tag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:/blogs/life-on-the-roadLife On The Road2021-02-21T09:14:05+11:00Dani El-Rassifalsetag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/65543502021-02-21T09:14:05+11:002021-02-21T09:29:33+11:002021 // Regional Tour // New Music<p><strong>21.02.2021</strong></p>
<p><span style="color:#16a085;"><em><strong>National > Regional Tour</strong></em></span></p>
<p>We're officially half way through our NSW Regional tour. I'll be completely honest - this was meant to be a NATIONAL TOUR - a co-headline with my good friend and extremely talented Melbourne Artist <a contents="Maxon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/itsmemaxon/">Maxon</a>. We spent months doing zoom calls, calling venues around the country, booking our band shows, emailing our band members trying to secure their availability, managing budgets, accommodation, promotion and marketing material, social media and digital marketing, you name it. Annnnyyyywaaaayyy, then Covid came back to bite us in the butt and in December, there was another outbreak in Sydney.</p>
<p>This then affected border closures and created a huge amount of uncertainty for us, with our 11-city, 4-state tour all planned and almost ready to go. So, sadly we made the call to cancel it. Or postpone? who knows.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/fd3e94d099e117d2d0a49d2b3d4f87f2327aa8d9/original/dani-el-rassi.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Maxon and I each decided to go ahead with our local shows. And THUS was born my NSW Regional tour - SYDNEY, NEWCASTLE, TAMWORTH, MAITLAND. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/df1dc11837b014556da73a3b1beea3d6c0fab837/original/de.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />So when this all happened, I honestly reached a point of burn out. As you'd all know so well, all the ups and downs/ stops and starts of this Pandemic have been really taxing. My burn out was real and I needed about a month to recover. Throughout that time, I never stopped rehearsing. Playing music with these amazing humans was my absolute joy the entire time. We have been working so hard on new content that I've been writing, and it has just been so fulfilling. The creative process has been tiring at times, involving lots of drives down the M1 highway to Sydney, but it has been very worth it. The new music is sounding SHARP and beautiful and I'm so excited for you all to hear it.</p>
<p>It's been super fun and I'm still really grateful to be able to go touring during a Pandemic. However, like everyone else, I'm reeeeeally looking forward to it going away so we can go back to business as usual. Our show at Sydney's Camelot Lounge ended up being a SELL OUT and we had such a blast. It was a pleasure to share all our work with the audience. </p>
<p><span style="color:#16a085;"><em><strong>What's next?</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The next show is on <strong><a contents="13 March at the Stag and Hunter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://linktr.ee/dani.elrassi">13 March at the Stag and Hunter</a> </strong>in Newcastle and it's going to be one of the best shows of the tour because we are so well rehearsed, but also rested, excited, and it's my local now! </p>
<p><span style="color:#16a085;"><em><strong>Recording</strong></em></span></p>
<p>We also have exciting plans for recording which I'll be sharing very soon - but just know that there is new music on its way to you VERY SOON! </p>
<p>Thanks to those of you who have stuck by me through this journey - you know who you are.</p>
<p><em>Dani x</em></p>Dani El-Rassitag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/64725782020-11-08T19:17:34+11:002023-12-11T03:30:11+11:00A run of shows + A political WIN.<p>8 Nov 2020: the day that all the emotions hit at once.</p><p>A day that goes down in history, in world politics and beyond. <span style="color:#2980b9;"><i>Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have taken back power, ending Donald Trump's administration.</i></span> It is overwhelmingly beautiful - not only have the Democrats won, but America showed up and voted in numbers never before seen, in all history. And the majority of those people, and the majority of the states, elected a leader who supports humanity, the environment, women, people of colour, migrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and many other minorities. We need leaders who discourage racism, white supremacy, homophobia, transphobia and sexism. To add to this victory, <strong>Kamala Harris is the FIRST EVER female, AND African-American AND Indian-American Vice President in the USA.</strong> <span style="color:#c0392b;"><i>What a significant moment.