By: Karen Steinberg
Photo Courtesy of Eric Alper Public Relations
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) That’s always the hardest thing for me to describe, mostly because I love to experiment across different genres, but I tend to stick to very vocal-focused, emotional pop ballads, bluesy songs and dance music the most. All of my songs feature piano as the main instrument behind my voice and many songs feature a saxophone or horn section and strings. I am often compared to acts like Adele, Sade and Alicia Keys, while vocally being likened to Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse and Toni Braxton.
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) I have been influenced by everything from bands like Chicago to contemporary new age artist Yanni to Roberta Flack and Sade…In my early years I listened to a lot of R&B and pop artists of the early 2000s. I’ve also gotten a lot of influence from blues, classical, jazz, gospel, reggae, hip-hop and house music. I’m virtually all over the place! I feel like growing up in the Chicago area really cultivated my love for musical diversity.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Mirage.” I read it was written an hour before it was recorded!
A) I didn’t know what I was going to record the night before my scheduled recording session…I just knew I needed a day in the studio, as “therapy.” I had other projects ready to bring into the studio, but decided to play around with some chords at the last minute and within an hour I had written the entire melody and structure for “Mirage.” I still didn’t have the hook figured out exactly until I went into the vocal booth, so I just kind of just waited to see what would happen there. The initial take ended up sticking and being exactly what I used. There is usually nothing ever quite like the feeling of the very first take.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I feel like “Mirage” is for people who grew up in a world that didn’t make a whole lot of sense, with so much rapid technological change, extreme political division and worldwide events that cause us to wonder if life is basically some kind of simulation — it’s easy to feel “stuck” in the grind. How do we “reset” and just focus on what’s important again? “Breathe in….. breathe out…”
Q) The video for “Mirage” is beautifully animated. How does it play into the message behind it?
A) I wanted the video to be a visual journey of escaping to a quieter place and finding some fresh air to revive your flow….I love how it gives kind of an easy, uncomplicated vibe of simply remembering to free your mind, brain and soul from whatever’s trying to keep you stuck in stress, drama or pressure so you can fly away for a minute and find new perspectives. The cartoon animation allows you to kind of draw yourself into the song.
Q) What is your songwriting process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) I always write down lyrics whenever good phrases or lines come to me, but usually a chorus, hook or verse comes to me with the melody and lyrics together at the same time, almost effortlessly. There’s nothing like stumbling on a great chord progression that really strikes a certain feeling or memory to make it all come together, so my go-to activity is just sitting at the piano and freely improvising a little bit. Whenever something really clicks, I have to run to go find my iPad and quickly “catch” it, like it’s a butterfly that’s just flying around near my head, visiting me…If I don’t record it right in that moment, it flies away.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) I have been the producer for all of my recorded work so far. I worked with my favorite recording engineer, Mason Pace, in South Florida on my most recent album, Breakthrough, as well as my most recent single, “Mirage.” My first album, Brand New Day, was self-recorded in Northern California and co-produced with former Motown producer, Greg Crockett. I have recorded most of my covers and some other single releases at home, (the “bedroom recordings”), and produced, mixed, and mastered those entirely myself. My setup is small and very simple.
Q) With “Mirage” out now, is this a prelude to a full EP or album?
A) I have started writing several more songs with a similar style to “Mirage” and have been gathering other demos from my past to begin working on an idea for the next album or EP. This project will feature elements of jazz, pop and contemporary instrumental, with EDM/house/dance beats.
Q) What can fans expect from a live Tricia Danieli performance?
A) I am not a choreographed performer, so you are going to get a performance that will never be duplicated quite exactly the same again! I prefer the more raw, improvisational style of performing that allows an artist to musically “think on their feet” a bit, with some space to “bend” parts of a song – however it feels right in the moment, rather than having every single note and gesture rehearsed, calculated and premeditated. Right now my production is small and usually a solo act, but it can also be fun to find musical chemistry with others who bring out another level of connection, too. I love to change from my piano to just standing at the mic singing to singing while playing the keytar to also wailing on the drums. To me, having other musicians onstage who can also switch between instruments is a big plus, as well. Those are always the most FUN shows…
Q) What songs off your EP are you looking forward to performing live?
A) One of the most fun songs to perform from my new album Breakthrough is “Tequila on the Rocks”…. It’s a fun party song about drinking too much tequila and it includes a dance breakdown toward the end. So far whenever I’ve performed that song live, I’ve been requested to do it again later in the show and it’s fun to see people getting into it! I plan on eventually making a music video featuring a line dance for that song, so people can dance along during the breakdown.
Q) You’ve performed on so many wonderful stages. Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) My favorite moment recently was getting to perform the national anthem at the Miami Marlins LoanDepot Park…I love the energy of sporting events and when music crosses over into other forms of entertainment, the vibe is unmatched! I also really enjoy the islands and singing an acoustic set on the beach, catching that sunset, dinner and cocktails vibe.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) I’d love to work with Labrinth on a song…His artistry is very inspiring! Also, musician/songwriter Moby is incredible and would be amazing to work with. I’d love to collaborate with producer Salaam Remi, who is a master at blending reggae beats with soul, my sweet spot. My lifelong dream is to sing with Yanni, my first inspiration to become a musician and composer when I was only five years old. It would also be really cool to work with a DJ/producer and cut up some of my songs into different versions of electronic, deep house party mixes, with hip hop drops.
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Right now I am really digging Diljit Dosanjh and just absolutely loving all of his work. I love the fusion of sound, and the confidence he exudes in his delivery. I also really can appreciate the worldly sounds of Punjabi culture.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) I’d like to thank them all and keep thanking them again for the rest of time, for allowing me to do what I love and let my music be heard and appreciated! There is truly no greater joy than bringing the music I create to the ears of people who connect with it in some way and I am extremely grateful for all the people my life crosses paths with; for that, I am beyond blessed to be doing this life as a musician.