Dasha Talks ‘Mad About It’ While Spotlighting Special Needs Shelter Dog On The Pupdate
While spending time with Thumper, an 11-month-old special needs shelter dog, Dasha opened up about the inspiration behind her new single, “Mad About It.”
Dasha on the Pupdate; Photo by Osprey Media
Dasha returns for Part 2 of the Pupdate, filmed in partnership with the MuttNation Foundation, continuing their mission to spotlight shelter animals who are often overlooked and in need of loving homes. On a beautiful spring day, the country/pop breakout star visited the Williamson County Animal Center, where she spent time getting to know Thumper, an 11-month-old mixed breed pup who has already faced a difficult start to life.
Thumper was rescued from a landfill, and after medical evaluation, staff learned that he is both hearing and vision impaired. Despite those challenges, the team at Williamson County Animal Center quickly discovered that his heart works just fine…he is sweet, affectionate, and full of joy. Thumper immediately won Dasha over during their walk together.
Following Part 1 of the episode, where Dasha dished on all things ACM Awards and Las Vegas, the breakout star returned for Part 2 to chat about her new music, including her latest single, “Mad About It.”
Written by Dasha, Bardo Novotny, and Charlotte Sands, “Mad About It” puts a playful spin on heartbreak. The infectious track finds Dasha trying to convince herself (and everyone around her) that she’s completely moved on, even though she’s still hung up on the situation.
“This song is a true personality song,” she revealed. “It’s all sarcasm, the entire song.”
During our walk with Thumper, Dasha opened up about the inspiration behind the track and explained why capturing the right vocal delivery proved to be one of the biggest challenges in bringing the song to life.
“The fun part about this song was the vocal delivery was so tricky…I was just so mad at this guy. But it was this weird petty thing of being … I’m sure you can relate. Sometimes in the world as a woman, you can’t act like you’re mad and you have to be like, ‘Oh, what do you mean? Oh, I don’t mind that you’re sleeping with my best friend. Oh, I don’t mind at all.’ And so it’s just that emotion, whatever the scenario is. But the whole thing is just like, ‘no, I’m not mad about it. I would never write a song about it. I haven’t even thought about it.’”
She continued, “And the vocal…The vocal delivery was interesting. I tried to recut the vocals and then we ended up going back to the demo vocal because it was just in the studio. It was raw. And I was feeling it.”
“Mad About It” offers fans an early glimpse at what they can expect from Dasha’s forthcoming album. The singer-songwriter has spent the last year and a half working on the project alongside her brother/producer, Bardo Novotny, and friend/producer Ben Johnson, and she says the experience has allowed her to lean further into her artistry than ever before.
As she continues shaping the record, Dasha says she’s found herself reconnecting with the songwriting style and creative instincts that first made her fall in love with music.
“It’s been so cool working with them, being such close friends and obviously with my brother. I don’t know… I feel like I’m bringing it really back to my roots and where I first started falling in love with songwriting and just allowing myself to be really confident in my choices and just say things that other artists can’t quite say the way I can,” she explained. “I mean, that’s the beauty of being an artist. You say things a certain way that no one else can.”
For more of Dasha’s Pupdate episode, watch the video above.
We’re also happy to report that Thumper has since been adopted and is now living his happily ever after in a loving home. There are still plenty of dogs at Williamson County Animal Center waiting for families of their own. Senior dogs, dogs with special needs, and longer-term shelter residents are often among the most overlooked, despite having just as much love to give. If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, the shelter has many lovable dogs still searching for a second chance.More information can be found HERE.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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