</i></span></p><p>After the year that has been, <i>(quick summary: pandemic, recession, black lives matter, beirut explosion, tens of thousands of deaths, unemployment, major loss to the arts industry, to name a few),</i> this week and last, I had the privilege to bring my band back together and to play music to sold out audiences across NSW. </p><p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>Post show blues</strong></span></p><p>The word "band" doesn't really paint the full picture - a band is a combination of musicians who make music together. These beautiful and talented humans have been with me for a long time now, bringing my music to life, bringing my vision to life, being the best friends I could ask for, people whom I can call and lean on in times of crisis or sadness or being overjoyed - people who can read my mind when I make a mistake in a song, people who already know which chord or section of my songs comes next when they haven't heard the song in full yet. The people who feel genuine joy when I feel joy. And vice versa. When they're happy, I'm happy. <i><strong>Family. </strong></i></p><p><i><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/009b86644c7b9c30230bce5a4f235f3505598ce7/original/195a2726-3b96-4f91-8fe4-aa702d7ba613.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></i></p><p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>Find your people</strong></span></p><p>"Finding your people" - something we are all doing, every day of our lives - is so crucial to a sense of fulfilment, belonging, and human-ness. <a class="no-pjax" href="https://linktr.ee/dani.elrassi" data-link-type="url" contents='My new single "this is what it means to be human"'>My new single "this is what it means to be human"</a> talks about exactly this. That all the emotions we encounter, all the good and bad, is all part of the experience. If it's not up and down, it's not life. To have found my people in this way, means more than my words on this blog page can express. <i>My definition of success in life is to be surrounded by people who engage and love you, and whom you love right back.</i> To be able to create and perform art with such people is such a blessing. No matter what I go on to do in my life, I feel that success is here. It's really important to hone in on that thought process. </p><p>As I sit here on my lounge in my Newcastle home, waiting for my take away food to arrive with my partner and watching greys anatomy, I'm taking this all in. The birds are singing in the tree just outside my window and the fresh afternoon air is flowing in to my living room. I'm so tired, but exhilerated. I've spent the day with some of the team, had a small bike ride (endorphins = very important after such a rush (and then almost depletion) of dopamine), and now i'm mentally preparing for a big assignment I have due tomorrow night for a post-grad diploma I'm doing (a story for another time). </p><p><span style="color:#8e44ad;"><strong>The Sydney shows (2 seatings, Camelot Lounge, Marrickville) [SOLD OUT]</strong></span></p><p>Sold out, loving audiences sat at a safe 1.5 social distance and listened and laughed with me as we shared music. My band pulled together after 10 long months of being separated from what we love most - playing shows together. We rehearsed a couple of times in the lead up, and it was just the best feeling in the world, to be back together. After getting back into the swing of life (Post grad study, working, new softball team, a very sick pet, and all of life's regular demands), I was EXHAUSTED before the shows even began. This affected my performances in Sydney significantly. But I still had a wonderful time. An AMAZING review - you can read it <a class="no-pjax" href="https://dani-elrassimusic.com/home/blog/chuck-moore-reviews-about-dani-el-rassi" data-link-type="url" contents="here.">here.</a></p><p><span style="color:#8e44ad;"><strong>The Newcastle show (Great Southern Nights x Aria Official, together with the Stag and Hunter, presents Dani El-Rassi co-headline with Lili Crane and Paris Grace) [SOLD OUT]</strong></span></p><p>It was even better than Sydney (sorry guys!). Everything lined up perfectly for this night. My energy was restored after I took some days off work and study and exercise to recover from a cold (read: covid test was negative!) and I just slept and slept. I couldn't stop sleeping! It paid off. Slowing introducing exercise, drinking loads of water, working hard on my vocal exercises and microphone technique at home, communicating with the band, crafting the perfect set list, loads of organisation with the venue.... it was just all worth it. I would replay that night over and over if i could. </p><p>We were also lucky enough to receive a government grant for this show (Great Southern Nights Festival) and