We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Charity Daw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Charity below.
Charity , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
When I first started out in music, it felt a bit like a boy’s club. A lot of times I was the only girl in the room. I remember feeling that even more so socially. Over the years, I’ve realized that being a women has absolutely been a strength and not a hindrance. I believe that my perspective is beneficial to any creative endeavor, and I lean in!
It’s lead me to write for so many inspiring female voices from Disney Princesses to Dora the Explorer! I get to work with so many amazing women daily, on the both the creative and business side. Cue Shania! Let’s go girls!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
RIAA platinum and Billboard chart-topping singer/songwriter/producer Charity Daw’s pen has amassed over a billion streams to date. With a roster of media-spanning credits from major brands, artists, tv/film, and everything in between, some of her credits include Dove Cameron, Paris Hilton, Jordin Sparks, Ally Brooke (Fifth Harmony), Disney’s hit Descendants franchise, Blues Clues & You, Rugrats, Polly Pocket, Shadowhunters and the Mortal Instruments, Netflix’s Gentefied, and Apple+ new series Circuit Breakers. Currently Charity is crafting all original music for the Nickelodeon and Paramount + reboot of Dora The Explorer, premiering spring 2024!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three pieces of advice that have served me well in an industry as volatile as the music business starts at focusing on the things you can control. By investing in yourself and always pushing to get better, you’ll be ready when opportunity arises. Another is staying flexible. It’s easy to confuse your vision with the idea of how your career “should” go. The best creatives are open to new paths and know how to pivot. I would say it’s almost imperative in today’s landscape. Lastly, have mental fortitude. Don’t allow yourself to get too high with the highs or too low with the lows. Every career has peaks and valleys. Stay the course and never be afraid of the valleys, it’s the perfect time to have your next great idea.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I became a mom two years ago and it really challenged me to find balance in my life for the first time. My ambition has always been my north star and my work, the nucleus of all my decision-making.
Motherhood has really allowed me to reevaluate my goals and approach. I used to think I had to take every opportunity that came my way but now, I’m so much more deliberate about where I put my creative energy. Burnout is real and I’ve accepted that in this phase of my life I might not be the most prolific in the game, but when I take on a project I want to be excited, inspired and the best version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charitydaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charitydaw
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charitydawandjoshedmondson/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CharityDaw
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@charitydaw
Image Credits
Photos by Erick Anderson (permission granted for use)
