We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DANi IVORY a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
DANi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My mother, who is also a musician, really was the one who kicked my butt into gear when I didn’t want to practice piano as a child. She wouldn’t let me miss one choir rehearsal or performance. I was involved in a lot of musical activities in my youth, but you know, being a child you want to go outside and play with your friends after school, not sit inside and practice. The consistency and discipline she instilled in me from a young age eventually turned my defiance into a love and appreciation of the craft. There was a brief period of time when I was a teenager where I did not take piano or voice lessons and I missed it. After a year break, I went back and never stopped again! My father on the other hand was the one who encouraged my creative exploits. He bought me my first keyboard, a Roland RD700, and that board was the first one I took out to my gigs. My freshman year of college, I came home for Christmas break and asked for Fruity Loops (music software) as my Christmas gift…and next thing I know, he was gifting me a brand new MAC computer with Logic and a midi controller. If it weren’t for that gift, I probably never would have started recording my own music.
DANi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I studied contemporary writing and production and vocal performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston. After completing my studies there, I knew I wanted to go some place where the music and the opportunities were rich. That place for me was Los Angeles. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, I auditioned for Cee Lo Green’s all girl band, Scarlet Fever. I was chosen to be keyboardist and background vocalist and that began my journey as a professional touring musician. From there, I went on to play and tour with many other artists and acts including Beyonce, Imagine Dragons, 2NE1, Gallant, Rhye, and Vance Joy. Even though my “day job” was playing in other people’s bands, I always wrote original music and my own songs. I released several albums and EPs throughout the years and have had the opportunity to write and record with some incredible artists. I completed my album “Dreamland” a while ago and am gearing up to finally release it in just a few months.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I have mostly been a supportive role in my professional musical journey, but my ultimate goal is to get on the big stage playing my own original music for a large festival crowd and tour on my own music. Because I have had such incredible opportunities to play with so many incredible artists in their bands, I would often times put my own music on the back burner. That has delayed and stalled my progress as my own artist and I am looking forward to finally putting my original music first so I can make that dream come true!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having an emotional impact on other people. There is not greater feeling than writing a song or creating a piece of music that another individual identifies with and wants to listen to over and over again. Even singing and playing a tune that moves someone to tears or helps them to access a memory that brings them joy. I love the effect that music and my delivery of it can have on someone else. If I can be a vessel for the spirit to come alive then that is the greatest gift!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daniivory.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniivory
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniivoryartist
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/daniivory
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/daniivorymusic
Image Credits
Casey Curry Kirsten Balani Brad Cauchy