. I think she’s the main reason it always felt like my calling.
You grew up in Southern California, but eventually left to go to New York. What originally brought you to NYC?
Delacey – I had visited New York a few times growing up and it was always such a special place in the world to me. Something about the energy was always both happy and sad at the same time. When I graduated high school I knew that college wasn’t for me. I was ready to start living my life and to follow my dreams. I was feeling spontaneous I guess you could say. I wanted an adventure and inspiration. I took the little money I had saved and moved to NYC.
While many people may see the success of an artist, they don’t see the ups and downs that one had to go through and endure before reaching certain heights. You’ve mentioned before that you’ve also had to go through trials and tribulations. How were you able to stay strong and persevere through them?
Delacey – It’s never easy and sometimes almost impossible but if you truly believe in yourself and your passion, it drives you in such a way it’s hard to explain. Passion passion passion. You basically are running off of it when nothing else in life is helping you get through it.
You have written for superstars including Halsey, Zara Larsson, Demi Lovato and more. What is your writing process when penning songs for other singers and is it hard to ever let go of some songs?
Delacey – Since I’m a very lyrical writer, no matter who I’m writing for it becomes personal to me. I don’t know how to write about things I haven’t at least gone through at some point in my life. That being said when I’m writing for or with other artists it becomes a blend and a collaboration of everyone’s experiences combined. It’s a truly beautiful thing. When I wrote my album it was on another level of personal and vulnerable. It’s no ones perspective but my own.
One song that I absolutely love is ‘The Subway Song’. From the lyrics to the gorgeous melodies and production, it’s just a wonderfully crafted track. Was that one of the cuts you wrote while in New York and what inspired it?
Delacey – Thank you so much! Yes it was definitely written in NYC. I actually wrote the lyrics for this song on the subway home from the studio. I picked a fight with my boyfriend and was super homesick and emotional. I was sitting there embarrassed to be crying in front of strangers and pulled out my phone and penned most of the lyrics before I even reached my stop.
Another track that is definitely cutting is ‘No One’s Gonna Ever Love U’. Can you talk a bit about that song? Also, if that was coming from personal experience, how easy or hard is it to share those moments of your life with listeners?
Delacey – This one in particular is the hardest song I’ve ever chosen to share with the world honestly. It was a really toxic relationship and a really bad breakup that I was still recovering from when I wrote it. I was scared for people to hear this one because of course it’s harsh and angry, but it also shows a side of me that was weak and hurt. It makes me feel super naked to everyone which makes me almost turn red but at the same time feels freeing. I don’t know what the point of music is if it’s not to be honest.
Having already penned Number 1 hits, can you tell beforehand when you work on a song that it’s going to be a smash?
Delacey – You can NEVER tell but every once a while you write one and you get this feeling and look around the room like what did we just do? Is this going to be big?
How did you link up with G-Eazy for your single ˜Cruel Intentions and what was it like working with him?
Delacey – We have mutual friends in the industry and I’ve always been a fan of him so it was inevitable that we would work eventually. He’s insanely talented at what he does and this song poured out of all of us that night. It was a lot of fun .
Finally, what advice would you give aspiring artists in terms of trying to make it in the music industry?
Delacey – This might sound weird but my advice is don’t do it because it’s too hard. If they say fuck you and don’t listen to me then they have what it takes to make it.
https://www.delaceymusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/delacey
https://www.facebook.com/officialdelaceymusic/
https://twitter.com/delaceyofficial
Delacey Spotify
Delacey YouTube Channel