Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was born and raised in North London, England and moved to New York in 2002, I grew up learning guitar and piano by ear and because I have no background in music theory, my songwriting can be a little quirky. As a kid, I was always happiest visiting recording studios with my dad who wrote songs for mainstream pop singers such as Barry Manilow. But my music taste was the polar opposite; so much so that my Dad suggested packaging my first band’s indie rock album with headache pills!
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 “danieljmorrow”?
A: I am playing regular shows in New York to support new material that I’ve written. Music will be available in all digital stores. I am getting featured in some lovely blogs like yours and hopefully some renowned playlists too. I hope the music will connect with anyone who likes a thoughtfully crafted song with a sense of originality and with those that appreciate authentic lyrics which try to explore troubles that we all have in our personal relationships as well as our relationships to society at large.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: Fiona Apple or Julien Baker are the most inspiring artists for me right now. Both write in such authentic voices. I have a community of songwriters in Brooklyn, NY who are constantly inspiring me. Personally as long as I have questions and things to explore both lyrically and musically then I am inspired to make music.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “The Battle of The Billionaires.”?
A: For some time now I’ve been feeling the need to express my anger at how the wealthiest people are treating our planet as their disposable playground. I was fortunate enough to be on an artist residency in Memphis last year, where I was able to focus on writing on the piano (instead of guitar). When I found the opening chords to the song, I knew it fitted with the ominous theme that I wanted to explore.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Emotive or Indie Rock
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “The Battle of The Billionaires”?
A: Yes, i wanted to offer some sense of positivity in the lyrics rather than it just being a complaint but it was very hard to find that when there is so little hope for the planet at the moment. I eventually found it in the form of a sort of rallying cry.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: My goal as an artist is to connect with people lyrically. I hope that I can help to articulate the same questions many of us have about our personal relationships as well as what is happening in our world. Musically, I love challenging the traditional structures of pop music, taking strong melodies in unexpected directions.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: PJ Harvey
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Collaboration is everything! Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses so find people who can help you grow.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: You need moral and emotional support along the way with people that you trust. Develop your own communities as early as you can
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