Exclusive: Indie-Pop Singer Danielle Deckard Shares Inspo For New EP

American expat living in Sydney, Danielle Deckard, reveals her musical influences.

Ever so often a musician comes along whose talent is as undeniable as their music is as profound. Singer songwriter Danielle Deckard, a New Jersey native based out of Sydney, Australia, is an artist that truly delivers on all accounts. Featuring a unique blend of lush melodies and rich instrumentation, her style of indie pop is a pleasure to listen to; but it’s through her heartfelt lyrics and profound talent as a songwriter, that Danielle’s musical nuance and creative voice truly shines.

To help celebrate the one-year anniversary of her debut 2015 EP, End of the World, a new deluxe version will be released on iTunes on July 8, featuring five new acoustic tracks. A video for the title track will also be released the same day, in addition to a handful of intimate shows scheduled for her Australian tour next month.

Jetset Times had the opportunity to interview the talented young musician and talk to her about her critically acclaimed EP, the importance of songwriting in her music, and life as an American expat living in Sydney.

As the recipient of the Bart Howard Songwriting Scholarship at Berklee College of Music, it goes without saying that songwriting must play an important role in your music. How important is songwriting to you as an artist, and which singer/songwriters inspired you when you first started making music?

Songwriting is my favorite part of being an artist. It’s what I started out doing from the very beginning, and there’s nothing else quite like it. For me, the song is the most important thing to create. Without it nothing else really matters—not the production, not the mix, not the performance. There has to be a great song to back that all up. When I was a kid I remember listening to Jewel and Sarah McLachlan. I used to have piano songbooks and spend hours just trying to figure out how to read the chord symbols and sing along.

Your debut EP End of the World has garnered much praise, what would you like listeners to feel and take away when they hear your EP?

The EP is all about anxiety and fear of failure, but even more so about fear of living, and nothing being the way you expected it to be. All of that stuff can really hold you back, but it can be so hard to break out of it. More than anything, I want people who are feeling the same way to know that it’s ok to allow yourself to feel those things. I want them to know that they’re not alone. That’s what music has always been about for me. Listening to something and completely connecting with and relating to the artist and the song.

As an expat American living in Sydney, Australia, how has the city inspired you and your music?

Sydney is obviously gorgeous, but I tend to be inspired by emotion rather than scenery. When I first moved over it was during a transition in my life. There was a lot of self-doubt happening. But then I would walk around the corner and be in some ridiculous looking bay full of sunshine and boats and think, “Ok, things could be way worse. Time to stop feeling sorry for myself.” I think that’s reflected in my songwriting. Even when I’m writing about feeling like everything is crap, there’s still a silver lining.

Do you think touring has allowed you to see a different side of the world that the average traveler isn’t exposed to?

So much different. I’m always winding up in strange little towns, that I just never would have made it to if it weren’t for playing a show there. For me, traveling has never just been about going to the New Yorks of the world. I find small places super interesting.

Where’s your favorite place to play a show, and if you could play a dream gig at any venue in the world, where would it be?

I really love playing at Hibernian House in Surry Hills for something really intimate and acoustic. Dream venue would have to be Red Rocks.

If you could only name three artists that you would most like to collaborate with, whom would they be and why?

Bruce Springsteen because he’s the boss; he’s a crazy good songwriter and tells incredible stories. Ingrid Michaelson because her melodies bring me to tears; she’s my biggest influence as far as sound goes and her just keeps changing for the better. I’m constantly impressed by new material she releases. Also, in my dreams I’m best friends with her and Sara Bareilles. Ryan Adams because he’s so prolific and it never gets old. Ten years ago, I remember discovering Heartbreaker and listening to nothing but that for months. Last year, I did the same thing with 1989.

What’s your favorite way to relax on tour?

Drinking lots of coffee in cafés. And going on a run through each place. You really get to see more of the place that way.

How has traveling influenced you as a person and as an artist?

There’s so much out there. Moving to the other side of the world just makes me realize that even more, and take to heart that anything is possible. The options feel limitless for my life and for my music.

Where’s your next tour destination?

I’m playing Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne in July for a small tour. I have not spent nearly enough time in Melbourne, so I always look forward to getting over there. And then I’m going to end it with a little holiday in Tasmania, where I’m going to hole up in a little cottage on Bruny Island with a fireplace. That’s my perfect vacation.

Jerry Alonzo Leon

Contributor

Jerry's favorite country to travel to is Spain. When he's on the road, he keeps it real simple with a pen and a pad. His travel style is spontaneous, easygoing, and always in search of a great adventure.