Cape Town’s Emerging Talent!
Immerse yourself in the Rhythms and Revelations as we chat with Daniel J Dunn

Step into the vibrant world of Daniel J Dunn, Cape Town’s young musical talent! We uncover the beats, breakthroughs, and the driving force behind his debut single I Don’t Need U. Join us as we delve into the heart of his musical journey, exploring the influences that shape his unique sound and the profound messages embedded in his captivating melodies. Get ready to be swept away by the rhythm and revelations in this must-read feature!”

Q: Ariana Grande, Tori Kelly, and Melanie Martinez have played a significant role in shaping your musical influences. How do you weave their styles into your unique blend of Pop, R&B, and Trap? Can you share a specific moment or song from each artist that has left a lasting impact on you?

A: My style is a blend of all these artists; my Pop/Trap influence is inspired by Ariana, known for her pop tracks with heavy trap beats. From listening to Tori Kelly, Ariana, and many more artists, I’ve learned vocal runs and riffs over the years and am still perfecting them. Melanie is a unique artist with a distinctive style, from the way she sings to how she dresses and her cool instrumentals. Perhaps in future music, I’ll draw more inspiration from her.

Ariana, my utmost favourite musician, has had many great moments in her music. One that comes to mind is in her track titled ‘My Hair’ from her sixth studio album ‘Positions,’ where at the end of the track, she sings the entire last chorus in her whistle register, which is the coolest thing ever. One of my favourite vocal moments from Tori Kelly is from her rendition of ‘Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing’ from the movie ‘Sing,’ where she does the craziest vocal run/riff that eventually went viral as a challenge on TikTok. Melanie Martinez is an amazing songwriter, and her writing skills always hit deep when listening to her music. One of my favourite tracks from her is titled ‘VOID,’ and the lyricism in that song always gets to me.

Q: Your musical journey started with choirs and was influenced by your father, a talented musician. How did these early experiences shape your current style and sound? Can you recall a specific choir performance or a musical moment with your father that stands out in your memory?

A: I sang in a professional children’s choir called ‘The Tygerberg Children’s Choir,’ and I was part of that choir for 4 years. The amount of practice and training has really helped shape my voice into what it is now, and I’m forever grateful to have been a part of that choir. My dad and I have always come together to jam in our living room, where I’ll be singing, and him playing the guitar to all our favourite songs.

Q: ‘I Don’t Need U’ is a powerful anthem about breaking free from toxic relationships and discovering self-love. How did the songwriting process unfold, especially considering it’s your inaugural venture into songwriting? Were there any challenges or breakthrough moments during the creation of the lyrics?

A: The night I wrote ‘I Don’t Need U,’ which was in 2022, I was sitting in my bed trying to write at least something, but I didn’t know how or where to start. So, I messaged one of my close friends, GIOSUÈ, who is also a singer/songwriter, and I asked him where I should start and how I can try to write my song and just like that, in 15 minutes, I already had a verse and chorus, and it just continued after that. I’m very grateful for my friend; shout out to him.

Q: Working with proficient Rock singer-songwriter and experienced full-time performing artist artist Mark Haze on your debut single must have been an exciting experience. How did the collaboration come about, and how did Mark’s expertise contribute to the overall creative process and expert production? Were there any memorable moments from the recording session that you can share?

A: Working with Mark was amazing. This was my first time recording in a studio, and Mark made the experience super enjoyable. He understood my vision, and I took his advice. Mark and I met on New Year’s one year where he was performing, and from there, I was introduced to him. A year later, I got his number, and I played him the demo for ‘I Don’t Need U,’ and from there, we got to work. Every part of the creation of my song is a memorable moment, and Mark is just a brilliant producer, musician, and friend. I am so grateful that I could work with him.

Q: Your debut single emphasizes the importance of self-love and independence. How do you envision your music making a difference in the lives of your listeners? In what ways do you hope your music will contribute to their journey of self-discovery and empowerment?

A: I have no expectation that my song will move mountains, but I hope it makes an impact, even if it’s small. If there’s one person who can take something from it, I’m happy. I hope people will find self-love because it’s something I find important.

Q: The song revolves around themes of emerging from a toxic relationship and realizing one’s self-worth. Can you delve deeper into the emotions and personal experiences that inspired the lyrics? How do you hope listeners will connect with and interpret the message behind ‘I Don’t Need U’?

A: I hope my music won’t just portray what I intend as the meaning of a song but also capture what it means to the listener and how they interpret it. I want my listeners to resonate with my music on a deeper level, not just the surface-level meaning if they can find it.

