Dilana is a singer-songwriter, rock ‘n’ rolling-pierced gypsy with kaleidoscopic hair and a palette of tattoos.
“Every one has a symbolic meaning,” Dilana said of her tattoos. “I call it my epidermal scrapbook.”
The phoenix wrapping her arm represents resurrection. The Japanese characters down her spine mean survivor. The globe on her neck reminds her of her performance at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Dilana will perform tonight at 8 at the Schottenstein Center as the opening act for Supernova.
Supernova consists of Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted and Gilby Clarke, former members of Motley Crue, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses, respectively.
She earned her touring gig through the CBS reality television show “Rockstar: Supernova,” where contestants sang for the right to front the band Supernova.
Her time on “Rockstar” was commemorated with another addition to her epidermal scrapbook.
“I have no regrets doing the show although the ‘cheese’ factor is tied to it,” Dilana said. “It’s the best move I made to get my music and my voice out there. I want to use my voice not only for singing but for getting a voice out there for a generation.”
Dilana finished second in the competition, but she won the hearts of Supernova and fans nationwide with her powerful voice and real-deal rock persona.
“She’s not posing in any way,” said Magni, fellow Supernova finalist and Icelandic rockstar. “That’s the thing I like about her, she’s genuine.”
Dilana was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and began singing at a young age. After performing in bands in South Africa and Holland, she moved to the Netherlands to form her own band and became one of the country’s highest-paid performers.
She has her own record label, Rusty Harp, through that she plans to record her American debut which should be released this summer in June or July.
“Dilana’s music has qualities that sound familiar to people that are friends of music of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. There’s this familiarity in her voice that reminds me of Janis (Joplin), Stevie (Nicks), with a unique vocal presence and charismatic performance,” said Jimmy Stewart, Dilana’s manager.
Dilana said she wants to be a good role model and “show you can have tats and piercings but still do great things in life.”
She actively supports the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Lili Claire
Foundation and strongly believes and encourages the power of women.
Her new single “Holiday” will be released on Feb. 20 on iTunes and MySpace.
Dustin Smith can be reached at [email protected].
