We recently connected with Daniel Hercott and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
My mission is to explore and define meaningful ‘allyship’ in Australia (and beyond) through the medium of music.
I grew up in a western society largely dislocated from any sense of cultural purpose or belonging, alongside a youthful, burning passion for the environmental preservation. These two principles somewhat merged the more I’ve become exposed and invited into indigenous Australian principles and ways of life – the health of our environment depends upon the preservation of traditional indigenous practices and knowledge.
This theme is a pillar in my songwriting and a vehicle for my voice toward change and awareness.
The more my career and voice in the music industry elevates, the more I wish to use it as a vessel to embrace indigenous principles of learning and reciprocity to give back to, stand along side and uplift indigenous cultures.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am an indie blues, roots and folk musician. I grew up in a small, rural farming community. I never much assimilated into the culture or any of the typical paths of life of that town, so I found my self as a teen with a lot of downtime and an affinity toward music. This is where my learning of music began.
Breaking into the music industry from a rural area with little to no music scene, an hour from any larger town, provided many challenges. However growing up in the bush was a blessing and preceded a great deal of the heart and inspiration for my music.
Growing up remote developed a keen relation to the environment and landscape and from that blossomed an environmental and cultural sensitivity, informing the mission of my career in music.
Over my emerging career as a musician I’ve become a proficient yidaki (didgeridoo) player, which has become a notable part of my act and has also invited a responsibility of remaining honest and accountable to First Nations people.
I released a debut album mid 2023, which included notable collaborations with class producers, musicians and mob, and most significantly key themes around connection to and preservation of land, echoing the relation to preservation of self, invoking such conversation from listeners.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Authenticity. Operating a business (especially in the arts) has provided a platform to reflect my own personal pursuit of betterment and authenticity. Choosing a career in music comes with a lifelong pursuit for me, and therefore no rush to become successful or influential – good relation and right story happens slowly.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I am in the process of unlearning that ‘good things come to those who wait’. While this is true, this concept must be reconciled with discipline and outwardness. I have wrestled with the traits of a ‘people pleaser’ which informs a fear of making mistakes or being rejected. As a sole trader this directly influences the growth of my business and the opportunities that I’m met with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielaaron.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielaaronmusic/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielaaronmusic/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc7FXpryJigitzi9l5CeTJg
- Other: https://linktr.ee/danielaaron
Image Credits
Joshua Maxwell De Hoog Patrick Callow