Joy, Craft, and Community: ADA- on the Making of “Good Day”
With her vibrant new single Good Day out in the world, ADA- sits down to talk about songwriting as memory-making, the balancing act of indie artistry, and why joy itself can be a powerful creative statement. This is a conversation about sound, self-belief, and the community behind the music.
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Congratulations on the release of Good Day! Can you tell us about the journey that led to creating this track? What sparked the inspiration?
Thank you! I had taken a short break from songwriting while promoting our first EP, Entity 23, and focusing on production for our second, Quarter-Life Crisis. After that, we were eager to start writing again. It happened to be summer, and I felt inspired to create something fun, upbeat—something that simply felt like summer.
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As an independent artist, you manage both the creative and business sides of your work. What’s been the most challenging—and the most rewarding—part of that process for this release?
It’s honestly a lot—there’s no real roadmap. Everyone talks about being your own social media team, but that barely scratches the surface. Between writing, producing, promoting, managing fan engagement, and handling things like copyrights and registrations, it’s a full-time job and then some.
The most rewarding part has been connecting with other independent artists who’ve helped me navigate it all. I still feel like I’m missing something every day, but I’m learning, just like everyone else. It’s overwhelming, but with time and practice, you sharpen your skills and it becomes manageable. Staying open to advice and carving out time for each task has helped me balance the creative and business sides—and that balance, when achieved, feels incredibly rewarding.
For those who haven’t heard it yet, how would you describe the sound and vibe of Good Day? What do you hope listeners take away from it?
Good Day is pure sunshine in a song. It’s the vibe of hanging out by the pool or beach with your friends, drink in hand, music blasting—completely carefree. It’s an Americana-pop celebration designed to make people smile, dance, and feel that perfect summer high.
Can you walk us through your creative process for the track? Do you have a specific writing routine or space?
I don’t stick to a strict routine, but I prefer writing lyrics alone—it helps me stay focused. That said, I write wherever inspiration strikes, and my surroundings always influence the music. For Good Day, I was at a lake in New Hampshire on a warm summer day, just soaking it all in.
I started with a basic melody and began writing lyrics based on what I was experiencing—sun, warmth, a deep sense of contentment. I brought the idea to Dan, and we built it out from there: guitars, bass, drums. Dan added some bouncy keys and a groovy organ line, and we knew right away it needed horns to take it to the next level.
Our trumpet player, Billy Bedwell, even suggested steel drums, which ended up adding the perfect tropical touch.
The whole process felt playful and collaborative—we gave each musician space to add their own magic.
Are there any parts of Good Day that feel especially personal or meaningful to you?
Definitely. The second verse is another love letter to my friends. Living in southern Florida, we have a lot of poolside parties—and some of my favorite memories involve dancing bachata with my ballroom friends well into the night. Fans already know my love for dance (shoutout to Ballroom Song from Entity 23), so I had to honor that again.
We even nodded to Prince Royce in gratitude for the joy his music has brought us. That verse was my way of weaving those real memories into the track.
What role do you think independent artists like yourself play in shaping today’s music landscape? What makes your approach stand out?
Independent artists have more tools and freedom than ever. We can release music globally without relying on big labels, and that opens the door to incredible creative autonomy. We’re the ones innovating from the ground up.
For me, it’s about bringing raw humanity into both the lyrics and the sound. My music is rooted in real emotions and shared experiences—things that help people feel seen. I also believe in live instrumentation. A lot of today’s music leans on programmed sounds, which has its place, but can feel a bit too clean. I love working with musicians who bring heart, texture, and spontaneity to each track.
What kind of impact were you hoping Good Day would have on listeners? What have the reactions been like so far?
I’d never done a track that was just pure, unfiltered fun. My earlier songs were often more emotional or introspective. With Good Day, I wanted to lean into joy and nostalgia—something people could dance to and just feel good listening to.
The response so far has been amazing. Listeners have told me it’s become part of their summer playlists, and that’s exactly what I hoped for. It’s such a great feeling to know something so joyful resonated with people.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Any dream collaborations or upcoming projects?
There are two big goals on my radar: coordinating our first regional or national tour, and doing more collaborations. Earlier this year, I released a track with Dr. Chud of The Misfits called You’re Always Right, and we had a blast.
We’re actually working on more songs together—and possibly bringing in another legendary artist. I can’t say more just yet!
Long term, a dream collaboration would be with Andy Grammer. We share similar energy and values—uplifting music, full ensembles, humanist messages. That would be a full-circle moment for me.
What advice would you give to new independent artists just starting out?
Honestly? I wish someone had handed me a checklist. The learning curve is steep. But seriously, I have two main pieces of advice:
- Stay open. Listen to other artists, seek advice, and never assume you’ve got it all figured out.
- Believe in yourself. It sounds cliché, but it’s crucial. It’s so easy to compare yourself to others and get stuck in self-doubt. My late partner Dan always reminded me of my worth. Learn to see yourself the way others who love you do—you’ll be surprised by your own strength.
Now that Good Day is out in the world, what are you most excited about?
Seeing people embrace a lighter side of me has been so rewarding. Good Day is my love letter to summer, and I’m thrilled that it’s setting the tone for people’s lives right now. Whether they’re dancing, driving, or just catching a break in the sun—I hope it’s giving them a reason to smile. (And yes, if you listen to the last chorus, that really is me hitting a D6.)
If you’d like to explore the music in more depth, this page offers several ways to listen.
