Session Vocalist & Songwriter

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: The song on my page, Auld Lang Syne, was a particularly special project. I was contacted by a major hospital network to record a song for their end of year video in 2020. It was very emotional for these health care workers to be care providers during COVID-19. Many of them were personally impacted, and some of them had a financial hit because members of their households lost their source of income. I produced, sang, and recorded it for them, and included audio clips of health care workers who received financial assistance during the year and were sharing their gratitude to the colleagues who donated funds during their time of need. It was truly special. A video is posted on my YouTube channel if you're interested!

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on releasing my debut EP! It has been such a fun journey, and I can't wait to share my original music with the world. I also have a YouTube channel (DanoLadyBeGood) that is just so much fun. Check it out to stay up to date on the latest music trends!!

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: That I will give your project 110% effort, and I will work with you until you are completely satisfied with the end result. I will not take on more clients then I can give my full undivided attention to.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Doing what I love!! It hardly feels a job at all, and if I didn't have bills to pay I'd do it all for free.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That anyone can do it. The difference between an amateur sound and a professional sound is very difficult to describe, but very easy to notice. Even non musicians can hear it and will walk away from a song saying "it was okay" but not knowing why. It's so important to work with someone who knows what that why is, so that you can get that professional vocal sound that will wow your listeners.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Who is your biggest vocal reference for your song? Especially with vocals, there are infinite ways to execute styles. By maintaining an original and unique vocal sound, it's important to look at some details that will really help your project just what you're envisioning. I would use your reference to analyze what type of voice they're using (chest, mixed, head) and when/ how often they're being used, and even what their vowel sounds are. References are super helpful since sometimes vocal style is hard to explain in words.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Make sure you are working with someone who truly cares about your vision! I've hired very high end people to work on my music, and much to my dismay, found that I was at the bottom of their priority list. It's so much more important to find someone who truly cares about what you're doing. That's how you'll get the highest quality performance for your project.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: There is no short way to answer this, but I'll try! I started in music as a kid and knew that was my dream. I started performing in musicals at 6 years old, began classical vocal lessons at 13, and then at 17 I started singing with local rock bands. At 18 I went to college for classical voice for a year, while still in a rock band, and realized that the classical training I was receiving was not helping me sing in contemporary styles. So I quit music school. At 21 I started singing with cover bands for a few years but didn't enjoy it. I became frustrated with my voice since I was a classically trained vocalist trying to sing contemporary styles, and so I quit singing for about 10 years. In that time I went back to college and got a cushy 9-5 job. Well, turns out I hated that too because I wasn't able to sing. So, at 31 I hired a new vocal coach specializing in converting classically trained vocalists into contemporary trained vocalists, and now at 32 I just recently quit my safe 9-5 job to do vocals again. I finally feel ready to make singing professionally my career. Nothing gives me greater joy than having the opportunity to sing for your project. Let's make some kick @$$ music together <3

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: Halsey! I just want to learn how she can create so freely. To me that's the mark of a true artist! Also her lyric writing and poetry is something I frequently study (I read her book of poems at least 5 times)!

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: BE YOURSELF! It took me a long time to figure this out, but I always struggled with trying too hard to sound like someone else. Especially vocally - I have a unique sound and spent so much time figuring out how to sound like others, and when I finally just focused on sounding like me I started having so much progress with my voice. It's also way more fulfilling to work on projects that are special and meaningful to you.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Pop or Singer/Songwriter is the most common styles I work on, but I hate to put myself in a box! There are so many amazing genres that are fun to perform and collaborate on. I also have experiencing singing classical/opera (studied at Westminster Choir College for 5 years), broadway (I performed in over 20 productions), Rock (I was in a nationally touring rock band), and I also worked with clients singing lofi (which was SO much fun btw!) EDM (another genre I really enjoyed singing!), and more!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Enthusiasm and a positive attitude! As a singer-songwriter myself I know how scary it can be to trust someone else, especially someone you don't know, with your song. It is your baby! And I promise you your baby will be in good hands with me. I'll treat your song with upmost respect and professionalism and give it my full attention and care. I will never rush through a song just to get it cross it off the list. Every client is important to me, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with you! That's hard to find with some of the bigger session vocalists on this platform.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: First I'll connect with the client and get a good grasp on their vision for the project. I want to make sure I am taking inspiration from your references so that you're truly happy and excited about the final song. If the parts are written, turnaround time for first draft of vocals is within a week. Then we can discuss and work on any revisions or changes that are needed so that you're 100% satisfied when the project is complete.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a cute little vocal booth set up in my home studio. Spoiler alert, it's a closet! The space is completely sound treated and I record with a Warm Audio Condenser mic (I'm obsessed with this mic btw - highly recommend!). All vocals are comped, tuned and edited using Logic Pro and Melodyne.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Halsey is my biggest inspiration by far! I am so inspired by her ability to be honestly and authentically true to herself and her art, and how there is so much freedom in her creativity. She is passionate about everything she works on and it shows.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: I provide affordable and high quality session vocals for my clients. I listen to your vision and can't wait to work with you to make sure I'm giving you just want you need to take your project to the next level!