Minnesotans have had to change many things during the pandemic, but here's a new wrinkle -- One of the state's biggest artists is trying to change the way music is released.
Forget compiling work for months and months before anything is released. Dessa wants to come at you in real time.
Dessa joined News Talk 830 WCCO's Jearlyn Steele to explain her new release strategy for 2021, and it goes a little something like this: a new song every month.
"I had written a couple of these songs before the pandemic figuring I would do the normal thing: run around the country and try to move some of them and perform them for live audiences. But I've been interested in exploring a more serial thing where the relationship is a little longer than 'hey, here's the release day, OK, it's out, it's over.' Now you've got to wait for another year and a half for the next dose of music."
Dessa's plan is to release a new song on the 15th of every month during 2021. Why the 15th? The singer had a very specific reason for choosing that date.
"In the old Roman calendar, it was called Ides, in the middle of the month. So I figured if I'm going to do a monthly release, it would be good to name it something that people could remember when it was."
While releasing an album is a daunting task, releasing one every month will be challenging. Dessa thinks there is a positive to this model though.
"This project allows me to write as things are happening. Making an album takes a long time. By the time you put it out, some of the songs you put out are really old already. I like the idea of being able to comment on things in real time."
Dessa's new single "Rome" has been released and can be found wherever you stream your favorite music. And don't forget to follow her on social media for release updates so you can let the Ides carry you away.