Indie rock band Dakota 66 has released their debut single, “Bubble,” a lively, affectionate friendship anthem that explores the feeling of safety in knowing that someone will be unconditionally there for you.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Dakota 66 about the latest release, dream collabs, choosing a favorite song of all time, and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Are you able to choose a favorite song of all time? Or would you label this an impossible task? If yes, what’s the song? If no, what’s your current Top 3?

This is a very difficult question as I have many favourite songs all for different reasons, but I have to say that recently I was hooked on “Seventeen Going Under” by Sam Fender. It’s raw, honest, and has a great feel-good factor, although the lyrics are dark.

What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

We release the album in June, which I am delighted about, as it has taken a long time. We always wanted to produce an album that sounded like you are in the room with the band, I hope we have achieved this. We wanted also to walk that line between being radio-friendly, with a feeling of raw and live, so as the emotion of the songs would come through. The sound was produced so that the vocal sits above the song to produce that clarity of lyrics often lost today, with overproduction and layering, so that everything blends.

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

Music, to me, is one of the few things in life that can shift people’s emotions, and make you feel happy or sad. I remember meeting a great Spanish artist, Brosco, in his studio in Barcelona. When I arrived I asked him what he was painting as he sat on the ground making long brush strokes of colour on a canvas. Not understanding what it was, I asked him what he was painting. He said “I am painting a mood.” I did not understand – he explained that it was like sound. Music can shift your emotion and make you feel something. I was skeptical but bought the painting, and put it on the wall in my house in Portugal. When I walk into that room it jumps off the wall and hits you, with its bright primary colours, it always makes me feel alive. Music is like that, often a song can lift you up like nothing else, and it’s instant. Music for me is that constant search for that song that creates that sensation.

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

I think for me it would be Stevie Nicks. For me, she is the gypsy of indie rock, has that unique voice, and is a stellar vocalist and songwriter – she sings from her soul.

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

A mad Irish band that I think will be very big – The Scratch. They are fun, irreverent edgy, but musically brilliant. I have not seen them live but look forward to it. Other bands would be The Riptide Movement and of course, Stereophonics.

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

We are on all the music channels and of course Instagram

Youtube: @dakota66_band

Instagram: @dakota66_band

Spotify