ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Danniella Dee
Danniella Dee, a Coventry-based artist, shares her journey and influences in an artist spotlight by The Pit London. Raised in a city with a strong musical legacy, her debut EP 'Reflections' fuses soul, R&B, hip-hop, and choral elements. Danniella aims to connect with diverse audiences and create music that stands the test of time.
Can you tell us about your journey as an artist and how your upbringing in Coventry influenced your musical style and approach?
Coventry has a strong musical legacy. The iconic 2-Tone music movement started in this city, so growing up here gave me a deep appreciation of the power in defying genre & cultural boundaries to create timeless, influential music. I grew up with my dad playing records in the house every day... Mostly reggae. He toured DJ'ing with The Specials throughout his life, so I was always the kid-roadie at gigs. I was also classically training in Coventry Cathedral choir at the same time, so my childhood & teenage years were a juxtaposition of stringent tradition & exhilarating rebellion. These two worlds collided in 2019, when the local band I sang & played keys in at the time supported The Specials in Coventry Cathedral Ruins - the same place I spent many years singing as a young chorister. It was a beautiful, full-circle moment for me.
Your debut EP, 'Reflections,' showcases a unique blend of soul, R&B, hip hop, and choral influences. How did you go about seamlessly fusing these different genres to create a sound that defies expectations?
I wanted there to be something for everyone to resonate with on this project. I think being able to showcase versatility - especially at the stage I'm at - is important if you want your work to stand the test of time. I'm inspired by a lot of music styles, and enjoy picking out my favourite little elements from each, then merging them into something uniquely me. It brings me the most joy when people pick up on the subtle details & references that I put into songs. Because when it comes down to it... That's what an artist does - extend the life and work of their inspirations, through their own interpretation.
Could you walk us through the themes and inspirations behind each track on 'Reflections'? How did you manage to maintain a cohesive thread throughout the diverse range of styles and sounds?
The EP is a selection of songs I've produced and written over the years - all under pretty different circumstances/points in life. When I was shortlisting the project tracklist, I tried to be as diverse as possible thematically.
The title track was inspired a poem I wrote in school when I was 11, about a girl looking back at herself in the mirror and realising that her reflection was living an alternate life. In that observation, she learnt a lot about herself and what she truly wanted. For me, Stutter encapsulates the sights, sounds smells & captivating feelings of a new love. It's light on the ears, but heavy on the heart. Let me was inspired by a choral piece I used to love singing, called O Sacrum Convivium. Translated from Latin, means ‘sacred banquet’. I wrote about the meeting of two people who’ve been apart for a long time, but their lives are inextricably intertwined by something special. We never know when that last time will be with any of the special people in our lives. So essentially, it's a message to live presently & with gratitude. Woman is a celebration of womanhood in all its beauty, strength & versatility. We are creators, nurturers, innovators…and we do it all in the most magical ways. On Transition, I talk about how realising your true purpose is not easy...but with divine guidance, you'll become what you were always meant to be.
Despite their differences, all the songs are laced with an ethereal, dreamy quality which ties them together exactly how I wanted.
Drawing inspiration from your hometown, Coventry, known for the iconic 2-tone movement, how do you strive to carve a new chapter in the city's musical history while paying homage to its rich musical heritage?
I see myself as an ambassador for the city. For its size, there's a lot of passionate, talented people... There's a real buzz here at the moment. Being of both black and white heritage, it's almost like I'm a product what Coventry's 2-Tone movement stands for. When I was younger, being mixed was a confusing/challenging experience to navigate at times. But what I've grown to love and appreciate about it is that almost everyone sees a part of themselves in you - which puts you in a unique position. People who have reached out to tell me they resonate with my music have been diverse in age and background so far... Which makes me happy, because it's a sign that the music is universal. Coventry is known as the city of peace and reconciliation. The Specials & 2-Tone brought people from all walks of life closer together. Now I continue the story with my chapter, which is about bringing people closer to their true selves.
You mentioned that your classical training in the Coventry Cathedral choir and your experience as a roadie for your reggae musician father shaped your appreciation for tradition and rebellion. How do these contrasting experiences influence your artistic expression and songwriting?
Life is all about balance. The Cathedral taught me the value of disciplining yourself to make small, consistent efforts towards your goals. Looking back, my routine of being there 3/4 times a week for 10 years growing up really grounded me. No matter your religious beliefs... You just couldn't help but be enchanted by the medieval/Latin choral music. It's hauntingly beautiful. Then, on the other side of life were the gigs with exhilarating energy...Music that pushed boundaries, defied stereotypes, that went places no one had been before. Those were the experiences that lifted me up and excited me. As for what this means for my own expression, I keep my feet firmly on the ground, but head always in the clouds - with the heart in the middle keeping them linked together. All 3 elements are of equal importance in an artist's life and mission. I write music that takes you on a journey through each of them, in a way only I can.
'Reflections' is a contemplative exploration of the people, places, and sounds that have shaped you as an artist. Could you share some specific moments or experiences that inspired the EP and its diverse range of themes?
The first that comes to mind is the passing of Jah Shaka, a Reggae/Dub selector & producer, known as "The King of Soundsystem", earlier this year. I'm a Reggae DJ myself, and his spiritual sessions had a huge influence on my life. So, I decided to lean into the grief I felt and make a song tributing his impact on me. Transition was the result... I felt his spirit there, helping me when I was making it.
Another song that was birthed partly through my love for Reggae music is Reflections. I was visiting friends Hamburg, making reggae/dub tunes in their studio. Then, during one of the sessions... Pensi, a producer, stops us and says "I've got this instrumental demo I'd love to play to you. I made it around 15 years ago. As soon as I heard your voice, I thought you'd be perfect for it. Only problem is, I no longer have the software I made it on, so you can't alter it." He puts it on, and I love it...but I wanted to make a few changes. So, I took it home, chopped & rearranged it, wrote my lyrics then recorded it with live instruments, as the demo was all digitally made. Finished it off with some sparkly extra touches, then I had the song.
What's special here is that the poem I wrote in school 15 years ago, which inspired these lyrics... Was made around the same time Pensi created the demo. Then, I release the single a year to the day since I first heard the demo, which wasn't even planned. To me, these are signs of divine alignment.
Your music has been compared to icons such as Marvin Gaye, The Internet, Miguel, Musiq Soulchild, and Erykah Badu. How do these artists influence your sound, and what aspects do you incorporate into your own unique style?
Think the common denominator here is that all of these artists crafted a distinct, stand-out space of their own... With music that captures the heart and soul, each in a different way. Marvins cinematic arrangements & smooth yet piercing voice, The Internet's feather-light, funky grooves, Erykah Badu's eclectic, goddess energy... are just a few of the elements I love and am inspired by. I often daydream about sitting in a room with them all and playing them my music... Then seeing them light up as they notice parts of themselves in my work.
What do you hope listeners will take away from 'Reflections'? How important is it for you to connect with a diverse audience through your music, and what do you aim to communicate with your art?
My hope is that people will enjoy discovering a reflection of themselves they might have forgotten, or even not seen before. I want to bring people valuable songs to create special memories with, or to help them through difficult times. I put my whole heart into what I do, so when people tell me how my music touched them, I smile... because it means me and that person share the same heart. The more of my heart's people I can find, the better.