we were stoked to be a part of it - thanks to Mick at the Stag for facilitating this. My band played beautifully as always and I feel more and more connected with them each time we see eachother and perform. (thank you lauren, ethan, and amy i love you guys beyond words. thank you sticking with me through this journey 💕)</p><p><i>you can follow us on instagram AT:</i></p><p><i>DANI - @dani.elrassi</i></p><p><i>AMY - @photographybyalt</i></p><p><i>ETHAN - @ethanonbass</i></p><p><i>LAUREN - @ladrummachine</i></p><p><span style="color:#16a085;"><strong>Tomorrow life goes back to normal - </strong></span>work, study, bills, life. But all this energy and the wave of emotions just has me preparing for the next single release, the next plan, the next run of shows... already can't wait to be back with the band 😭</p><p>If you've made it this far through the blog, I'm 1) amazed and 2) grateful that you felt like reading it all... thanks for the time you just gave to me. If you're reading this and haven't seen me play live, please do come along to one of the next shows. I'd LOVE to meet you and know who it is, out there in the world, who is actually reading this word vomit 😂</p><p>Much love, always. Have a beautiful week!</p><p><span style="color:#f39c12;"><i><strong>Dani xx</strong></i></span></p>Dani El-Rassitag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/62924982020-04-24T10:21:28+10:002020-11-08T18:05:08+11:00COVID-19 - LET'S CHAT.<p><span style="color:#f39c12;"><strong><span class="font_large">LET'S CHAT COVID</span></strong></span></p>
<p><b><span style="color:#f39c12;">Life is not what it was a few months ago.</span> </b>How are you all coping? I recently sent out a newsletter (sign up via my website) talking about my main coping mechanisms and I shared some resources. </p>
<p>Make sure you're doing what works for you and don't worry about anything else. It's never easy to re-learn how to exist in this world but we must be grateful for all that we DO have, whilst allowing the bad days to come and go as they need to. It's alright to be struggling right now! I hope you know that. </p>
<p>For me, it's a combo of a regular weekly routine, add a bit of exercise, meditation, resting, cooking, and staying in touch with loved ones. </p>
<p><span style="color:#8e44ad;"><strong>I'm so grateful</strong> for fresh air, fresh water, food I enjoy, my family, my relationship, a comfortable bed, clean clothes, beautiful trees, blue skies, unlimited ocean swims (as long as they're for exercise - i'm learning how to suck it up and jump in even if it's cold. WORTH IT), hikes, and access to technology! </span>(Wifi, Netlfix, Duolingo, Facetime etc are keeping me sane, distracted when needed, in touch with loved ones when needed, and entertained!). If you can, take a sec to mentally or physically note down the things you are grateful for. It's not about ignoring the things that are tough right now, but about giving equal time to the positive things we are aware of. </p>
<p><br><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong><span class="font_large">MUSIC: WHAT'S NEXT</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>WRITING / RECORDING</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#2980b9;">Well there's a lot of new music in the works. </span>I'm just waiting for my preferred studio to reopen (thanks Covid!). Check out the demos of my new songs via IGTV <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_RdrEfB8Vb/">here</a> and <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/B8fJF6eBLej/">here</a>. The rough plan (just to keep ya in the loop!) is to release two singles in the next few months/years and then work towards a full Debut Album (9-12 tracks depending on timing, cost, etc). Music is its own little economy so I'm just riding the wave every single day, keeping my big goals in mind. Someone once told me that achieving your big goals is just a matter of chipping away at tiny little goals every day. I never really understood that until I applied it to music. It works!</p>
<p><span style="color:#16a085;"><strong>T-SHIRTS</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#16a085;">I've just sent through my first ever order for TSHIRT MERCH</span> which is being printed this week. I'm so excited about this - It's one of the more legitimate ways for me to generate income to be able to continue doing what I do. It also gives you something of value that you will actually get use out of! Get in touch for pre-orders - and see below for the draft print design (it'll be small!)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/83a1f8ea3b1917d8a43ad2edddab9eeadca3a320/original/idea-with-text.