Feature: Dani Hagan Decodes ‘Kissing You’
Can you share any interesting or unique stories or perspectives in 'Kissing You?'
Well, the title track was the first song I ever wrote on my Gretsch guitar. It’s such a simple guitar line, but my producer Mikal Blue insisted on keeping it just as it was, the simplicity of it was the best part. There was a big lesson in that statement for me. The song itself is really about one last kiss goodbye. But “Kissing You” as the title of the EP is more of an invitation. It’s rock and roll, but there is always going to be a flirtatious nature to my music, a feminine romantic side wrapped up in the rock.
What is your personal favorite song from 'Kissing You' and why?
It’s so hard to choose, they are all anthems from moments in time for me. The title track holds a lot of sentiment, I’m the only writer on the song and as I mentioned, it’s the first song I wrote on my electric guitar. That song lit up the path to my future. “Good Guy” is a lot of fun, I got to write it with Mikal Blue and Dalton Cyr. I wanted a song to celebrate the good men in my life. “Too Much” makes my heart race, “I Lose It” is so truthful, and “Anywhere But Home” is just a lot of fun. I can honestly say, I love all the music I’ve recorded!
What did you enjoy most about making 'Kissing You?'
The creative process is my favorite part, writing, developing, recording, collaborating, filming, all of it! But also touring and connecting with audiences has been deeply fulfilling for me.
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
I grew up in a very creative house. I started teaching myself piano at age 5 so my parents started enrolling me into every artistic program they could find. I started writing songs at 9. I had a lot of traditional vocal training, but it wasn’t until I bought my first guitar in NYC that I really broke out of the mould and found my own real sound. Getting to work with so many legendary musicians along the way, like Jeff Barry, Mikal Blue, Ron Dante, Gregg Bissonette, all the while coming up with all the talent of my peers, my bandmates and friends, I’m always inspired by the company I keep.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process and how your lyrics and melodies come together?
I always keep a lyric book and colorful pens nearby, as I’m always writing. The best songs just fall out of me nearly fully developed with both lyrics and melodies. I play guitar and piano, but I’m so grateful to have my co-writers like Aaron Medina, Rome DeLuce and Art Santora who are pro instrumentalists, so I can really lean into my strengths as a singer and songwriter and not be held back by trying to accompany myself. They do what they do best and so do I, and we always end up with something musically magical. I try not to strong-arm my creative flow, I just create space for it to happen without judgment or expectation. Late nights with a glass of wine and an open heart often lead to great songs. But so do collaborations and songwriting exercises.