Dasha – ‘Austin’

Dreams can come true if you just persevere. Case in point, Dasha, the 24-year old country singer from California, whose viral hit ‘Austin’ has become the talk of the town in country music circles. Released way back in November 2023, the song began to gain steam after a couple of viral TikTok videos featuring the song were released back in February 2024. Ever since then, the song has become a top five hit on the US Hot Country Songs chart and a top ten hit in the UK and Ireland music charts!

Not bad for someone who was a struggling independent artist as recently as a few months ago! Virality aside, the song is an excellent track featuring clever lyrics and Dasha’s strong, distinct vocals. With her pop leanings, Dasha looks poised to become another pop/country crossover artist in the vein of Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, and Maren Morris.

The song can also be a sequel to Tracey Chapman’s classic ‘Fast Car’, where the planned escape from the small town doesn’t exactly go according to plan as one of the two lovers decides to not leave. As a resident of Austin, I can understand the appeal of this great Texas city, but I digress! In the end, Dasha kicks her boyfriend to the curb and hightails it out of Austin to California, leaving him forever.

While a song like this can devolve into cliches and be seen as another run-of-the-mill kiss-off song, it is saved by the charisma of Dasha and the lyrics which evoke the tongue-in-cheek songs from Shania Twain’s groundbreaking album ‘Come On Over’. ‘Austin’ has led the former independent artist to sign with the major label Warner Records. With new music on the way, the future is bright for Dasha!