Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A) My name is Danielle McTaggart, and I am the lead vocalist for Dear Rouge. I grew up in a small town called Red Deer, Alberta. My hometown impacted my musical direction in that I got a lot of opportunities to sing and make music in church settings. My mom always sang on stage, and I just remember wanting to be like her so much. Any stage always called my name. In high school, I became enthralled with musical theatre and always knew I wanted to be an artist. I started writing songs when I was a teenager and had a plethora of opportunities to grow in my gifts. Playing at a small venue in Red Deer called The Vat was my only spot to try my own songs, until I started performing them in contest settings and local events. I had NO clue how I could be a musician for a career, but I knew that was all I wanted to do.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Dear Rouge”
A) I guess that answer is very layered. I hope to grow our fanbase by being as authentic as possible. Putting our hearts and gifts out there for people to connect to. We always want our music to be about hopeful optimism and that life is supposed to be shared. We’re in this together, and music is just another way…the most amazing way, to share the truths we all experience. Our message is simple. It’s about honesty and loving each other.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A) Most inspiring artist is probably Beyonce. I think because she’s overcome so many obstacles, works her ass off, and is always evolving and putting excellence in the forefront. Everything she does is mind blowing. I find inspiration for making music from my soul. Music and expression is always calling my name. It’s a part of who I am and I can’t ignore that, or I don’t feel like me.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Goon”?
The inspiration for the song came from a trip I went on with a friend of mine. We were cruising around the streets of Paris in the wee hours of the morning, and we landed in this pub somewhere near Notre Dame. These two guys would not leave us alone, to the point where we felt extremely uncomfortable. I ended up turning around and saying sternly, “GO AWAY!” As soon as I said it a creative light bulb turned on, and I knew this experience needed to be a song. It got me thinking about how many times someone or something kept popping up uninvited and unannounced. From there, I went on a writing retreat to Keats Island and finished the general idea and then brought it to Drew to finish the demo off. The song is energetic and edgy; the grit and gloss we so often describe our music as.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
Exciting!
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Goon”?
A challenge was taking the production away from sounding too “happy-clappy” and bringing it more into an edgy vibe.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
The message of our music always has a strand of hope mixed in it. We find ourselves coming back to the heart of our core beliefs, that around the corner is something good for everyone. That we have a choice to love each other and to find meaning in heartache. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. No matter where you come from or what you believe, you’re a human with a purpose.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
I’d say Karen O, Debbie Harry, or Annie Clark (St.Vincent)
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
Don’t quit when things get tough, cause they will. And do it because you love it, not because of some other strange reason. The industry is hard on a dreamer, so you can’t let the shallow things effect your passion. It can get really draining when you run in to so much cynicism and fear.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
Listen to your gut and your voice is your own. Don’t let anyone take from you what they never owned to begin with. You are special just being… don’t try to be something you’re not.
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