Indie pop artist Dani Felt has released her latest single, “Gone” now available!
The new track features an indie pop soundscape with heartbreaking lyrics and emotional vocals from Felt. It was written during a time when Felt was going through a personal loss, and the track is colored by that experience.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Dani about the latest release, technology, suriving a pandemic and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and how do You describe your style of music?
I am originally from outside Philadelphia in the suburbs. I lived in NYC for a few years and now reside in Nashville.
How did you get here? As in, what inspired or motivated you to take on this journey through music and the music biz?
It all started when I fell in love with musical theatre and singing when I was two. I then started taking vocal lessons at 10. My parents put me into music camps as a teen and before you know it , I was recording and writing full songs at only 14 years old. I then decided to study the music business. I decided to launch a compilation album to raise money for the Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation. It was that moment I realized I love leadership in the business side and the next summer launched a music blog. The blog grew and so did my relationships with the indie artist music scene. Eventually I cowrote a book featuring some of the interviews to act as a guide for artists. From 2011 to about last year two years ago I was alot more focused on the business side. However, when I moved to Nashville my passion got reignited for being an artist so here I am releasing music again.
How does your latest project compare/contrast with your previous release(s)? Were you setting out to accomplish anything specific, follow a specific theme, or explore different styles of creation?
My latest project Gone has a crazy history. My song I released a few months ago is Unapologetic. That song is an anthem for the nice person who is tired of being taken advantage of. The song before that I released was Queen. Queen is about stepping into your sexual power. This song I am releasing now Gone is about someone leaving. It is totally different and a song I cowrote with Zac Lavender over 3 years ago. This was a completely different time in my life then now and it is interesting that I chose so long to wait to release this. I think this song represents letting go of the past. Part of me just wanted to hold onto this song forever and never let it go. I told myself things like, it is not the right timing. But sometimes we tell ourselves that because of our mindset of trying to be perfect. But since perfect does not exist, it is okay to release things even if it is not perfect timing. This song was a fusion of an old version of a song that was more acoustic electronic and a new version that was completely electronic. It was worked on by many many people and basically is a frankenstein of passion and ideas all in one. Also one thing to note is that this song was worked on with my cowriter Zac who had an acoustic version of it at the time. I walked into his studio, 10 minutes before getting a text that my grandfather had passed away. I could of went home but I decided to channel my emotions that day into the song. Zac just happened to have a draft called Gone so I felt my grandfathers spirit was totally channeled in that collaboration once I started adding my parts on it. This song will forever connect me to my grandfather and just stand for someone leaving or letting go or loss. As far as style, this is more a pop edm song and was a fun experiment to work more in the edm space! Although really it is a fusion of edm and folk and pop. I would say overall this song could be for anyone who has ever lost anyone whether it was from a relationship like a break up or a friendship or something else. My intention is for it to act as a healing modality to help people cope with losing someone.
Name the biggest challenge you faced as a creative during these unprecedented? How did you adapt? How have you kept the creative fires burning during all this?
I think the biggest challenge for me as a creative has been not working with as many people in person to songwrite. I channeled alot of my creativity into developing a tv show because I had so much creativity to use. I have worked with several people alot and wrote a ton of songs with them. Usually I would do writing sessions weekly with different people but for the past year I have definitely focused more on working with a few people and really building strong relationships with them. I spent a ton of time working on songs with my exceptionally talented cowriters and friends, Austin Radar and Dave Dones. They are some of the most talented people I have met!
What was the last song you listened to?
The last song I listened to was Novocain by Fit For Rivals.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? 8-tracks? Cassettes? CDs? MP3s? Streaming platforms?
Streaming platforms for convenience. But Vinyl sounds pretty amazing! I just do not have a player to play it!
Where is the best place to connect with you and follow your journey?
www.instagram.com/danifeltmusic
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Just want to say to anyone who wants to pursue music, do it! Follow your heart and it will lead you on the right path. Never let anyone stop you from following your own dreams. Being an artist is not easy but it is a really fun and challenging journey and if it is something you feel called to try, go for it!
