Sometimes the most profound musical innovations emerge from the spaces between genres. Just ask Domina Planet, a 26-year-old independent artist with electric-blue hair and an infectious laugh, whose unconventional sound is reshaping Los Angeles’s Silver Lake music scene. By seamlessly blending pop sensibilities with synthwave innovation, her latest single “Neon Dreams” hit a sweet spot with listeners, accumulating over 500,000 streams since its December 2024 release – no small feat for an independent artist.
In her cozy home studio, surrounded by vintage synthesizers and well-worn music gear, Planet’s approach to music production reflects a deliberate departure from conventional genre constraints. Despite turning heads at major labels (industry whispers suggest at least three serious offers), she maintains creative control over her artistic direction with an almost fierce determination. This independence has allowed her to develop a sound that feels both intimately familiar and refreshingly unexpected.
“People always want to put you in a box,” Domina Planet reflects, running her fingers along the keys of a worn Roland Jupiter-8. “But music isn’t meant to have walls. Sometimes the magic happens when you let genres collide and see what emerges from the chaos.” This flexibility has become something of a signature, attracting attention from both mainstream audiences and underground music enthusiasts who appreciate her genre-defying approach.
Industry veteran Isaac Smith, who’s produced for some of pop music’s biggest names, lights up when discussing Planet’s creative process. “I’ve seen thousands of artists come through these doors,” Smith says, gesturing around his Sunset Strip studio. “But Domina? She’s got this rare ability to make experimental music feel accessible. She’ll take these complex electronic arrangements and somehow turn them into something you can’t get out of your head.”
Between studio sessions and songwriting, Planet maintains an active presence in Los Angeles’s fashion industry as a professional model. Her work with Elite Models LA has created unexpected synergies between music and fashion, often resulting in performances at high-profile fashion events. “There’s this beautiful synergy between the two worlds,” she reflects, her eyes lighting up. “When I’m in front of the camera, I’m telling a story through movement and expression. When I’m in the studio, I’m painting with sound. They’re different languages describing the same emotions.”
Beyond her sonic innovations, Planet’s creative vision extends into revolutionary territory. She’s crafted groundbreaking virtual performances that create an unexpectedly personal connection with viewers, while developing social platforms that transform fans from passive listeners into active participants. Drawing from her roots in digital artistry, she infuses her visual work with a distinctive style – producing hypnotic music videos that transport viewers to a dreamlike dimension where past and future collide.
Her growing fanbase – the self-dubbed “Planetarians” – has turned recent shows at The Vapor Room and The Standard into instant sellouts. This grassroots support has validated her decision to remain independent, even as the traditional music industry model evolves. “The technology we have now, it’s kind of mind-blowing,” she muses, gesturing to her compact but carefully curated home studio setup. “I can produce entire tracks, connect with fans worldwide, and maintain complete creative control – all from this room. That kind of freedom? It’s worth more than any record deal.”
Jennifer Deacon, a prominent music industry analyst and former label executive, sees Planet’s rise as indicative of a broader shift in the industry. “What fascinates me about Domina’s trajectory,” Deacon explains during an interview at her Beverly Hills office, “is how she’s essentially created her own ecosystem. She’s proof that in 2025, you don’t need a major label’s machinery to build a devoted following. The old gatekeepers are becoming increasingly irrelevant.”
Looking ahead, Domina Planet is preparing to release what might be her most revealing work yet – an EP slated for spring 2025. “This EP…” Planet trails off, her fingers tracing patterns on her studio desk. “It’s different from anything I’ve done before. Each track is like a photograph of a specific moment – some beautiful, some painful, all real. I wrote one song during a power outage, just me and an acoustic guitar, trying to capture this feeling of being completely alone in a city of millions. Another came to me during sunrise after an all-night studio session. They’re all pieces of my story, but I think they speak to something universal.”
As streaming numbers climb and venue capacities expand, Planet remains surprisingly grounded. “Listen,” she says, leaning back in her studio chair as the late afternoon sun streams through the window, “streams and sold-out shows are amazing, don’t get me wrong. But what really keeps me up at night is this burning need to create something that hasn’t been heard before. Something that makes people feel seen, you know? That’s the real measure of success for me.”
Musical revolution rarely announces itself with fanfare. Instead, it seeps through the cracks of convention, carried forward by artists who dare to question the established order. As Planet prepares for her spring EP release and continues to blur the lines between genres, she’s doing more than building a career – she’s helping rewrite the rules of what it means to be an artist in the digital age. In an industry often fixated on formulas, her story serves as a reminder that sometimes the most powerful sounds emerge from those willing to forge their own path.
For tour dates and new releases, follow Domina Planet on Instagram and Twitter.
