ArtistDirect News
UCLA Alumnus Dina Dove Blends DIY Grunge with Pop Rock, Eyes Hollywood Independent Music Awards Nomination
Columbus, Ohio’s own Dina Dove is turning DIY grunge into glitter‑pop gold.
The 2022 graduate of UCLA’s Music History and Industry program has carved a niche in the pop‑rock scene by fusing gritty shoegaze textures with soaring pop hooks, all wrapped in a glitter‑laden aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and fiercely modern. Her creative vision earned her a 2026 nomination for the Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA), a platform that showcases independent artists on a global stage.
Dove’s music and visuals are inseparable. Videographer Garrison Morev, who has collaborated closely with her, calls her a “DIY queen.” He builds every prop and costume—from a safety‑pin dress to a disco‑tiled table—then applies his signature starry filter to give each frame a glittery sheen. The duo shot the video for “Cotard’s Delusion” inside a U‑Haul truck at 3 a.m., using a rain rig and a prop warehouse. In roughly an hour, the shoot captured Dove sprinting through the space, surrounded by props that underscore her hands‑on creative control.
Producer Skye Abrams notes that Dove consistently pushes genre boundaries. She blends pop hooks with shoegaze textures, dungeon synth atmospheres, and hyper‑pop energy, creating songs that feel fresh in multiple listening contexts. Dove says she enjoys experimenting with her voice and writing from different perspectives—a practice that began in high school when she took vocal lessons and classical training before pivoting to industry studies.
During her time at UCLA, Dove was among the first students to complete the full Music History and Industry curriculum. She also undertook an independent study project that grew a TikTok account from zero to about 17,000 followers. The account featured covers, singing challenges, and lyric rewrites, and it helped her build an online presence during the pandemic‑era shift to remote learning.
Her musical influences are eclectic. She cites early inspirations such as The Clash and the Barbie film series, while Taylor Swift’s use of metaphor informs her songwriting. Dove says she grew up listening to a wide range of music, from screamo to pop, and that this diversity informs her genre‑blending style.
Beyond her current releases, Dove is working on an EP titled “Dopamine Whiplash,” which she describes as exploring the highs and lows of life as reflected on phone screens versus offline experiences. She also aims to perform at Lollapalooza, hoping to create a dance‑filled, empowering atmosphere for audiences.
The 2026 HIMA nomination places Dove among a roster of independent artists who have been recognized for original music across visual media. The awards, founded in 2023, provide a platform for emerging talent and have honored notable names such as Billie Eilish and Hans Zimmer.
Dove’s career trajectory—from a UCLA music student to a DIY‑driven pop‑rock artist—illustrates how independent musicians can leverage hands‑on production, social media growth, and genre experimentation to gain industry recognition. Her upcoming EP and potential festival appearances signal continued momentum in a competitive music landscape.
The current status: Dove remains active in songwriting and video production, with “Dopamine Whiplash” slated for release later in 2026. Her HIMA nomination is confirmed, and she continues to build her fanbase through live performances and online content.
The 2022 graduate of UCLA’s Music History and Industry program has carved a niche in the pop‑rock scene by fusing gritty shoegaze textures with soaring pop hooks, all wrapped in a glitter‑laden aesthetic that feels both nostalgic and fiercely modern. Her creative vision earned her a 2026 nomination for the Hollywood Independent Music Awards (HIMA), a platform that showcases independent artists on a global stage.
Dove’s music and visuals are inseparable. Videographer Garrison Morev, who has collaborated closely with her, calls her a “DIY queen.” He builds every prop and costume—from a safety‑pin dress to a disco‑tiled table—then applies his signature starry filter to give each frame a glittery sheen. The duo shot the video for “Cotard’s Delusion” inside a U‑Haul truck at 3 a.m., using a rain rig and a prop warehouse. In roughly an hour, the shoot captured Dove sprinting through the space, surrounded by props that underscore her hands‑on creative control.
Producer Skye Abrams notes that Dove consistently pushes genre boundaries. She blends pop hooks with shoegaze textures, dungeon synth atmospheres, and hyper‑pop energy, creating songs that feel fresh in multiple listening contexts. Dove says she enjoys experimenting with her voice and writing from different perspectives—a practice that began in high school when she took vocal lessons and classical training before pivoting to industry studies.
During her time at UCLA, Dove was among the first students to complete the full Music History and Industry curriculum. She also undertook an independent study project that grew a TikTok account from zero to about 17,000 followers. The account featured covers, singing challenges, and lyric rewrites, and it helped her build an online presence during the pandemic‑era shift to remote learning.
Her musical influences are eclectic. She cites early inspirations such as The Clash and the Barbie film series, while Taylor Swift’s use of metaphor informs her songwriting. Dove says she grew up listening to a wide range of music, from screamo to pop, and that this diversity informs her genre‑blending style.
Beyond her current releases, Dove is working on an EP titled “Dopamine Whiplash,” which she describes as exploring the highs and lows of life as reflected on phone screens versus offline experiences. She also aims to perform at Lollapalooza, hoping to create a dance‑filled, empowering atmosphere for audiences.
The 2026 HIMA nomination places Dove among a roster of independent artists who have been recognized for original music across visual media. The awards, founded in 2023, provide a platform for emerging talent and have honored notable names such as Billie Eilish and Hans Zimmer.
Dove’s career trajectory—from a UCLA music student to a DIY‑driven pop‑rock artist—illustrates how independent musicians can leverage hands‑on production, social media growth, and genre experimentation to gain industry recognition. Her upcoming EP and potential festival appearances signal continued momentum in a competitive music landscape.
The current status: Dove remains active in songwriting and video production, with “Dopamine Whiplash” slated for release later in 2026. Her HIMA nomination is confirmed, and she continues to build her fanbase through live performances and online content.