IN CONVERSATION WITH D3LTA

Interview by Samo Šajn

D3LTA is a Greek-British alt-rock artist, known for emotional songwriting and a distinctive sound. His music blends classic rock influences with a modern alternative edge. With his debut album Mad About It, he explores themes of identity, isolation, and hope. It is his most personal work to date. We spoke with D3LTA about the album, his creative process, and the journey behind it.

How did the idea for Mad About It first come together, and at what point did you realise it was becoming your debut album?

I don't think I ever sat down and decided I was going to make an album. The songs came first over the last few years. I was writing constantly and trying to understand who I was as an artist. Eventually, I realised that all these songs were connected by similar themes: identity, feeling disconnected, searching for meaning, and trying to find your place in the world.

The moment it became an album was when I stepped back and listened to everything together. It felt less like a collection of songs and more like a snapshot of a particular period of my life. That's when I knew it had to be my debut record.

You wrote this record across London, Athens, and Los Angeles. How did those different places shape the sound or mood of the songs?

Each city brought something different. London has always felt quite intense and fast-moving to me, and a lot of the more restless and reflective moments on the record came from being there, where the weather did play its part. Athens gave me perspective and a sense of freedom. There's a warmth and openness that definitely found its way into some of the songs.

Los Angeles was interesting because you're surrounded by so many creatives. It pushed me to think bigger and be more ambitious with the writing. The album became a combination of all three places and the emotions I associated with each of them.

The album deals a lot with themes like mental health, isolation, and disconnection. Were those things you were actively trying to write about, or did they come out more subconsciously?

It was mostly subconscious. I rarely sit down and decide what a song should be about. Usually I start with a feeling and try to follow it. Looking back, I realised a lot of the songs were exploring loneliness, self-doubt, anxiety, and the challenge of connecting with people in a world that's more connected than ever. Those themes kept appearing naturally because they were things I was thinking about myself.

Was there a particular song on the record that set the tone for everything else that followed?

I think "Mad About It" probably became the emotional centre of the album, although it was the last song written. It captures a lot of what the record is about: obsession, vulnerability, hope, and the tension between darkness and optimism. Once that song existed, it helped me understand the world the album lived in and gave me a reference point for everything else.

You've moved from writing mostly on your own to working with people like Neil Ormandy and John Nathaniel. What was that shift like creatively for you?

At first, it was quite intimidating because songwriting can feel very personal. When you're writing alone, nobody is challenging your ideas. Working with great writers taught me that collaboration isn't about losing your voice but about finding new ways to express it. Neil and John both brought perspectives I wouldn't have found on my own, and they pushed me to be more honest, more direct, and more ambitious with the songs.

Jim Abbiss has worked on some very iconic records. What did he bring into your process, and how did he affect your confidence as an artist?

Jim has this incredible ability to focus on what makes a song special. He never tries to overcomplicate things. He helped strip away anything that wasn't serving the emotion of the track, while also making every instrument sound interesting.

From a confidence perspective, having somebody with his experience believe in the songs was hugely reassuring. When you've spent years working on a record, doubt naturally creeps in. Jim helped me trust my instincts and commit fully to the direction we were taking.

Some of the songs feel quite intimate and personal, while others are more explosive and energetic. Was that contrast something you were conscious of building into the album?

Definitely. Life isn't one emotion and I didn't want the album to be either. The quieter moments allow you to reflect, while the bigger songs let you release something. I wanted the record to feel like an emotional journey rather than staying in one place the whole time. The contrast between those two sides is what makes the album feel human to me.

You've mentioned moments of doubt during the process. What helped you push through that and keep going with the record?

Believing in the bigger reason for making it. There were plenty of moments where I questioned whether the songs were good enough or whether I was on the right path. What kept me going was remembering why I started making music in the first place. I've always wanted to create something that makes people feel understood and inspires them to believe in themselves.

There are strong influences from classic and modern alternative acts in your sound. How do you balance those inspirations with making something that feels like your own identity?

I think every artist starts by being inspired by other people. The trick is not trying to copy them, at least not too directly. For me, it's about taking inspiration from the things I love, whether that's Bowie, Radiohead, Sam Fender, or more modern alternative artists, and filtering it through my own experiences. Nobody else has lived your life, so if you're honest enough in your writing and lean into what makes you unique, your identity naturally comes through.

Now that the album is finished and about to be released, what feeling do you hope people are left with after hearing it all the way through?

More than anything, I hope they feel hopeful.

The album explores some darker emotions and difficult experiences, but I never wanted it to be pessimistic. At its core it's about finding light even when things feel uncertain. If someone finishes the record feeling a little less alone and a little more confident in who they are, then I've achieved what I set out to do.