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What was your favourite part of being part of ELEVATE?

Dani: I think it was getting to share the stage with such an eclectic array of artists. It’s not every day that, like, you have a bill, like, hip hop and then indie rock and then pop, so, yeah, I think that was my favourite part.

What advice would you give to artists thinking about applying or competing next year?

Dani: I think song choice and like picking your strongest work to display. I think that, like, pick the songs that you know resonate best. and go with your gut. Ohh going off that, if you could give yourself one piece of advice before going into all this, like, what would you tell yourself, if anything? Ooh, like if I could go back in time? Eat before going on stage. Not right before. But I think it was like the, it’s either the preliminary or the semi? No, it was the preliminary rounds. I forgot to eat all day. And I almost passed out on stage. So eat food. Yeah. So eat food before performing. 

Your song “Man Like You” was a smash hit at the ELEVATE project. How did you decide what songs to include in your setlist for prelims and finals?

Dani: Well, I was thinking about the energy and impression that I wanted to leave. And I’m very, very, very critical of myself and my songwriting, and so I know what songs people generally enjoy most, what songs people really like the most in the live setting. And so I kind of took all of the feedback I’ve gotten from past performances and tried to curate, kind of, like, a mini show within itself, because it’s like not that long. It was like 25 minutes. Yeah. That’s kind of how I went about it, is like what, what, do I want people to feel by the end of the show?

Your EP Against My Better Judgement comes out March 20th, sonically, what can listeners expect from this EP?

Dani: So I call it like, uh, wait, what is it? Alternative folk pop? What I love about this EP is that we really took inspiration from everything that I have been listening to. So there’s like, artists that sound nothing like me, that we’ve taken elements from, which is the best of both worlds. Exactly, exactly. But alternative folk pop, I think, is where we’ve decided that it fits. Yeah. We were reading your interview with Georgia Straight. And I was like, that is such a good list of artists. Thank you. I forgot to mention 2 Hollis, but I also am obsessed with 2 Hollis, and I was sad that he didn’t get a mention. We’ll try and add it in this one. Shout out 2Hollis. Yeah, shout out 2Hollis.

Is there a particular track you’re most excited for people to hear, and why?

Dani: Well, it already came out, but it’s on the EP. It’s a song called “Don’t Let me Down.” And I think that song, sonically, just really encapsulates the direction that I want to go in and it feels very much like ‘this is what I sound like in a studio context.’ So “Don’t Let Me Down.” 

And you have a song coming out this Friday! I do, yeah! It’s a really fun song. It was like, really difficult to make. We went through like 20 different versions of it, just like starting from scratch. But by the end, it’s like this anthemic pop song and it’s really fun. I really like it. And it’s whimsical. We need more whimsical music. Right, right? People take music too seriously sometimes. lyrically. Myself included.

How do you define your sound right now?

Dani: Alternative. Like, Taylor Swift, if she was slightly alt, is kind of how I imagine. 

Has your songwriting always followed any patterns, or do you find yourself in a more experimental place than your early years as an artist?

Dani: I think I still definitely write from a very structured narrative driven, you know, what’s the story? Who am I talking to? What’s, what world? I still write from that place. But because I’ve been branching out in my own time of, like, songs that I listen to, I have been trying to diversify, and let go of, you know, that very classic structured song. Yeah, it’s definitely like an intentional thing that I’ve been working on. 

If you could open for any artist, who would it be?

Dani: I mean, I have always been a Taylor Swift fan, so I have to say Taylor Swift., Yeah. Sorry. I would say Taylor Swift.

What does this next phase of your career look like?

Dani: I want to, I mean, take it as far as I can, perform for as many people as possible, and connect with as many people as possible. Like, that’s kind of always like, the goal is having that in-depth relationship with, like, sonically, musically with as many people as possible. I mean, I love performing. I write so prolifically. And I’ve been recording a lot. So it’s a lot of writing, recording, releasing, and then hopefully that kind of transcends into, opening for the larger acts. And what’s your favourite part of that process? I love it all for different reasons. I mean, I love a good vocal day because that’s my, you know, my heart is in singing. But I think there’s something so special about sitting alone at like 2 in the morning in my room, writing with my guitar. 

If your music were a movie genre, what would it be?

Dani: I would say coming of age indie film. Like, what is it, A24? Is that that? Yeah. Yeah, we use that a lot when we’re listening back in the studio to, like, not look at the DAW. We’ll play that for aesthetics. Yeah, I feel like A24 has become its own genre. Definitely. It’s so cool if you look at their compilations.

What’s something people might not know about you as an artist?

Dani: Hmm. Um… Oh no, I should have an answer for this. No, take your time. It can be, like, anything, like it could be a fun fact. Oh, 95% of the time, I have a hot wheel and a tech deck on me. Love that. Yeah. What colour hot wheel? I’ll show you. Oh my god. It’s like this one’s orange and green. Funky, right? Divine look at this. I forgot about those. I know. Trying to get weirdly good at it. I’m not. Like, that’s such a cool skill to whip out. Right? Like, imagine you at a party and then, you’re having a conversation and someone just comes up and just, does this crazy trick? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that’s the dream.

What keeps you motivated during the slower or more challenging periods?

Dani: Writing. Yeah. I use writing as an escape from life most of the time.

Where do you get your fashion inspiration from? 

Dani: So this is crazy because, like, I don’t think of myself as a fashionable person. But, um, Pinterest, Pinterest mostly, and then, oh, what’s her name? She’s so cool. Ella Langley. My Pinterest is a lot of Ella Langley. Yeah. She’s really cool. And Suki Waterhouse. She’s so cool. Holy smokes. I was, I feel like you’ve built, like, kind of a brand with that with the fur jacket throughout elevate. Thank you. Yeah, I’ve been trying. So I appreciate that you guys have noticed that. 

I want to shout out the band that I played with at the finals. That, like, 90% of that is not my normal band. So I want to say Omo. Alvin and Elias, the keys, bass, and guitarist, had 2 weeks to learn that entire set. Yeah, no, they’re incredible. I am so, like, blessed to work with them. So shout out to them. And obviously my normal band, you know, blondes and all of them. They’re incredible too. Specifically, those 3 gentlemen, they like came through. Yeah, you know, you, that was a great performance. Thank you so much. Thank you. It’s all of them. They’re so cool. 

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