by Danielle Holian
For our readers, please describe your musical background.
Growing up in a small town with nothing to do, music naturally became a huge player in my upbringing. It all started with piano, going to weekly lessons with my little brother & singing gospel music in church. Once I hit high school, I discovered the art of improvisation in jazz band, learning how to solo makeup up melodies on the fly was what really sparked the songwriting bug. Simultaneously, I picked up the guitar & got hooked on more alternative sounding records from Radiohead, Travis, Oasis, Beck, amongst a million others. Being influenced by a lot of the early 2000’s alt bands and 90’s act was what started the chain reaction of my “garage band” phase. My first shows we’re in roller-rinks, and coffee shop parking lots, these early experiences in my childhood were the foundation of my musical DNA.
Who or what are your influences?
Everything from great songs like Radiohead’s “High & Dry”, Beach Boys “God Only Knows”, to John Legends “Ordinary People”, Gnarls Barkley “Crazy”.. to amazing singers and performers like Amy Winehouse, Jeff Buckley, Miles Davis & Chris Martin.
What have you learned since your debut EP Colors in 2013? And how have you grown as an artist?
That producing and writing great songs is a lot harder than I ever thought.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Continue putting out music I’m proud of and working with other talented artists on their projects and be touring the world with my friends.
Where can people view your music?
Spotify’s my flavor of choice.
How has your music evolved since you began playing?
Technology and modern recording has greatly influenced the type of music I make and what I’m capable of now, there’s no boundaries, and it’s no longer limited to only a few instruments, but wherever my mind can take it…
What has been a highlight in your career so far?
One would be performing at Ultra Festival with Fedde Le Grand last year in front of 55,000 people, that was a game changer.
And do you have any encouragement for aspiring musicians?
Don’t stop writing. Good songs open doors, write the music you want to listen too, and other people will want to listen too.
Written by Danielle Holian (Instagram, Twitter, Linkedin, Facebook)
The ModernRetro Magazine 