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>MINI MUSIC SCHOOL</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#c0392b;">I've launched a mini music school</span> which is available to all ages and abilities. I've already had 8 students on all different topics and it has been so great! See below for the poster and get in touch if you or your kids would like some lessons!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/ecdb8cba13d0911635fb30b4c3be3777cb264270/original/write-a-song-poster.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#f39c12;"><strong>NEXT LIVE STREAM</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#e67e22;">I'm playing a Facebook live</span> on Monday (27 April at 7.30 PM) <a contents="via my Dani El-Rassi FB Page." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://facebook.com/dani.elrassimusic">via my Dani El-Rassi FB Page.</a></p>
<p><strong>Hope to see ya there <3 send me some requests!</strong></p>
<p>Dani x</p>Dani El-Rassitag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/62352652020-03-03T15:07:55+11:002020-03-03T15:11:53+11:00Music - the hype, 2019 recap, life balance, what next?<p><strong><span style="color:#c0392b;"><span class="font_large">Soooo it's been a while. How ya doing?</span></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large"><u><span style="color:#2980b9;">2019 was the biggest year of my music career yet.</span> </u></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large"><u><span style="color:#2980b9;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/874d86f0571ad92e63e70a4afa4f84a99f8bff45/original/ep-cover-digi-3000x3000.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span></u></span></strong></p>
<p>It involved writing, recording and releasing 2 x singles from my debut EP and then the EP itself. It involved upwards of 5 sold out ticketed shows in Sydney alone, as well as NATIONAL TOUR (!!) with my band. I also released a brand new single which is the precursor to an entire album that is in the works.... and I received my first two Internationally recognised reviews by the super-reviewer "Happy Mag". Click <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://happymag.tv/artists/dani-el-rassi/">here</a> to read them both if you haven't already! They reviewed both my <a contents="EP, announced my tour" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://happymag.tv/dani-el-rassi-is-touring-her-incredible-debut-ep-this-december/">EP, announced my tour</a> and also gave my a <a contents="glowing review of the new single" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://happymag.tv/premiere-dani-el-rassi-is-a-captivating-presence-on-dead-to-me/">glowing review of the new single</a> 'Dead to Me'. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/ce38505c9b5f7d507fc18f3c03c65d312fbee34f/original/dtm-art-3k-x-3k-spotify.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#16a085;"><span class="font_large"><strong>2020 started with finishing off the national tour..</strong></span>. </span>the tour started in Melbourne VIC, and we travelled to Sydney NSW, Terrigal NSW, Newcastle NSW, Brisbane QLD, and Tamworth NSW for the Southern Hemisphere's biggest country music festival! It was surreal to travel around the country to celebrate the release of my debut EP as well as my brand new single. <a contents="Click here to listen to the EP," data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gyro.lnk.to/TheBestIsYetToCome"><strong>Click here to listen to the EP</strong>,</a> or <strong><a contents="here for the new single 'Dead to Me'.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://gyro.lnk.to/DeadtoMe">here for the new single 'Dead to Me'. </a></strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/43043c8dbae6e8ca74b729d261c7e9dba6588a02/original/updated-tour-poster.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Once that was done, life admin had to take over for a while as I was moving house and a whole lot of other things. But now, with those things settled, I have some time to really consider what my next move is!</p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><span class="font_large">I'll let you in on a secret...</span></span> </strong>I have enough songs now for my debut full length album. And I am ready to start recording the next single... but I haven't chosen which one. </p>
<p>In the next couple of weeks I'm gonna be starting up a regular video-upload, of new music, covers, or acoustic covers of my own music. I'm eager to get you guys in on the latest stuff and for you to keep an eye out for show announcements. </p>
<p>Thanks for reading and... feel free to shoot me a message or an email to let me know your thoughts! You can sign up to my mailing list to receive updates when I release tickets to shows or have exciting news. <strong><a contents="To do so, click here.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://dani-elrassimusic.com/home#newsletter">To do so, click here. </a></strong></p>
