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"Dunja World - Girl Who Wrote Her Songs In A Bomb Shelter. Wow!"

Image: Dunja World

I first met Dunja at CT Public TV while working on a set. She struck me as friendly and kind, but there was an air of mystery about her. She’s quiet, with an enigmatic presence that has left more than a few people in the industry wondering, "Where did this woman come from? How did she get this far? Who’s behind her success?"

Dunja World is a woman who began writing songs in a bomb shelter and overcame unimaginable obstacles to become one of the most respected figures in the music publishing world.

If you ever get the chance to talk to Dunja, you’ll find yourself in conversation with one of the most fascinating people you’ll ever meet. She has this quirky, knowing look that seems to say, "I know a lot, but I’m not telling..." Trying to get her to open up is like digging for treasure—it’s not easy, but it’s worth the effort.

Those who work closely with Dunja describe her as a true professional, with a meticulous attention to detail that reflects her deep passion and commitment. Yet, despite her deep connections in the industry, she chooses to surround herself with people who are grounded and authentic. In a world where everyone is trying to get ahead, Dunja seeks out the opposite. She’s connected to some of Hollywood’s biggest names, but you won’t find her at every glitzy party. In fact, she rarely attends the ones she’s invited to.

Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary recently shared his thoughts on Dunja’s voice, calling it "The most moving, wonderful, heartbreakingly beautiful voice." He added, "I loved it when I heard it, and I had no idea who this might be. But this is a great soul as well as a great voice, and it’s so beautiful." And this was before he even saw her in person.

Dunja is a striking woman with a strong presence—someone who commands attention the moment she walks into a room. But what truly inspires me is her perseverance in the music business. She’s not just releasing songs; she’s releasing songs that span different genres, reflecting both her inner strength and contemplation.

Dunja doesn’t believe in putting a song in a box. She’s releasing an EP that showcases her versatility, with both original versions and pop adaptations. "Why should one song be confined to one genre?" she says. "I can write a song and release it in many different styles. After all, I wrote them—they’re my ‘children.’" While she acknowledges the need to sometimes produce songs in a more pop-oriented style, she is steadfast in her commitment to staying true to herself and her roots.

Her latest project, an EP of six songs, was a collaboration with Grammy-winning producer Ben Wisch, known for his work on Marc Cohn’s "Walking in Memphis." I think Dunja and Ben made a great team with no pressure to rush the project. She said that Ben is someone who insists on authenticity, and working with him means getting real with yourself before even stepping into the studio.

The EP that is just about to be released features some truly talented musicians. Besides Dunja writing all her songs, playing piano, electric piano, and doing vocals, we will hear Marc Shulman on acoustic and electric guitars, Joe Bonadio on percussion, Jerry Marotta on drums, Zev Katz on bass guitar and many more....

Dunja also transformed some of these songs into pop versions to reach a broader, younger audience. One of these tracks, "Fearless," is one of the catchiest songs I’ve heard in a long time. Which is one of the main reasons why I am writing this article. Part of the music video was filmed at Connecticut Public TV, and it’s set to be released at the end of September. It's an uplifting song of overcoming and it's easily going to be a new hit song! It's also already getting attention from the movie licensing world. 

I will be watching out for her music releases closely...

Image: Dunja World on “Fearless” set.

References:

Dunja World YouTube Channel

Spotify