Last week, Leah Daniels found out she was nominated for five Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) awards, including the awards for Single of the Year, Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. When she found out, she couldn't believe her eyes. "It was so crazy!" she said. "It's such an honour to be nominated and it's extra special because it's the industry that picks the nominees." Daniels, along with Jason Blaine and Tebey, leads the nominees with five nominations. This wasn't just an honor for Daniels, but it was a defining moment. "Sometimes I find I get so caught up in my work and music that I loose the ability to measure my success," she said, "but moments like those make you stop and realize — okay I am on the right track!"
Leah Daniels didn't start off her musical journey intending to be a country music singer and songwriter. Her early influences included Canadian favorites Sarah McLachlan and Celine Dion. "[Sarah] inspired me to write and play piano," said Daniels. "And then there was Celine Dion! I would sing her songs for hours and try to match her powerful vocals." Her first big country influence was her grandfather, who she said "would always be singing and playing old country-western music." It wasn't till after she graduated high school that she realized that she was meant to be a country singer. "I didn't even realize it until a friend told me 'Leah, this could be a country song!'" she recounts. "Ha! I didn't stop after that!"
Even though country music came a bit later, Daniels fell in love with performing young, at her first talent show to be exact. "Something about the transfer of energy between an audience and myself is addictive for me," said Daniels. Although she describes her sound as country/pop, when she's playing live, "it probably leans more towards country/rock!" said Daniels. "It's honest music, songs about the ups and downs of life & relationships.
Even though country music came a bit later, Daniels fell in love with performing young, at her first talent show to be exact. "Something about the transfer of energy between an audience and myself is addictive for me," said Daniels. Although she describes her sound as country/pop, when she's playing live, "it probably leans more towards country/rock!" said Daniels. "It's honest music, songs about the ups and downs of life & relationships.
What It Feels Like is the name of Daniels's debut album, and it's an album that discusses the pain but also the beauty of love and heartbreak — and of really feeling for the first time. "Dream Without You" is the song on the record that Daniels is the most proud of because she said, "it's a song from my heart." Written with Beverley Mahood & Patricia Conroy, Daniels and her fellow songwriters just received Songwriter(s) of the Year nomination for the song at the CMAO's. "It was such a natural writing session," Daniels said of the writing process, "and I loved the song so much I put two different versions on my album!"
The process of putting together her debut album was a difficult, but rewarding process. "I spent a lot of time writing for this album in Toronto and in Nashville," said Daniels. "I really wanted to take the time to collect the best songs." Her and her team ended up with around 40 songs to chose from and they narrowed that list down to 10 tracks. "It was tough," she said, "but with the help of my management team, friends and family we were able to mostly all agree on the final 10!
The process of putting together her debut album was a difficult, but rewarding process. "I spent a lot of time writing for this album in Toronto and in Nashville," said Daniels. "I really wanted to take the time to collect the best songs." Her and her team ended up with around 40 songs to chose from and they narrowed that list down to 10 tracks. "It was tough," she said, "but with the help of my management team, friends and family we were able to mostly all agree on the final 10!
"Go Back" was the first single off of What it Feels Like, and also her first Top 20 radio hit. "It's about sticking up for yourself and what you have," she said. It's one of the highlights of her debut record, and quite representative of the sound and vibe of her debut album. If you haven't heard of Daniels until now, this is the song of hers that she recommends you listen to first.
5 of Leah's favorite songs right now!
Being a women of country from Canada, Daniels has had a first-hand look into the music scene for women in both Canada and Nashville. "I think breaking a song at radio is hard no matter who you are when you are first starting out," she said regarding the country music scene in the different countries. "In Canada, the country scene is much more spread out, but in Nashville you have this town that is bursting with music and talent everywhere that you go. I always come back from Nashville feeling so inspired."
As for women of country, Daniels said, "I think the music scene is getting better as far as male to female ratios go." But her advice for other up and coming women? "Be true to yourself! There are going to be a lot of people that think they know what's best for you, or what you should sound like and they may be right, but you have to have the confidence and self-awareness to choose what is right for you in that moment," she said. "Trust your gut."
As for women of country, Daniels said, "I think the music scene is getting better as far as male to female ratios go." But her advice for other up and coming women? "Be true to yourself! There are going to be a lot of people that think they know what's best for you, or what you should sound like and they may be right, but you have to have the confidence and self-awareness to choose what is right for you in that moment," she said. "Trust your gut."
Follow Leah and her musical journey!
Twitter: @LeahDaniels
Instagram: @imleahdaniels
Facebook: Leah Daniels
Website: leahdaniels.com
Twitter: @LeahDaniels
Instagram: @imleahdaniels
Facebook: Leah Daniels
Website: leahdaniels.com
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