<p> </p>Dani El-Rassitag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/58283542019-07-18T21:49:49+10:002022-03-16T22:41:46+11:00Debut Release - Behind The Scenes<p><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong>BREATHE - DANI EL-RASSI</strong></span></span></p>
<p><u><strong><span style="color:#2980b9;">On 28 June 2019</span>,</strong></u> I released my debut single 'Breathe'. For those of you who don't know me, I have an eclectic mix of passions, but music has been my greatest drive for 20+ years (can't believe I'm old enough to say that, wow).</p>
<p><a contents="(Click here to listen) " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://linktr.ee/dani.elrassi">(Click here to listen) </a>-<span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong> let me know what you think!</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#27ae60;"><strong>We did the official launch to a SOLD OUT Sydney crowd who SOLD OUT my merch</strong></span><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong> and </strong></span><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong>you could have heard a penny drop in that venue</strong></span><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong>, it was so silent and every ear was listening to every word I was singing and every note I/ WE played. </strong></span><span style="color:#c0392b;"><strong>I saw audience members with their hands on their heart as they SHED TEARS in front of me as I sang my original works to them! WOW.</strong></span><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong> </strong></span><em><span style="color:#e67e22;"><strong>It was the most magical night</strong></span></em><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong><em> </em>- exactly what I envisioned and I made it happen, together with my incredible team. The perfect intersection of hard work and passion.</strong></span></p>
<p><br><span style="color:#2980b9;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/363673/b4ae50d3c5cbdbca78e062e2f730011fb59bfa51/original/a44a6994.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#e67e22;"><span class="font_large">For years I've dreamed of what it would be like to release music and take on this journey (for real). </span></span></p>
<p>And now, I'm doing it. Full time, full speed ahead. A musician gaining traction and speed and success is often viewed as a busy, popular, always-energised-about-everything person. But this is definitely not the case. Instagram is now part of my JOB! Watching Spotify streams go up (or not go up!) Playing shows is exhausting and everything is banking on what you do during that half hour set! Planning shows, marketing the whole process, designing the merch, updating the website, writing the music, teaching the band, meeting with the manager, AND having the money to pay everyone! <strong>(work?? what??) </strong>But I have to say, if I'm going to have to be tired in ANY career, it's going to be this one. <span style="color:#3498db;"><strong>And I ain't gonna stop until I can't move forward any longer. </strong></span></p>
<p><u><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><span class="font_large"><strong>THE UPS</strong></span></span></u></p>
<p>Like any job, there are ups, and there are downs. Except in this industry, <span style="color:#16a085;"><strong>the ups are far more UP, and the downs are far more DOWN</strong></span> than any other career I've pursued (I did a few. I couldn't choose. Then I chose music lol!)</p>
<p>It's definitely been an interesting, unexpected, joyful, stressful, mixed process. Some days are filled with success, movement, ideas, results, positivity, support, and friends and family. However, there's definitely a side to this industry that most people don't talk about. Which is, for a start, that as a full time musician, it is REALLY hard/in some cases IMPOSSIBLE to work full time whilst also pursuing music full time. And I mean truly full time. The side which is seldom spoken about is the part where you are working MORE than full time, in a form that is almost unrecognisable as work, to most people in society.</p>
<p><u><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><span class="font_large"><strong>THE DOWNS</strong></span></span></u></p>
<p>Pursuing any art with all of your heart and soul is all-consuming, and exhausting, (and it also doesn't provide for many $$ options unless you work part time as well - either in paid cover gigs/weddings or an unrelated part time job - until ya make it big time, of course ;)).</p>
