Daniel Ray

Daniel Ray is a talented hip hop artist from Perth doing things, this what he had to say.

1. For someone unfamiliar with your music, how would you describe the Daniel Ray sound?

The Daniel Ray sound is basically rock infused hip hop that connects to listeners on more of an emotional level. All songs are written based on personal life experiences and involve situations a lot of others have also been through.

2. Tell us a little bit about your writing process. A peek inside the inner workings of the band if you will?

I write music to revisit the same stages of my life that I’d before spent forever trying to forget. Moments that had an impact in a way I didn’t feel strong enough to deal with at the time, so it’s been kinda therapeutic for me going through them while writing The Balance. I would say I write most of my songs while being out walking the streets, using both my voice recorder app and notepad on my Iphone for melodies and other ideas. I work alongside Andrew Wright at Golddust Construction Studio in Leederville while creating new instrumentals, having guest musicians join us for various tracks along the way. For live shows I perform with a fantastic 5 piece backing band, playing what we call the ‘live version’ of each song, which are basically the original tracks only with slight changes that bring extra entertainment to the set.

3. As far as breakout success is concerned, is it all about the strength of a song or does being in the right musical climate at right time make all the difference?

I think it can be either or even both, depending on what an artist is looking at achieving. To me music is an art before it’s a product and therefore I’ve never wanted to create music that fits in with what’s currently in fashion in order to breakout, but in saying that I think marketing and management play major roles in an artist’s success.

4. How important is social media to you in regards to engaging with an audience?

Social media plays a huge role for me, connecting with new listeners and keeping in touch with current fans has never been easier. Regular posts keep viewers up to date on my progress, especially at times when I’m so snowed under that I just don’t get the time I’d like to sit and chat or hang out.

5. What inspired you to take music more seriously?

Becoming a professional artist has been a dream of mine since my early teenage years. I recorded an ep when I was 16 but wasnt quite sure where to go from there. Since then I’ve done a lot of growing up and I’ve been through all of the things I write about today. From the moment I recorded the song ‘You Know’ for my album ‘The Balance’, I felt like I’d gained the inspirational kick I needed to start pushing again with a hunger to make that dream reality.

6. What’s spinning on your playlist atm? Any guilty pleasures?

Lately I’ve been listening to the Arctic Monkeys new album, hip hop artists Nas, Rakim & Onyx, and R&B artists Joe, Usher & The Dream.

7. Are you a fan of keeping the album format alive or do you think there’s more benefit to release singles or EPs with the influence of streaming platforms arguably shortening attention spans?

I’ve spent the last two years writing an album that tells a story from start to finish about a difficult stage in my life. It begins right in the middle of a breakup and gradually builds to a positive and inspiring ending. So making an album has definitely always been my goal and I’ve enjoyed the challenge of putting something like that together. But I do enjoy listening to other artists EPs.

8. When not consumed with all things musical, what do you do tune out or reset?

I use that time to catch up with friends, support other local events, and spend time with my fiancé.

9. Your new album ‘The Balance’ is doing the rounds now, what does the immediate future hold?

The next few months for me are about reaching out to new people and just focusing on getting my music heard. We’re looking at touring Australia soon as well.

10. Lastly, Prince or Michael Jackson?

I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and to this day he is still my favourite artist and entertainer of all time.

Debut album ‘The Balance’ out now via Firestarter Distribution

jbhifi.com.au/music/Whats-Hot/alternative/balance-the/581915/
facebook.com/danielraysound