“If I didn’t eat dirt, and if I didn’t bleed,
If I never loved and felt what it feels like to be hurt
I would never be—the woman I am”
~Dilana “The Woman I Am”
As a music journalist, I get some of my best leads from others in the biz and through the relationships I’ve forged. And DILANA
ROBICHAUX SMITH--the singer/songwriter/actress/humanitarian/force of nature--is no exception. My friend CHRIS VAN
DUYN of the band THIEF IN THE NIGHT sent me a message that he could introduce me to this phenomenal performer, Dilana,
as guitarist Van Duyn and vocalist JOHNNY ROSSA have recorded with her. This trilogy of Rock powerhouses collaborated in
studio on a limited edition CD that included “Baby It’s Cold Outside” and In Loving Memory” (written by MARK TREMONTI of
ALTER BRIDGE/CREED fame). This CD also included Dilana’s solo offering “Silver Ashes” (Produced by Dilana and JACK
ENDINO and mastered by JOE BOZZI), which was written by Dilana in memory of her mother. As I’m keenly aware of the talented
peeps Van Duyn hangs with--like the guitarist/producer RAFAEL MOREIRA and drummer RANDY COOKE --I hauled ass in
making a personal connection with Dilana.
I was already familiar with Dilana (just “Dilana”, like Cher or Madonna, but possessing more talent) from her television
appearance on “Rock Star: Supernova”--major “street cred” there. And so justlikethat, I was asking Dilana to appear in ION
Indie Magazine’s June Issue as my spotlighted artist--and next thing I knew…Dilana was responding with a fervent “I vote
YES!”
Based out of Los Angeles, South African native Dilana found her musical passion early—performing and developing her craft
as a vocalist in her strife-filled youth in Johannesburg. Leaving school at 16 after suffering that difficult childhood, she
escaped to Holland, where she developed into one of that country’s most popular performers--even opening for the Dutch rock
band GOLDEN EARRING (“Radar Love”)--but Dilana the Diva was just getting warmed up. By way of Houston, Dilana arrived in
Los Angeles, and this led to her epic appearance on the television show “Rock Star: Supernova”, where she smacked ‘em in
the face with her unique interpretations, gravelly-rich, raw vocals, and sultry strut. Her electric performance of “Won’t Get
Fooled Again” had host DAVE NAVARRO acclaim her as “incredible” and noted how much it would suck to be anyone following
her on the show. Former GUNS N’ ROSES rhythm guitarist GILBY CLARKE--who had joined Dilana onstage, gushed that she
could “front” his band anytime--then assigned her the moniker of “star”. Duh!