{"id":18,"date":"2011-11-24T06:05:02","date_gmt":"2011-11-24T06:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.moxieq.com\/?p=21472"},"modified":"2018-07-29T04:24:19","modified_gmt":"2018-07-29T04:24:19","slug":"backstage-with-daniela-brooker-the-new-princess-of-power-pop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theduanewells.com\/staging3\/backstage-with-daniela-brooker-the-new-princess-of-power-pop\/","title":{"rendered":"Backstage with Daniela Brooker: The New Princess of \u2018Power Pop\u2019?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Daniela<\/a><\/p>\n

Watching Daniela Brooker<\/a> for the first time on stage at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood recently, I was duly blown away. She has that thing. That tonal quality in her voice that forces you to stop and listen, not only because of its distinctiveness but because it conveys so much with its every inflection. On that night, all wrapped in one very bubbly package, the 18-year old British\/Venezualan songstress embodied the classic soulfulness of Adele, the youthful, girly playfulness of Katy Perry and the edginess of Avril Lavigne during a quick set that included her dancelicious single \u201cSummer Love\u201d and the funky \u201cTurn It Up\u201d.<\/p>\n

She calls her sound \u2018Power Pop\u2019. \u201cIt\u2019s a little bit of soul, it\u2019s a little bit of dance, but it can be a bit meaningful,\u201d she told me backstage with a laugh after the show, by which time I was already a fan\u2026full stop. During our confab, Daniela gave me the skinny on her new music, the big Arena tour where you can catch her doing her thing next month, and some of her favorite places in her native London.<\/p>\n

\"RodolfoValentini\"<\/a>So you\u2019re from London\u2026is that where you recorded your album?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes. I recorded everything in the UK but I\u2019d really love to come here to the States and record here as well.<\/p>\n

What inspires that big, rich, mature, retrosoul sound of yours?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I have always listened to Etta James, Christina Aguilera\u2026the big, big voices. So that\u2019s always influenced me. But I\u2019ve also listened to so many different styles of music. I\u2019m a big jazz fan but I Iove rock n\u2019 roll and I love pop music\u2026I love dance\u2026so I kind of draw my influences from all over and try to put into one sound.<\/p>\n

If you had to choose a place or destination that best evokes your sound, what would it be?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s really weird, when I\u2019m recording in the UK, I always tell British producers that I want [my music] to sound really American, so I think the destination would be America. That\u2019s what I aim for.<\/p>\n

Any particular place?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Here. In Hollywood. It\u2019s the kind of place you want to be. I love it here.<\/p>\n

So this is your first US tour, but I hear you\u2019re going out on the road in your native UK later this year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, I start in December. I\u2019m the support act for The Saturdays, a girl band, and it\u2019s a big arena UK tour. It\u2019s like 20 days long\u2026every day. I\u2019m really excited.<\/p>\n

\"Daniela<\/a>What do you enjoy most about touring?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t really like a 9-to-5 kind of life. I like being really spontaneous and not having a routine and just being a bit free. And I love performing so I like being able to do that every day. And I get on with my fans so well\u2026we\u2019re\u00a0 all friends but the\u2019yre more like old uncles! [Laughs]<\/p>\n

Is there a venue that you dream of performing in?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I really want to be able to play one of the old venues in New York City\u2026whichever one\u2026<\/p>\n

Maybe the Apollo?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yeah! I\u2019d love that. [Laughs] I\u2019d love something like that. Next time.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the one thing you never leave home without when you hit the road?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The one thing I never leave home without are these little black boots\u2026they\u2019re rock n\u2019 roll boots\u2026I throw them on everywhere when I\u2019m traveling. My dad says they\u2019re disgusting and I shouldn\u2019t wear them but I think they look so cool.<\/p>\n

And what\u2019s your best travel tip?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Always check for your phone charger. How many times have I forgotten it and been stuck! If you\u2019re traveling abroad and your phone dies\u2026it\u2019s like the worst case scenario.<\/p>\n

So back to London\u2026what part of London are you from?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Wimbledon.<\/p>\n

Take me on a tour of your favorite places in London.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I love Chelsea. I\u2019m a little bit of girly-girl so I like a bit of shopping. [Laughs] Another place I love is Notting Hill because it\u2019s a really creative and very bohemian. I love going to Hyde Park, which is a big park in the center of London. And then fourth would probably be Wimbledon village where I actually live. It\u2019s a beautiful little village but it\u2019s still London\u2026it doesn\u2019t feel like it\u2019s in the countryside. It\u2019s got lovely boutiques, restaurants and some small music venues that are amazing.<\/p>\n

\"Duane-Daniela<\/a>Speaking of music venues, what\u2019s the inside track on the hottest place to catch live music in London at the moment?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

I recently played the Indigo at the O2 Arena. There\u2019s the O2 Arena and there\u2019s the Indigo inside. It\u2019s got a capacity of about 3,000 and the most amazing sound ever. They always have really good acts on so I would recommend that.<\/p>\n

Final question, is there a secret place in London you escape to\u2026somewhere that says \u2018Daniela\u2019?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In central London, there\u2019s this little cafe called Napkin and it\u2019s the most amazing place. There\u2019s this little door and then you go inside and it\u2019s all black and very zsa zsa and glamorous, but it\u2019s tiny. You can\u2019t really know of it unless you\u2019ve been shown there. I like to go there for a coffee with my mum sometimes.<\/p>\n

And where is this hidden gem\u2026now that the cat is out of the bag?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s just off New Bond Street\u2026a little side road. It\u2019s really nice.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reservations anyone?<\/p>\n

Find out more about Daniela Brooker at www.danielabrooker.com<\/a> and catch her on the road with the Saturdays this December in the UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n