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Daemon
Artist Profile:
Danielle Howle
by Brenda Kahn |
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Danielle Howle
CAREER
I've put out five CD's on various indie labels. My first serious
band, Lay Quiet Awhile, was discovered by Amy some time ago. She
attended a show at Music Farm in Charleston, SC, supporting a big
act she had called Ellen James Society.
DAEMON
The gig was sponsored by local alternative Rock station, 96 WAVE.
Lay Quiet Awhile opened the show by chance (a story in itself) and
basically got signed that night. 96 WAVE was and still is the biggest
station in Charleston, and the surrounding area. This is how I began
with Daemon. Daemon is the reason my career is anywhere.
When my band broke up, the label put out my live acoustic record,
"Live At McKissick Museum." Next put out an album which was half
acoustic and half electric, (introducing my new band The Tantrum's)
on Simple Machines Records. I was not gone for long, just that record
and a seven inch. Then I found myself back at Daemon again for the
next album (full band) making a record we called "Do a Two Sabel."
It got a lot of national acclaim, charting in CMJ for the year and
getting the top ten of 98 in three prominent magazines.
TOURING
As far as touring goes, I have done it a lot. I took the last two
months (July and August of 2000) to stay home and really write.
YES, I have a job! Yes, I am extremely poor, more so than people
who only tour a month out of the year. It's a struggle. I am ready.
This break was good. It was the first break since 95 (a silly year
for rock and roll in my book) that I got to stay home consecutively
for two months straight.
MP3
This is a new area for me. I just try to write tunes when I have
the time. Perhaps if people could download a few of my tracks here
and there, it would be cool. If a whole album gets downloaded that
is OK, but I would rather them have the good recording quality of
a disc my label produces. The artwork and the package in its entirety
is important to us. We have something to say to people with every
bit of print we make.
MAJOR LABELS
Major labels are right a lot of the time, but they are wrong more.
They don't take chances like indies with new artists. When they
do, they don't invest long enough. Small labels takes chances with
artists and most don't really have the cash or personnel to back
up the success of the artist they sign. Daemon is different. That's
the bottom line for me. They back it up. BUT as individuals, I find
indie artists able to bear just about anything the circumstances
put out in the biz. No matter what, indie people will always rule.
INDIE LABELS
If you commit to an indie label, then there are less contractual
obligations. An indie artist has More drive to get their music to
the world. It's hands on by the band. Indie people usually don't
have a staff of people to help, other than the few existing at the
small label. The resources are limited and the band has to play
a role in following up with connections of the label and constantly
making new ones for label and band. Manager or NOT.
Indie people who put on consistent live shows will overpower. Putting
it out there is key when on the road. Perhaps their appearance schedules
are not as vigorous in most cases. I tend to tour like Michelle
Malone, or Rose Polenzani, like I had a bus and a major label behind
me, to pay expenses and keep me in hotels, but WHO CARES! However,
if you are sleeping on a floor, and eating shit, then you are doing
that. It adds up after about ten years.
THE WOMAN THING
May the best human win and kick ass. How to get to this point is
simply being good. I am a singer songwriter. I moonlight with a
great band and have a dual career. Both rule in my opinion. Being
a woman may be an issue to some people but it is not to me. Art
stands on its own. I believe this. Unfortunately, many opinions
have been made previously about women and women in music. I don't
know what they are and I don't care to know. I can't battle the
ignorant. I only play shows and make records.
EXPRESSING THE SONG
I don't really use my clothes, makeup, or shoes to express myself
onstage. I usually look the same as if I am going to the grocery
store. However, I do express myself in a visual manner. My expression
changes all the time physically with each song. Every song has a
different character. They are not the writer, but who I write about.
Characters in songs are perceptions of the writer. Right now I feel
every song has and image. I don't.
BACK TO AMY RAY / DAEMON RECORDS FEATURE.
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_________________________________
You can find out more about Amy Ray, Daemon Records and all of their
recording artists at:
http://www.daemonrecords.com |
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_________________________________
Brenda Kahn
is a New York recording artist and the editor of WOMANROCK.com.
Past notes from the Editor. |
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