<p>Other parts that aren't spoken about are the literal "come downs" (not in the illicit drugs sense). The "come down" I'm speaking of is the feeling of <span style="color:#e74c3c;">banking all of your heart, soul, time, money and energy into an event, at which you need to sing your little heart out, with songs that you wrote with all of your heart and soul. It took your whole heart and soul to sell that many tickets, to have a fan base, to have people leave their routine to go to (for most) an unknown venue. All of your energy is drained, and you farewell everyone and thank them for coming out (sometimes on a week night) and for buying your merch and tickets and streaming your song on Spotify, at which point you go home and sleep for hours and hours. And when you wake up, you have a sadness, depletion and exhaustion. A come-down from all the adrenaline, dopamine, endorphins, and other brain chemicals which make us feel so damn good when things turn out well.</span> AND THEN you go to work. Gotta pay the rent, right?</p>
<p>BUT, at the end of that day, when things balance out again, you remember exactly why you do what you do. </p>
<p><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><span class="font_large"><u><strong>WHAT ELSE I COULD HAVE DONE</strong></u></span></span></p>
<p><strong>October this year will mark <span style="color:#2980b9;">one year </span>since I quit my full time job to pursue the dream. <span style="color:#f39c12;"><span class="font_xl">(!)</span></span></strong></p>
<p>The terrifying, seemingly impossible, huge, crazy dream. And almost a year later, I can honestly say that I wouldn't even recognise the person I am now, compared to a year ago. And I say that in the BEST way possible. For years, I studied to become a lawyer. And then I did it, and I took on the grad job and the paycheck and the 8-5 and everything that comes with it. And leaving that profession for the dream that gives me purpose to be alive on this planet, was the best decision I could have made. <span style="color:#27ae60;"><em><strong>What have I learnt? That having an "impossible dream" is ESSENTIAL to success.</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#e67e22;"><strong>If I may leave you with one piece of advice before I depart, it is this:</strong></span></p>
<p>I used to think being exhausted and drained and hating my job was normal but it just ISN'T. Listen to the gut instinct and the voice in your head. Go after the dream and give it all you've got because we have ONE chance in this life and I'm telling you from the other side of the equation that despite all the sacrifices, I know why I'm doing what I'm doing and I know that I am now living in line with my purpose.</p>
<p><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong>I</strong></span><span style="color:#e74c3c;"><strong>t's not easy. But if it were, EVERYONE WOULD DO IT.</strong></span></p>
<p>GO AFTER YOUR LIFE!</p>
<p><span style="color:#3498db;"><strong>SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO COME SOON - thanks for reading and thank you, as always, for your support. </strong></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#3498db;"><b>DANI xx</b></span></span></p>Dani El-Rassitag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/57574042019-05-17T09:19:08+10:002023-05-03T17:01:25+10:00The Songwriting Process<p>Every song I write emerges with an initial feeling. </p><p>Sometimes, it seems like songs just materialise out of thin air and <i>I am just their vehicle into this world. </i></p><p>Other times, it takes a lot of concentration and piecing together of a puzzle to complete a song. </p><p>For nearly 10 years now, I have been writing down snippets of words, songs, song titles, books, concepts, poems, movies - noting down what they made me feel. </p><p>And then, when the time is right, a melody comes into my mind, or a chord progression, and I go back to my notes and retrieve that line, concept, or feeling.</p><p>It usually happens at the most inconvenient times, like when I'm driving, on a packed train in peak hour, driving home from work, and sometimes even at work. There have been times where I have gone to the bathroom just to record a quick voice memo on my phone so as to not forget the idea I've just come up with. </p><p><strong>Breathe</strong></p><p>My upcoming single, 'Breathe' originated from a motif I was messing around with when I was in Europe. The motif began in Lebanon, and then it developed into a tiny idea when I travelled through Italy and France, and by the time the trip finished in Barcelona, I had a whole idea ready to go. I vividly recall walking through the little town of <i>Pisa</i> in the South of Italy, (think "leaning tower of Pisa") with my mini acoustic guitar hanging on my back (we couldn't leave valuables on the bus). And at some point I pulled out the guitar and hit record on my phone, playing the motif