Australian native Dianna Corcoran released her debut American album ‘In America’ on January 29th. Dianna is doing things “the old school way” and camping her way across America as she does her radio tour. She recently took some time to talk to New England Country Music about moving from Australia to Nashville and the process of making her new album.
In 2011, Dianna moved from her native country of Australia to Nashville. Making the move to Nashville was always a dream of hers. Dianna said, “although we have a wonderful industry in Australia, if you want to keep moving forward the logical step is to move to the states.” She also told us, “nobody loves country music like Americans.”
Being in Nashville is great for Dianna who said one of the best things is the access to other songwriters, as well as studios. If you want to do any recording, all you have to do is pick up the phone and you can do it that day. Dianna told us, “Nashville is an inspiring town.” Even before moving there full-time she would travel to Nashville and when she would get back home she would be able to write for months just off the inspiration of spending the time there.
The best advice Dianna received when moving to Nashville was “don’t believe every compliment you receive” and to “stay humble and don’t take in everything that is said to you that is positive.” People are very generous and they may tell you that you sound great even when you don’t.
Dianna’s new album album isn’t much different than what she has released in the past, though she said there are some subtle differences. The singer said that she can’t even pinpoint the exact differences. Dianna told us that while country music in Australia is in line with country music in the US, there are some small differences. She’s noticed that she can play a song that Australians really like and when she plays them in the US Americans don’t have the same reaction as the Australians, and vice versa. When making this album she really listened to her fans and the advice of others around her. As a result, this album is “a more commercial version of me.”
‘In America’ was self-produced by Dianna. This wasn’t the first time producing for her as she has always had a hand in the production process, but this was the first time she has fully produced her own album. She was talking to her engineer Eric Legg about how she needed to find a producer and he said, ‘I don’t understand why you are looking for a producer, you are good enough to do this yourself.’ It took hearing him say that for her to decide to produce the album. She did get some help from fellow musician Kristian Bush, but this really was her project.
Dianna co-wrote each of the twelve songs on the album and said, “Almost every song that is on the album has been on hold for a major artist at some stage.” She thought, “If these songs keep getting pulled back for people, then there must be something going on with them, they must be great.” She worked with a lot of great co-writers on these songs including Bush, Jeff Cohen, and Gary Burr. When it comes to writing with other songwriters, Dianna said she doesn’t have any favorite co-writer rather she has a group of favorite co-writers, “it’s my dream team.” All of the co-writers on the album are part of this ‘dream team.’
The lead single off the album, ‘God Did Good,’ was released to radio in August. This song was co-written by Bush and Cohen. She said the song she is most excited for people to hear is ‘Thank You For Cheating on Me,’ which she says is, “a great chick anthem and it’s a non-beater approach to a cheating situation.” When asked if she has a favorite song on the album she said no, but she really loves ‘Hold On Lover,’ which is one that she sings with Bush, who, along with Cohen, co-wrote the song. She also really loves ‘Not Ready to Lose,’ which she sings with Burr. Dianna said, “It’s so personal and emotional and she loves that part of her singing.”
Dianna’s album is now available on iTunes- you can purchase it here. We look forward to hearing more from Dianna in the future and hope to see her in New England soon.