Daily Inspiration: Meet Danielle James

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle James.

Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always loved music as a kid. From the Disney classics to Somewhere over the Rainbow, to listening to Santana and Prince with my dad. Music was always a part of my soul. I started writing music when I was about 15, but nothing serious. When I was 20, I really started to discover my love for songwriting. With a little psychedelic, a lot of God, and a lot of great music, something was unveiled to me that I couldn’t unsee. I was a songwriter. My songs became stronger… I finally felt like I was writing something that was authentic and totally unique to me, and I began to hear things in music I had never heard before. I was in school studying elementary education, but after discovering music was what I needed to do, I took the leap and decided to do music full-time.

Within a year, I found a producer and put out my first EP. It did well and people responded well to what I created. However, I wasn’t being true to myself. I had no boundaries when it came to my writing or my artistry. So, I took a break. Took the music down. Established a new team. I learned about the music business, and how to protect myself and my art. Now, I have two releases ready, and tons of songs that need to make their way to tangible form. I’m pregnant now, and as I’ve grown through my pregnancy, music and I have lost touch. I want to create a world full of imagination, and songs, and be a girl who chases her dreams- for my baby girl. I’m hoping with these two releases, my music will find out way back to each other, and

I’ll tap into a new level of artistry and musicianship.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. One of my biggest struggles is the one I battle with myself.

I struggle with believing in myself and in my voice, I struggle with trusting myself enough to let the art do its thing. I know I am capable, and I know if I try great things will happen… but there’s a voice in my head that says it’s not enough. Not good enough. Overcoming this voice will be the battle of my life, but every day I get closer to overcoming it.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer, but more importantly, a songwriter. I produce, play guitar, and I create the world my songs live in. I specialize in pop music, but something I think I’m pretty good at is genre blending. My first two releases are more pop-focused, with a little bit of RNB. One of my stronger suits with my unreleased music is blending pop, country, and RNB. I’m really proud of the genre-blending, as it’s something I’ve tried to achieve for a while. But, I’m most proud of my ability to know what I want when it comes to the sound of my music.

The sound I create, I believe, is really unique, and I’m pretty uncompromising when it comes to the fact that I have to be involved in the creation of the entire song. The bones of the song have to be mine, or I lack a connection to it. Lyricism is also very important to me, and I believe I hold myself to a standard of truth and integrity when it comes to what I sing about. It hasn’t been an easy road to get there, but I know my standards with my music are ones that will get me far.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I loved music and theater. I could always be found singing, dancing, and creating in my room. I did theater from the age of 9, and that was another deep love of mine. I loved acting. I loved dancing. I loved storytelling.

I also always loved reading and writing. I picked up the guitar when I was like 13. I never really took it too seriously though, but as I got older I fell in love with it. I was always a shy kid, and that channeled into my adulthood. I’ve always wanted to help others, and I’ve always loved kids. I think it was the imagination they are able to carry that I could relate to.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @itsdaniellejames
• Youtube: @itsdaniellejames
• SoundCloud: @itsdaniellejames

Image Credits
Lynette Ortiz