Where can we find you right now and what are you up to?
Just search Dani Hagan and I’ll pop up wherever you are! In real life, I’m in LA, haha!
Tell us a bit about collaborating with renowned producer Mikal Blue.
Mikal has been inspiring to work with. He is so chill and allows my artistry to shine through his producing, while still guiding me me to find my authentic sound. It’s been an awesome partnership. Mikal also has a ridiculous little black book of LAs finest musicians to call in to record my songs, like Gregg Bissonette and Corky James. It was an honor to have them play on my songs.
Growing up in North Dakota, to becoming a musician based in Los Angeles, how did your background influence your musical style? Honestly, for years I tried to hide all my classical training, but now I feel fully developed and really proud of all my studies. I feel well rounded and rooted in my music. ND was very classical and musical theatre. NYC I was doing musical theatre while being introduced to classic rock, which led me to buying a guitar, and that’s when I truly found my voice. That’s when my second musical awakening happened.
I was also raised on music from the 40’s 50’s and 60’s, thanks to my grandma, and a lot of that music was written by Jeff Barry, and once I moved to LA, Jeff became my mentor and a co-writer. This city is full of magic.
Selling out iconic LA venues like The Viper Room and Molly Malone's is impressive, especially for artists who have just started their careers. Can you share some memorable moments from those live performances? How could someone do something similar?
There’s nothing like standing on The Viper room stage as they pull back the curtains with the fog machine rolling, the stage lights flashing and the audience screaming for your entrance… and that’s just the first 30 seconds of the show! Getting into flow state with my band in front of the crowd who taps right into the experience with us is an absolute high.
Getting on these stages takes persistence and simply showing up. Make friends with the door guy, the ticket lady, the sound engineer and the bartender, and if you’re lucky they introduce you to the bar manager or even better, the promoter. But more importantly, write good songs, be prepared to step on stage at all times, even if you’re not scheduled to perform, that’s how I made my way into the LA music community. Preparation (and a lot of eagerness) meet’s opportunity.
What obstacles does an emerging artist have to face in our time?
Embracing social media has been a big one for me. I’m not trying to be an influencer, I just want to make my music. But this is the way of our musical culture now and you either have to participate or get swept into the background. Learn to enjoy it, be playful. Then there is the flip side, social media allows everyone to shine from singing in their showers or stairwells, but performing in front of a live audience takes experience. Nothing beats playing live in front of actual people watching with their eyes and listening with their in ears in person! A lot of upcoming artists are missing that element. This is where I feel I really excel as a singer.
Also, the more you are well defined for yourself as an artist, the less people’s opinions will matter. And believe me, everyone will have their own opinion on how you should look, sound, perform, etc. so get rooted in who you are, but also allow space for evolution. The more you grow in this industry, the more people want to leave their own fingerprints on your creations. No one’s finger print should be bigger than your own.
What worked for you marketing-wise? What advice or tips would you give to new artists?
Marketing is a lot of trial and error. And what worked last week likely won’t work this week. Authenticity is always the best route. Vulnerability tends to be the most relatable. I’m grateful to have an awesome team in place to help me navigate things like marketing.
Personal connection always leads to the best interaction, but that requires more hours than there are in the day. Learn to strike a balance.
Could you share a bit about your creative process? How do you typically approach writing and producing your music?
I’ve always got a lyric book within arms reach, I’m constantly writing and developing ideas. But late nights alone with a glass of wine and my guitar and piano usually lead to the best music, especially after a heightened emotional state. I’m very much an emotional writer, it’s how I process my experiences. But other times, I love a good songwriting challenge, like a suggested topic or a track to write to, helps me get outside of my usual rhythm. As does co-writing.
I try to develop my songs as much as possible before getting into the studio, that way I stay true to my sound and am less likely to lean into someone else’s creative Interpretation of my music.
Tell us about your latest or upcoming release.
I’m so excited about the release of my EP titled “Kissing You” which was just released this last October. The last year and a half leading up to the release has been filled with studio time, photo shoots, trips to London to shoot music videos, touring for live performances in LA and around the west coast. I’m very proud of all the songs, I’ve been overwhelmed with all the incredibly positive reviews since the release. It’s made me feel very calm and confident as an artist in a way that I haven’t expected. Perhaps I feel accomplished, and also inspired. I feel reinvigorated about my own music and when I tell you I cannot wait to get back into the recording studio next month… the next year and a half is going to be double of what I just experienced and I am ready!