An Interview with Danama

A new single release from Danama delivers a very lush and cinematic soundscape that is based in rock, but it gives this vast undertone and honest set of lyrics, so it comes with a lot of character and personality, which is one of the main things you get attached to right from the get-go.

"Mend My Soul" comes in with guitars that are spacious and pianos that bring some of that emotional backbone to the table right from the start, and the vocals are powerful and grab your attention in a very particular way. There's a story unraveling and a lot of inner thought that comes spilling out for you to soak in, so you end up holding on to that and really paying attention.

What's cool about this is that the music sets this very unique mood, and it's got a heavy-handed sort of seriousness to it, but that also lends a hand to that cinematic feel as well.

It's a bit of an emotional song. It's got some vulnerability to it, but it's the honesty that keeps you there. I definitely dig a track that takes music and humanizes it. This is exactly what the song does.

It breaks things down and lets you remember that there is a person letting things out behind this music.

This is a powerful track that lends a hand to indie and alternative, and again, the cinematic rock feel, which all come together and end up feeling semi-dreamy in its own way.

It's a very engulfing track, but I mean that in a good way.

Among all of this, you have a chorus that just hooks into you and you end up thinking about that or humming it in your head for hours or even days after the song has ended. The only way to satiate that is to go and listen to the song again, which is brilliant.

The combination of instruments does indeed bring that very robust and full-bodied soundscape to the table, and the song's arrangement lets it completely breathe with calm before the storms, allowing you to take in more of the sentiment during those verses.

There are also these sorts of vast synth pads that are in the background of the track a lot of the time, giving it a massive depth as well.

It's all very wet. Even the drums have bits of reverb effect on them so that everything comes through with that sort of dream-esque tonality, and it's great to have a song that blends the softness and smoothness of that pop-coated dream feel along with the heaviness and intensities of all the guitars when things get climactic.

The songwriting here is brilliant, and it's got a very powerful way of pulling you into it and wrapping itself around you.

The guitar work, among other aspects of the track, is experimental at times, bringing some surprises around the corners and adding all kinds of notes and textures throughout the ether of the track, and because of how things are so out in the open lyrically, you end up connecting with it.

It's a relatable song. Different people can take it in different ways when they hear it, but all in all, the sentiment is loud and clear, and it's one that you can really relate to.

That's part of the power of this track.

I definitely fell hard for this one and found myself swimming around and its aftermath wanting to listen to it again, which is another aspect I should bring up. Listening to this track the second time will let you pick up on things you missed out on that first go-around.

Trust me, a lot is going on, and if you listen to this track with headphones on, you'll be able to soak a lot of it in the way it was meant to be.

At any rate, upon listening to the song, we wanted to have a chat with Danama to talk about what the track was about or where it came from, along with what might be coming up next.

Here's what happened.

Buzz Slayers: Let's talk about Mend My Soul! This was cinematic and driving with that indie-pop overtone! Where did this track come from?

In all honesty I don’t know! I just started writing and it happened. I find that I don’t often remember the writing process for some of my best/ favourite songs I’ve written, I think it’s just because I get so lost in the song I forget how I wrote the song.

Buzz Slayers: I'm hearing a few different approaches on this release! Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

Paramore are a huge influence, imagine dragons, twenty one pilots. Those are the top 3 for me.

Buzz Slayers: Are you performing live right now? Any touring in support of this release?

Yes I am performing live right now :) I have my main headline show on August 9th at Troubadour in London which will be so much fun. For other shows leading up to the headline show check out my socials :) 

Buzz Slayers: Did you record this in a home studio setup, or did you go to a big studio for this?

Everything was recorded in a home set up. I made the backing track and recorded all my parts then set the song off to my drummer. And once drums were done I sent it off for mixing and mastering :) 

Buzz Slayers: Now that this is out, what's next for the band?

I’ve got the next 3/4 songs lined up for release so they will be out soon. But I’ll be focusing on the upcoming shows, especially troubadour on August 9th. 

Buzz Slayers: Are you planning any music videos in the near future?

Yes keep your eyes peeled on my socials and you might see a music video drop soon :) 

Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?

Ooo good question, again Paramore, TØP and Imagine Dragons are always there. But recently Crystal Fighters and a bit of Taylor Swift!

Buzz Slayers: Was writing and recording this track a big undertaking? How long did it take to finish this?

No I find writing music a smooth process. Once I start a song, especially one I think has potential then the writing process comes very quickly and naturally to me :) however I still can’t remember the process haha I just know it didn’t take too long. 

Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music? 

Always look for the good in everything you do. No matter how you’re feeling, how your day is going, you are always in control. You have the power to control your day and how you feel. So look for the good things, expect and truly manifest the good things and you will start to notice them more often. Stay strong .

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