Q: Your presence on platforms like YouTube and TikTok has showcased your talent through live music covers. You even caught the attention of Sabrina Carpenter through these platforms. How has the experience of performing covers on social media influenced your musical growth and connected you with your audience? Are there specific covers that hold sentimental value for you, and do you plan to continue sharing them alongside your original works?

A: I started making covers on YouTube in 2020, and then, during COVID, TikTok became more popular, so I joined the bandwagon and posted my first video in 2022. It was a cover of Sabrina Carpenter’s song ‘Decode’ from her fifth studio album titled ‘Emails I Can’t Send.’ The night I posted that video, I was in bed watching a Netflix show when a notification came through that Sabrina Carpenter had liked and commented on my video. At first, I thought it might be a fan account, but I checked, and it was her. It was so cool, especially since it was on my first TikTok, which really felt good. Recently, I posted a cover of Ariana’s newest track titled ‘Yes, and?’ It brought in 14k views on Instagram, which was also cool and an accomplishment for sure. I will be continuing to post covers alongside my original music; it’s been my thing, and I’m not ready to stop making covers.

Q: In what way do you believe your debut single ‘I Don’t Need U’ establishes the narrative for your musical journey? What specific message or emotion do you aim for listeners to glean from this inaugural chapter of your music career?

A: With this release, I want to showcase my vocal abilities and what I have to offer as an artist. This serves as the introduction to ‘Daniel J Dunn.’ I hope this release sends a strong message of self-love because it is something that is important in my life right now.

Q: As a 17-year-old musician, what are your aspirations and goals for the future? How do you see your music evolving, and are there specific milestones or collaborations you dream of achieving?

A: Some of my goals are small, such as being played on the radio for the first time, building a fan base, and making friends in the industry, etc. The obvious answer to my dream collaborations would be Ariana Grande, but I would really like to collaborate with some of my favourite South African musicians like Jimmy Nevis, Tyla, Will Linley, Elaine, Shekinah, etc. They make our country proud with their achievements, and I hope to someday do the same.

Q: As your fan base continues to expand, encompassing friends and family alike, what would you like to express to your supporters? How do you plan to forge a connection with them through your music, and what exciting developments can they anticipate in your upcoming musical ventures?

A: I hope my future fans can truly feel a connection to my music, whether it’s the lyrics or the music itself. I want to create a safe space in my music for people to immerse themselves in. I would say I’m an all-rounder when it comes to music because there is no genre I don’t love. So, they can expect a few surprises along the journey.

Watch out world and keep an ear out for this rising talent from Cape Town, as his transformative melodies promise to be the soundtrack of a new generation. Stay tuned, for his story has just begun, and Daniel J Dunn is poised to leave his mark on the world of music.

Stream I Don’t Need U by Daniel J Dunn featuring Mark Haze from Friday, 9 February on all platforms.

Connect with Daniel J Dunn on social media:
Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

About Daniel J Dunn
Daniel J Dunn is a 17-year-old emerging artist from Cape Town, South Africa, with a passion for creating soulful and impactful music. His debut single, ‘I Don’t Need U,’ featuring Mark Haze, is a powerful testament to his artistry and promises a transformative musical experience for listeners.

Connect with Mark Haze on social media:
Facebook | TwitterInstagram | YouTube

About Producer & Featuring Artist Mark Haze
South African Singer-Songwriter and full-time touring musician Mark Haze is known for his wide vocal range and electric large live performances. Mark skilfully delivers a signature combination of high energy Rock ‘n Roll and silky Old-school Soul, fused with raw emotional Blues … guaranteed to have audiences singing along on their feet!

On-stage Mark oozes charisma, with the distinctive ability to confidently command both large audiences, and personally connect with audiences in intimate venues – not an easy task when moving from large stages with a full band to a smaller acoustic setup where he is face to face with the audience. His powerful soaring vocals, skilled soulful guitar playing, and pulsing rhythms are a force to be reckoned with, delivering a show experience like no other – an escape into a world where nothing else matters, where you find yourself lost in the moment and his music. Each performance is treated as though it would be his last.

Off-stage, Mark shows appreciation for his fans, always taking the time to meet them at every show. Mark shares that “I believe to really love music, is to find the beauty in all forms and genres and embrace it

Mark is a natural showman with influences ranging from Rock Icons like Queen, The Beatles & Lenny Kravitz, Blues Masters Eric Clapton & B.B. King, to modern artists like Bruno Mars, The Weekend, Fallout Boy & Jack Garrat. Mark is known for experimenting sonically, merging contemporary Pop & Electronic Cultures with the historic timelessness and beauty of Rock, Soul, and Blues.

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