Daphne Lane has been honing her craft for nearly a decade, writing songs since she was just ten years old. Her journey began at Mississauga open mics under the guidance of Arlene Paculan, where she evolved from a young student into a dedicated artist now studying music at Seneca. This lifelong dedication recently reached a major milestone: her first professional gig fronting a full band at Supermarket in Toronto. It is a transition that marks her arrival as a rising talent, bridging her local roots with a bright, professional future.

ROB AGUIAR - Starting in the Mississauga scene under Arlene’s mentorship, how has your view on songwriting changed now that you’re studying music formally?

DAPHNE LANE - I started in the Mississauga music scene under Arlene’s mentorship, where my passion for songwriting began. This grew through high school choir and band, eventually performing solo. This past year was life-changing; studying music formally introduced me to inspiring musicians who pushed me to grow in entirely new ways.

Music has been a constant through every stage of my life. After a year of formal study, I now see songwriting as a craft I crave to master. I’ve realized it’s more than just music—it’s a support system, a way to collaborate, and a lifestyle I genuinely love.

RA - What role does vulnerability play in your process? Do you find it necessary to lean into personal moments to find a song’s heart, or do you prefer some distance from the subject?

DL - Vulnerability has always played a role in my songwriting process. When I was younger and just starting out, I leaned on it heavily as I was a very anxious and depressed kid. Songwriting became a way for me to cope with those feelings and turn them into something meaningful and beautiful.

As I’ve grown, I still value that honesty and do write about more personal or sensitive topics, but not as exclusively as before. I’ve started to enjoy creating some distance as well, whether that’s writing from different perspectives or approaching songs more as storytelling. That balance has helped me grow creatively while still staying connected to the emotional core that drew me to songwriting in the first place.

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RA - Is there a recent song or lyric that defines your sound? Tell us about the moment that specific idea came to life.

DL - My latest single, “Summer,” defines my sound by focusing on hope and the choice to see the good, even during heavier moments. Having dealt with depression for much of my life, I’ve used songwriting to process those feelings, but this track is about not staying stuck. It’s about appreciating small, beautiful shifts, like the changing seasons.

The song was born from seasonal depression and the realization of how much environment affects mood. Simple things like sunlight and beach days can completely shift my perspective.

The lyric “living every day just to get to you” reflects that honesty. It captures the reality of pushing through difficult days with the belief that brighter ones are ahead. That balance between rawness and hope is exactly what defines my music right now.

RA - Which artists currently fuel your inspiration, and who would be your dream collaboration for a future project?

DL - Some of the artists that currently fuel my inspiration are The Beatles, Billie Eilish, TV Girl, Olivia Dean, Clairo, Phoebe Bridgers, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and Role Model, and many more. I find myself inspired by how each of them approaches storytelling and emotion in such unique ways, whether it’s through lyrics, production, or overall mood.

For a dream collaboration, I would love to work with Rex Orange County. He was a really big inspiration for me early on in my songwriting journey, especially because I connected deeply with his lyrics around mental health. He’s still one of my favourite artists of all time, and I think it would be such a fun and meaningful collaboration. Our sounds feel quite compatible, and I know that our voices would complement each other really well.

RA - With your first gig completed, what core message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from your music

DL - I want listeners to see that songs don’t have to fit into typical themes like love or heartbreak. They can come from everyday emotions and small moments in life that are just as relevant and interesting. My goal with my music is to create art that people can relate to, even through the smaller, often overlooked parts of life.

One of my teachers, Blair Packham, said that most of the time as artists, we make music to connect with people, and I really agree with that. I want my music to bring people together, create a sense of community, and encourage a fun and positive space where people can appreciate life and each other.

When I performed my first real gig, the support from my family and friends was unreal, and I experienced that sense of belonging in such a powerful way. That feeling was completely different and will be stuck with me forever. It made me want to create that same feeling for others through my music. Whether that’s through socializing, spreading kindness, or simply being present, I want my songs to reflect that.

Overall, I want people to feel hope and positivity when they listen, because there is already so much negativity in the world, and I want my music to be something that reminds people of the good that’s still there.

Daphne Lane is a powerful testament to the growth that happens when talent meets persistence. Her evolution from those early open mic sessions to commanding her own stage is a massive milestone that highlights just how far she has come as a storyteller. She isn't just a student of music anymore, she is a voice to be reckoned with. Keep a close eye on her journey and follow her next moves on Instagram.

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Artist Glimpse: Daphne Lane

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