Download Specs:
Artist Bio:
Growing up in rural Hopewell, New Jersey (population 2,010), Danielia Cotton stood out. Not just because she was only one of about seven Black kids in her junior high school, but because of the compelling power of her shockingly big voice, which stopped people in their tracks from early on. Danielia’s natural gift--raw, searing vocal chops combined with a deep, buttery tone--draws from the two different rich traditions that she absorbed early in her youth. On the one hand, she couldn’t get enough of what her friends and neighbors were listening to: AC/DC, Zeppelin, the Stones. On the other, she was her mother’s girl: daughter of a jazz singer and member of the church gospel choir, grooving to Mavis Staples, Etta James, Billie and Ella.
The happy collision of these two traditions is her new album, Rare Child, produced by Brad Jones (Jill Sobule, Over the Rhine) and co-produced by Joe Blaney (Shawn Colvin, Soul Asylum) and Danielia herself. On Rare Child, the sheer joy and pain she evokes in her songs instantly draw the listener in. She pulls, stretches and grips her lyrics with a strength that is startling considering this lovely young woman’s seemingly happy-go-lucky demeanor and petite frame. Appearances aside, like male counterparts Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone or crossover icon Tina Turner, Danielia not only has embraced the notion of Black Rock--she has redefined it.
Very early on, music played a major role in Danielia’s life. It became not only the focus of what would become her career, but also, her saving grace and her best friend. “If I didn’t have music saving me every day, I wouldn’t have a place to put a lot of emotions that I have that could potentially be destructive,” says Danielia. “It’s how I survive.” Citing her mother, Danielia speaks lovingly about musical influences that aren’t quite from the playbook of most Rock performers. “I loved Phyllis Hyman’s ..Somewhere In My Lifetime,’” she says, “and Chaka Khan. But not just the popular stuff. It was her version of ..I Loves You, Porgy’ from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. My mom also listened to things like Bonnie Raitt and Loggins & Messina. But for me, it was listening to Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder’s album Songs In The Key of Life: it was about that tone that I thought was the best. And Nancy Wilson singing ..Guess Who I Saw Today’’; the first time I heard that I was like, ..I don’t even like that genre’ but I couldn’t get over the delivery. There was so much emotion. I like artists that were living and feeling whatever it was they were singing about.”
Interestingly, more than any other important influence was Danielia’s fascination with musical movies of the 1930’s and 40’s. “I had a thing for Bing Crosby,” she bashfully admits. “I was an old soul. What entertained me didn’t entertain most kids. But we had a deep life. So anything that would take me out of that life was important. Anything that was singing and had a story to it I liked.” A very young Danielia would stand up on a wood crate in her backyard, grab a stick, and sing Donna Summer’s ..Last Dance’ to the trees and a few semi-curious deer, When she realized she could really belt it out, she decided she might make singing her career. Soon, 12 year-old Danielia joined her mom and aunts in a gospel group called Brookes Ensemble Plus, where she learned harmony. Around that time, Danielia received her first guitar. While her mother couldn’t afford to pay for lessons, she gave Danielia a ..How To’ book that the young writer devoured, locking herself in her room until she came out a comfortable player and had penned her first song.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=59686687
|
|
