Music has always been about moments caught between heartbeats. For 26-year-old musician and model Domina Planet, those moments unfold in a sunlit Silver Lake studio, where she sits cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by an impressive array of vintage synthesizers. Her signature electric-blue hair catches the afternoon light as she thoughtfully adjusts the knobs on a well-loved Roland Jupiter-8.
Planet has quietly become one of the most intriguing voices in the city’s underground music scene, crafting a sound that effortlessly bridges the gap between contemporary pop and synthwave genres. Her latest single “Neon Dreams,” released in December 2024, has organically accumulated over 500,000 streams – no small feat for an independent artist.
“Sometimes I’ll wake up at 3 AM with a melody stuck in my head,” Planet says, absentmindedly twirling a guitar pick between her fingers. “The beauty of being independent is that I can jump straight into the studio and capture that moment, whether it fits into a neat genre box or not. Some of my best work has come from those sleep-deprived sessions.”
Seasoned insider Sarah Lansky, who has worked with numerous chart-topping artists, sees something special in Planet’s approach. “There’s this raw authenticity in how she combines seemingly disparate elements,” Lansky explains during a phone call from her Studio City workspace. “One minute she’s channeling early Madonna, the next she’s diving into these complex, almost orchestral synthwave arrangements. It shouldn’t work, but somehow, it just does.”
Beyond her musical endeavors, Domina Planet maintains an active presence in Los Angeles’s fashion industry through her work with Elite Models LA. Recent shows at The Chamber and The Blue Room have seamlessly blended both worlds, with runway elements incorporated into her performances. “Fashion and music aren’t separate universes for me,” Planet reflects, adjusting her vintage leather jacket. “They’re different dialects of the same language.”
Her fanbase, the self-dubbed “Planetarians,” has grown organically through word-of-mouth and social media. Ed Smith, a prominent music industry analyst, notes this grassroots success: “What’s fascinating about Domina’s rise is how authentic it feels. In an era of algorithmic promotion and viral marketing campaigns, she’s built a following through genuine connection and musical innovation.”
Planet’s technological savvy sets her apart in an increasingly crowded indie scene. Her virtual reality concerts, developed in collaboration with local tech startups, offer an intimacy that somehow transcends the digital divide. Her background in graphic design (she studied at ArtCenter College of Design before pivoting to music) influences her visual aesthetic, resulting in music videos that feel like fever dreams from a retro-futuristic universe.
Despite fielding offers from several major labels – industry insiders suggest at least three significant deals have been on the table – Planet remains steadfastly independent. “The traditional system works for some artists, and that’s great,” she says, reaching for her coffee mug emblazoned with vintage synthesizer schematics. “But right now, with the tools and technology we have access to, artists can build their own ecosystems. Why filter your vision through corporate layers when you can connect directly with your audience?”
Her upcoming EP, scheduled for spring 2025, promises to be her most ambitious project yet. “These songs came from really vulnerable places,” Planet reveals, her usual confidence giving way to a moment of reflection. “There’s one track I wrote during a power outage, just me and an acoustic guitar, trying to make sense of a relationship falling apart. Another came together during this incredible sunset at Joshua Tree. Each song is like a time capsule of a specific moment.”
Sarah Lansky, who got an early listen to the EP, is enthusiastic about its potential: “It’s rare to hear something that feels both completely fresh and somehow timeless. Domina has managed to capture that lightning in a bottle.”
As streaming numbers continue to climb and venue sizes grow, Planet maintains a grounded perspective that’s refreshing in LA’s often superficial music scene. “Success is great, don’t get me wrong,” she says, showing me a handwritten journal filled with lyrics and circuit diagrams. “But at the end of the day, if I’m not creating something that feels honest and pushes some boundaries along the way, what’s the point?”
Her trajectory suggests a shifting paradigm in the music industry, where authenticity and creative control increasingly trump traditional metrics of success. As she prepares for her EP release and an ambitious west coast tour, Planet’s approach offers a compelling blueprint for independent artists in the digital age.
As the sun sets outside her studio window, Domnia Planet returns to the vintage Jupiter-8, her fingers finding familiar patterns on its worn keys. The synthesizer hums to life, its warm analog tones filling the room. Perhaps somewhere in that gentle electronic pulse lies the future of independent music – or maybe just another moment caught between heartbeats, waiting to be transformed into song.
Tour dates and new releases can be found through Planet’s Instagram and Twitter profiles.