through enough times to remember it. I still have a picture somewhere on my instagram page where I'm holding that guitar next to the leaning tower. </p><p>Months later, sitting in my lounge room back in Sydney, I started playing that motif, thinking "this song really needs to get out of my head and onto paper". Once I started playing the motif, I realised that a completely different concept came to life with the same guitar motif. </p><p><strong>Natural v Manicured</strong></p><p>In songwriting, there is a certain danger of creating something that you think is original, only to find out that you've already heard it before. This is the very reason that I can never record one of my favourite songs that I've written to date, because it is VERY similar to a song written by a role model of mine. I was living in Lausanne, Switzerland at the time, and wrote the song in the tiny apartment I was living in, sitting at a beautiful old mahogany piano. Then, when I got on the train to go to uni, and listened back to the song, it was only THEN that I realised I had heard part of it before, in a slightly different way. I suspected it came from a certain album that I used to listen to religiously. I sifted through 12 songs in that album, until I found that one that I had copied, unconsciously.</p><p>In this case, I have a lot of work to do before I can actually release that one! </p><p><strong>My Debut EP</strong></p><p>My debut EP is made up of a combination of songs, some old (the oldest is about a year old) and some new. I mean <i>very new. </i>As in, I wrote the newest song a week before I went into the studio for recording. And finished it the day we recorded it. That one's called 'Movies' and I can't wait for you to hear it. It's interesting to think that 2 years ago, I thought I knew which songs would make the EP. A year ago, a good friend and experienced musician gave me some solid advice - when you've written a good song, record a demo and listen back, fiddle with it, play it live, with a band, without a band. for around 6 months (minimum) before you make any permanent decisions on what to do with that song. As they say, every time you write a new song, THAT'S your favourite song. Until you write another. And there are some songs that just never leave that "favourite song" category.</p><p>Even 6 months ago I thought I knew. But by the time it came to recording, I knew what I needed to choose. </p><p><strong>What Do I Write About?</strong></p><p>For the most part, my music navigates the process of growing up - and I don't mean physically (ha). I mean more specifically, the huge shift that occurs in our roles on this earth, and in our relationships with our family, friends, and society, when we move between childhood, teenage years, young adulthood, into adulthood. For me, a huge part of this has been empathising and understanding the process parents must go through when they give their whole lives to their children, for 20+ years, and then suddenly everyone moves on and the parents, either in a couple or single, must build their own life again. </p><p>My songs also navigate the processes of heartbreak, discovering who you are as an individual, and learning to accept the concept of human existence - living, loving, sickness, loss, dying, and everything in between. For any songwriters out there who are unsure of what direction to take with their music, my advice is this: write what comes naturally and don't do anything just to fit in. You won't please everyone <i>anyway </i>so you may as well just be yourself. </p><p>Influences</p><p>My uncle Fred used to be a DJ and producer, and has always had a passion and a talent for reading his crowd and selecting the right song for the right moment. His brain is literally a music library, updating by the day as he constantly listens to new music, and stays up to date on what's hot and what's not. Every single genre, both English music and Lebanese/European music. He is incredible. Over the years I have picked up a few important messages from him:</p><p>1. Don't wait too long to catch your audience. I.e. you usually have a 10 second window to CATCH your listener, otherwise they're out the door, (metaphorically or literally) and listening to another song, another playlist, another radio station. This means your first lyrics AND music are super important to define your song. Like the front cover of a novel, or the summary of an article online. </p><p>2. The most successful songs throughout history have been about something purely and rawly <i>human.