Celestial singer-songwriter Dani Sylvia released her majestic new single Lithium in September via Little Misery Records.

The single is a brooding slice of atmospheric electronica from the offset. Combining shimmering melodies with smooth, sultry vocals, Lithium feels instantly reminiscent of the likes of BANKS or VÉRITÉ’s ability to create undeniably entrancing soundscapes. Dani’s lyrics are both powerful and poignant, reflecting the compelling message behind the song seamlessly. Talking about the single, Dani elaborates, “Lithium is about many things; self-sabotage, self-destruction, fear… but ultimately, hope and knowing that feelings are never permanent. For me, it is about the secrets we keep, bad coping-strategies and the lies we tell to those around us so that they don’t worry about us, preferring to learn how to heal yourself rather than leaning on others. It’s about the place we go to in our minds to face ourselves head-on and fully feel the pain/shame/loneliness/fear. It’s only by doing this alone that we can be ‘found’.”

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Dani about her newest project, challenges, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre(s) or style(s)?

I have an eclectic mix of genres I’m attracted to and I never want to land on any single one of them, simply because making music in just one style would bore me to tears. At the moment I’m really into rock and I’m listening to a lot of late nineties/early naughties emo!  However, a few months ago I was listening to a lot of RnB and soul. It changes like the wind. I would say the majority of the music I write falls under the umbrella of ‘pop’ and that the storytelling lyrics and upfront raw-sounding vocal underpin my style. What attracted me to this is my desire to communicate the lyrics clearly as they are more important to me than anything else. 

What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?

I trained to be an actress at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama but found no real fulfilment treading the boards once I graduated. I found most of my satisfaction came from performing as a singer (which I was doing part time to earn money). I had written (really worrying) poetry since I was a creepy little weird emo child and had started writing actual songs around age sixteen. It just all kind of poured out of me as soon as I realised that this was always what was most natural to me. My desire to deliver my music to the public comes from my insatiable need to communicate what I learn about life to the listener. It also comes from a love of storytelling. I think it also comes from my desire to order my pain and my chaotic thoughts into something more structured and clear. 

Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?

I am a fan of music in general. There are definitely genres I don’t love, but in general I am always up for being inspired by someone else’s creation, or at least giving it a shot. I would say that the people closest to me influence my creativity: those I love or those that hurt me (sometimes they are one in the same). I find this hard to answer as I think the thing that influences me is just life and all the everyday things, feelings and people in it. I grew up on MJ, Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child and Tony Braxton. I then switched to Avril Lavigne, Panic! at the Disco and Jacks Mannequin as a teen (with a sexy sprinkling of Christina Aguilera’s ‘Stripped’ album…so good!). Right now I’m harking back to that time a lot, but my favourite artist is Frank Ocean and favourite band are The 1975. 

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?

I wanted to release ‘Lithium’ as it felt like the right time to give a little inkling into the feel of my debut album ‘The Witching Hour’, due for release next year. Quite simply I wanted to put ‘Lithium’ out with the hope that people would connect with the words and want to dance to the sexy bass-line and beat. Music is to be shared, and I think sometimes if you wait too long you can overthink it. 

What was the last song you listened to?

‘I always wanna die (sometimes)’ by The 1975.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

I prefer CDs because I grew up on them. My absolute favourite thing to do was to take out the front insert and study the lyrics. My Destiny’s Child one was ruined from overuse! Lyrics remain, to this day, the most important, satisfying and fun component to me. 

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

I like Apple Music and Spotify equally and use them the same amount. Soundcloud is useful for pre-release music sharing too. But I mean, I don’t hold any strong feelings about any of them..

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?

This is probably a routine answer but I really struggle with social media as I find the whole thing dangerous, vacuous and fake. I’m reluctant to be a part of something that is bad for everyone’s mind so it makes me angry. However, I’m told continuously that I just need to get over myself and do it… so I do. However, I’m no selfie queen and try to keep it just to music promotion as I can’t seem to make myself care about posting anything else. I have to be really careful to take breaks from it when I feel it irritating me, as it’s the sort of thing that could destroy the desire to keep creating if the constant pressure to self promote feels soulless (and like you’re shouting into an abyss). If we have to buy ‘ ikes’ to feel valuable and worthy or correct the shape of our faces in photoshop, then there’s something very very askew and our minds are perhaps becoming as unwell as our planet (maybe it’s all connected?). 

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?

The best place to connect with me is, ironically, on Instagram or Twitter etc haha. Slide on into the DMs. My handle is @danisylviamusic and you can also keep up with any latest news via my website www.danisylvia.com. I released six EPs in six months over the last year in a project called ‘Catharsix’. You can listen to it on Spotify/iTunes or any other online store. There are lots and lots of songs of mine already out and LOADS more to come next year! 

Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?

I have a headline show on November 23rd in London – all details will be on my socials very soon!