“Danielle possesses a down to earth approach in her music in showcasing her incredible vocals live that make us feel like we are catching up with an old friend” – auspOp

“Danielle’s sound is a bridge across cultural boundaries. She touches universal themes with a voice that’s at once instantly familiar and yet uncommonly unique. A treat for the ears and the soul, her music needs to be heard!” – Andrew Synowiec, Grammy-winning session guitarist

ABOUT DANIELLE

Hailing from the endless suburbia of southern New Jersey – now based in Sydney – American singer/songwriter Danielle Deckard’s uniquely catchy indie-pop has been wowing crowds across Australia.

Danielle is a multi-instrumentalist and a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music. A prolific recording artist, over the last two years she has released two EPs and two singles. Her music videos have generated hundreds of thousands of views online.

In performance, Danielle surrounds herself with like-minded musicians. Her high-energy live set is defined by dynamic and colourful arrangements, instrument-swapping, and Danielle’s own brand of quirky humour.

In 2017 Danielle will release her debut album, with plans to tour Australia and New Zealand.

TRACK LISTING

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

Dancing In The Dark

When The Stars Go Blue

ABOUT

“This Is How I Dance” is Danielle Deckard’s third EP since 2015, and her first studio recording of cover songs. It is an exciting exploration of fresh sounds and colours, and completely recorded in Danielle’s apartment. Three songs from different artists and eras – Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, and Ryan Adams – are united by the central theme of dance. However, this EP is no mere four-to-the-floor club banger, rather it is a melancholic, raw, but ultimately hopeful clutch of pop songs.

The lead single, Danielle’s cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)” transforms the camp 1980s mega-hit into a groovy indie-pop remix. Whitney’s outrageous vocals are dialled back and those wild 80s synth stabs are traded in for a mellow electric piano and distant vocoder. There are, however, echoes of the original – the iconic 808 drum machine remains, albeit subdued, along with a nostalgic house piano.

The music video for “Dance With Somebody” was directed by Jefferton James and shot entirely on Danielle’s apartment rooftop. It pairs Danielle with the dynamic choreography of Vanessa Marian, founder of the community-driven Australian dance school Groove Therapy. Vanessa’s unique style, influenced by such eclectic genres as hip-hop, afrobeat, and Bharatanatyam (a form of classical Indian dance) is the perfect visual expression of this song’s celebration of love and movement.

Taking a turn completely from the upbeat Houston cover, Danielle’s version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In The Dark” takes the driving stadium rock of the original plunging into the depths of lo-fi acoustica (almost as though the track was a cut from Nebraska, and not Born In The USA). Danielle’s vocal and guitar are heard unedited – a complete, perfect take from top to bottom, subtly augmented with synthesisers and backing vocals.

Ryan Adam’s cult hit “When The Stars Go Blue” brings the EP to a close. Thematically linked both in melancholy and lyric (the first line is “dancing where the stars go blue”) this track introduces even more novel timbres to Danielle’s already broad musical palette. A honky-tonk piano lays down the tune’s chord progression – to be joined by a triumphant Polysix synth arpeggio, CR-78 and Korg Volca drum machines, Vox organ, and a vintage 1970s Microkorg synthesiser. The track concludes with the structured chaos of a Danielle choir layering three of the song’s hooks – another personal best in musical complexity.

MUSIC CREDITS

Danielle Deckard (lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards)

Paul Dougherty (electric bass, keyboards, synths, programming)

Samuel Marks (synths, percussion)

Mixed by Ben Wood Mastered by John McCaig