Meet Dakota Striplin | Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dakota Striplin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dakota, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have always known that I would want to have a career in music but when I was 18 I decided to make that a reality by booking my own gigs in Australia. I got my own business number and started operating as my own agent. I’ve been gigging professionally for over 6 years. This then progressed to also writing personalised songs for weddings, engagements and gifts for loved ones.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve always wanted to create a career for myself in music and never really knew how to! I was listening to the podcast called “and the writer is” and Ryan Tedder said to all the aspiring artists and songwriters to move to where the action is happening. So this year my wife and I moved to Nashville so I could pursue this career. Immediately after the move COVID hit and I really didn’t know what to do. I saw an opportunity on Instagram to win $10k through a talent show held by Ryan Trahan. In this talent show I decided to write a song about Ryan Trahan and Haley Pham’s relationship called “See You In Austin”. Ryan then messaged me and asked if I could record and release the song because he was about to propose to Haley. I got it all done and then put out the song as they announced their engagement. The song is now almost at 1M streams on Spotify alone and has given me a great audience to share my original music with. I learnt that taking every opportunity is so important because you never know where it might lead!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In Nashville there are a few things you have to do! The Listening Room Cafe would be the number 1 thing to do on the list. You never know who you might discover at the writers round they hold there. Taco Mamacita would be the first place I would take someone for lunch or dinner then maybe Nine Daughters bakery for a donut! You definitely have to hit downtown and see some live music at the honkeytonks! Two other spots to hit are the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe! Can’t miss those!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout is to my main support system which is my beautiful wife and my parents! Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything I’ve done so far in my career!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotastriplin/?hl=en
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/dakotastriplinmusic/
Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCaz5XQtHQcHTJRASZJnUkJQ
Other: Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZStxS9j3/