</i> The more relatable you can be, the more successful and timeless your music will be. </p><p>A general piece of advice i've learned along the way is this:</p><p>Choose your genre (and therefore your audience) and don't be disheartened if not everyone would choose your genre as their first pick. In the same way that some people might like acoustic music, while others love EDM or jazz or heavy metal. </p><p> </p><p>Well my friends, I'm about to hear the mixes of my recordings in the next few weeks and I just can't wait to share them with the world. </p><p>In the meantime, I have a couple of shows coming up before the release, followed by my EP launch show which is TBA. Stay up to date on the socials or via my website!</p>Dani El-Rassitag:dani-elrassimusic.com,2005:Post/57433672019-05-05T11:37:52+10:002019-05-06T09:50:17+10:00Life On The Road<h2>ain't no glamorous thing. and it sure as hell isn't easy. but god it is fun.<br><span style="color:#f1c40f;"><strong>The Journey So Far</strong></span>
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<p>For years I've been writing music and dreaming of doing a formal release as an artist with my own brand and band. The lead up to recording this week was like something from the movies. It changed my entire perspective, made me feel accomplished (since I had to save so much to be able to afford the EP) and lit a fire in me that had been waiting to come to life for quite some time. </p>
<p>Michael Muchow (Moko Productions) is the producer I chose to create with and we had a blast getting to know each other whilst powering through the work. Michael is a multi-instrumentalist and has toured with and produced for multiple country and folk artists around Australia and Internationally. I really enjoyed the process because our music education and backgrounds paired quite nicely together. </p>
<p>Behind the scenes, there's a lot that goes on to create the finished product but there's also a demand for content throughout the journey. 2019 means that social media is central to what it means to be an artist and a small business. So despite my instincts telling me to ditch the phone and just enjoy the ride, every step of the way, it was important to share what was going on and what it took to get there, for the purpose of audience engagement. And my audience are loving it. I'm running with a personable theme - for someone I don't know to feel like they know me and where I am in the process of creating my art. </p>
<h3><span style="color:#f1c40f;"><strong>The Road Trip</strong></span></h3>
<p>We left Sydney on Easter Saturday and cruised up to Newcastle to stay with some family before starting the big drive the next morning at 6am. I knew it would be a week of hard work and long hours, but I think I underestimated the drive and how exhausting it would be coming back. </p>
<p>We made sure to stop in at the beaches we wanted to see, have coffee in Byron, swim at Coffs Harbour and switch drivers in sometimes frightening surroundings (literally pitch black darkness, no cars, just the stars... sounds romantic but really I've never run so fast to the driver's seat in my life).</p>
<h3><span style="color:#f1c40f;">Remembering What's Important </span></h3>
<p>Taking time to soak up my surroundings has been phenomenally important for this journey. Whether it has been sticking my head out the window slightly to see the Milky Way in all its glory, against the pitch black sky, or stopping to take a breath in Coffs Harbour after having a picnic dinner on the beach. We also stayed on a farm just outside of Brisbane and it was beautiful to be able to hear the cows in the distance and not much else.</p>
<h3><span style="color:#f1c40f;">Getting In To The Studio </span></h3>
<p>Time in the vocal booth feels like home to me - but after a while it was definitely exhausting. Less exhausting than recording the other instruments. ALSO, the reality of vocal health is not what people imagine. I did an elective subject at uni called 'Vocal Studies' and that combined with 20 years of singing lessons has significantly broadened my knowledge and understanding of what it takes to keep vocally healthy.</p>
<p>Often, it means not going out partying when other people are. It means not drinking when everyone else is. It means getting an early night despite wanting to get out and see the city that you are visiting for a short time. </p>
<p>It also means avoiding the foods that you know mess with your voice. You also need to drink heaps of water, and need to PEE every 5 minutes, which is also not such a bad thing because it gives your producer the time to label things and sort things out. </p>
<h2><span style="color:#f1c40f;">The EP Release </span></h2>
<p>Details TBA soon regarding my single release followed by the EP. There will be an EP Launch party which you are absolutely invited to! Once I hear the final mixes of the recordings, we will send them off to be mastered, to be directly transferred to your car speakers, iPhones, iPods, and radios. Can't wait! </p>Dani El-Rassi