Danny Severance

Danny is a singer/songwriter/violinist creating an interestingly raw and soulful musical style. His project has a nearly mesmerizing blend of melodies and mixed with original lyrics. Danny is a veteran musician with a performing history in New York City as well as Los Angeles, but he is currently building his touring presence across the US with his most recent EP “The Lost Tape.”  So, We caught up with Danny this past weekend to talk more about his sound and his current EP:    If you had to define your sound, how would you describe it? I would describe it as eclectic but overall, very soulful. My sound is sometimes soul, sometimes blues rock, sometimes future soul, sometimes folk, and I always try to write insightful, poetic lyrics.    How long have you been performing? I’ve been performing as lead singer in one band or another since age 20 when I was a student at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. But I’ve played violin classically since age 5.  How is what you’re doing (this project) different from so many artists popping up today? My lyrics are deeper. And I take my role as an artist seriously. It’s not about fame and attention for me, or not how you would think – it’s about using attention to create connection, community, and emotional reaction and it’s about conveying truth. It’s about making the best music I can because I know I can make great music. It is about me in a way because this is something I need to do to feel like myself but at the same time it’s not at all about me.        Where do you find inspiration for your melodies/songs? For me, inspiration can live anywhere. It’s hard to say what exactly is my go-to. Using meditation and exercise, I create a mental atmosphere for myself where I can process ideas and where ideas spring up from my mind naturally. Travel is big too. Or, I may find myself hearing a song by someone else and then I’ll challenge myself to achieve just one characteristic that I’ve picked up on in that song. Other mediums of art, especially literature and painting, inspire me as well.  What different instruments do you play on your current EP? This Spring and through the Summer and Fall, I’m in the process of releasing a mix of singles that belong to two different projects. I do blues indie rock and I do future soul/neo soul.  I would describe it as eclectic but overall, very soulful. My sound is sometimes soul, sometimes blues rock, sometimes future soul, sometimes folk, and I always try to write insightful, poetic lyrics.    How long have you been performing? I’ve been performing as lead singer in one band or another since age 20 when I was a student at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. But I’ve played violin classically since age 5.  How is what you’re doing (this project) different from so many artists popping up today? My lyrics are deeper. And I take my role as an artist seriously. It’s not about fame and attention for me, or not how you would think – it’s about using attention to create connection, community, and emotional reaction and it’s about conveying truth. It’s about making the best music I can because I know I can make great music. It is about me in a way because this is something I need to do to feel like myself but at the same time it’s not at all about me.  Where do you find inspiration for your melodies/songs? For me, inspiration can live anywhere. It’s hard to say what exactly is my go-to. Using meditation and exercise, I create a mental atmosphere for myself where I can process ideas and where ideas spring up from my mind naturally. Travel is big too. Or, I may find myself hearing a song by someone else and then I’ll challenge myself to achieve just one characteristic that I’ve picked up on in that song. Other mediums of art, especially literature and painting, inspire me as well.  What different instruments do you play on your current EP? This Spring and through the Summer and Fall, I’m in the process of releasing a mix of singles that belong to two different projects. I do blues indie rock and I do future soul/neo soul.  I would describe it as eclectic but overall, very soulful. My sound is sometimes soul, sometimes blues rock, sometimes future soul, sometimes folk, and I always try to write insightful, poetic lyrics.    How long have you been performing? I’ve been performing as lead singer in one band or another since age 20 when I was a student at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. But I’ve played violin classically since age 5.  How is what you’re doing (this project) different from so many artists popping up today? My lyrics are deeper. And I take my role as an artist seriously. It’s not about fame and attention for me, or not how you would think – it’s about using attention to create connection, community, and emotional reaction and it’s about conveying truth. It’s about making the best music I can because I know I can make great music. It is about me in a way because this is something I need to do to feel like myself but at the same time it’s not at all about me.  Where do you find inspiration for your melodies/songs? For me, inspiration can live anywhere. It’s hard to say what exactly is my go-to. Using meditation and exercise, I create a mental atmosphere for myself where I can process ideas and where ideas spring up from my mind naturally. Travel is big too. Or, I may find myself hearing a song by someone else and then I’ll challenge myself to achieve just one characteristic that I’ve picked up on in that song. Other mediums of art, especially literature and painting, inspire me as well.  What different instruments do you play on your current EP? This Spring and through the Summer and Fall, I’m in the process of releasing a mix of singles that belong to two different projects. I do blues indie rock and I do future soul/neo soul. Thanks Danny!Dont forget to check out his performance when he stops in Central Florida on April, 26th at The Copper Rocket Pub in Maitland!http://www.DannyTheArtist.com Advertisements