Danika Smith Suit Of Armour Interview

Suit Of Armour

Few transcend the borderlines of folk and soul quite as seamlessly as Melbourne based artist Danika Smith. Entering the world in the early 2010s with rough recordings of honeyed vocals and humble guitar, Smith was shortlisted for Triple J's Unearthed competition, earning her spot plays on the national broadcaster and instant recognition as an artist to watch. Nearing the end of the decade, Smith's swift ascension within the Melbourne music scene has seen her contribute to music from the likes of 30/70, TomGirl, Allysha Joy and more, all the while tinkering away at her first official solo material. Now, the time has finally come to debut Danika Smith's first studio recording with 'Suit Of Armour' out Wednesday 14 August. Lifted from her forthcoming debut LP currently under wraps, Danika Smith will launch her debut single at a special co-headline show with Melbourne's Harmony Byrne this September.

Incubating for the past few years, Danika Smith's rebirth comes with a renewed sense of experimentation on 'Suit Of Armour'. Her vocals ooze with a matured husk that has as much to say about the artist's own blossoming career as it does her impeccable choice of studio helping hands which include the likes of mastering engineer Lachlan Carrick and Grammy-nominated producer Nick Herrera. Supported by a truly magnificent line-up of Paul Bender (Hiatus Kaiyote, Swooping Duck) on bass and Maria Moles (Jaala, On Diamond) on drums, Smith's perfected vocals and avant-garde songwriting carry a weight that can only be buoyed by such strength. The result is a refined display of immense talent and an exciting first taste of so much more to come.

Upcoming Performances
Harmony Byrne homecoming show + Danika Smith 'Suit of Armour' launch

Saturday 14 September
Geddes Lane Ballroom, Melbourne
Tickets: geddeslaneballroom.com

Strawberry Fields Festival 2019
29 November - 1 December
www.strawberry-fields.com.au

Interview with Danika Smith

Question: How would you describe your music?

Danika Smith: The lyrics are mostly introspective, emotive, kind of sad, but the music itself is lush, rich and immersive.


Question: Can you tell us about Suit Of Armour?

Danika Smith: Suit of Armour is a song I wrote when I was maybe 21. I was hanging out with a guy, and I could feel this hardened and defensive internal world form, as some sort of protective thing. I used music to dissect these self-observations to find out why.

Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Danika Smith: Honesty and finding my own truth. It's easy to get super confused and unsure of how to feel about certain things In life. I've found music, specifically lyric writing, to be an opportunity to be as honest as I can with myself. It also provides a space to reflect on heavy emotions, which is crucial to being a human. We all have struggles, and I feel lucky to have an art form to express that. I really hope that my sharing my music others can get in touch with their own inner worlds and workings.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Danika Smith: I am really into the recording side of things at the moment. Recording my album has been such a great time! You can capture so many elements that a live performance can't deliver. Now the challenge is bringing the album Alive with a band and a whole choir of backing vocalists!


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Danika Smith: If I'm playing solo, I love to perform 'Down Love'. It's challenging to play and it's a unique sound. I'm really looking forward to doing 'For my baby' with the band and choir because it has a few different parts that I can't do all on my lonesome and i think it will be super satisfying with the whole ensemble.


Question: What should we expect from your upcoming tour?

Danika Smith: I'm doing a single launch in Melbourne, as the upcoming event to keep your eyes on. It's going to be a luscious affair, with a huge crew bringing the music to life. The biggest ensemble I've ever done. 20 people, including an all-female choir, as supporting women in music is something I want to be a part of. It's powerful getting lots of amazing women together, in what is clearly a male dominated industry.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?
Danika Smith: Aldous Harding. Though I have a feeling she's pretty introverted, so I don't know if she'd enjoy herself. Maybe the music would make it worth it. Maybe she's not introverted at all.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Danika Smith: Well if the last question didn't already give it away, I'm a big fan of Aldous Harding. She set the tone for me, and it gave me a sort of permission to be free and experimental in the studio. I was always striving to be a bit of a mash of things, and I just felt so inspired by her own record, first party, and now designer, both just so good. Definitely my cup of tea.

I also have been listening to harmony Byrne, Allysha Joy, and lots of powerhouse groups from Melbourne's music scene.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Danika Smith: I think music has always been in me. I used to day dream of being a guitar playing singer. When I first tried to learn the guitar in primary school; my teacher wouldn't teach me because I was left handed, so I did piano instead. I wrote my first full song at 14, got some guitar lessons and started busking at 15, got top 6 in Triple J Unearthed High when I was 16, and just haven't looked back. The right things happened at the right time to send me on my way.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Danika Smith: Realistically probably Julia Jacklin, we're on a similar tip, reclaiming our autonomy, our bodies, our voices as women in this world. I really like her music and our voices would blend pretty nicely.


Question: What's a typical day like?
Danika Smith: Wake up between 8-10am, take the dog for a walk/run/bike/ride to the park, or maybe to the Preston Markets for a coffee and a sourdough croissant. Grab some veggies. Then maybe a rehearsal, hustle some money and invoices, pay bills, and then maybe have a little stretch in front of the heater and head out to a gig/ or have a big home cooked meal with friends.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Danika Smith: Probably finding my people. Finding my family, and being able to cultivate a really lush space to create. Life feels rich, technicolour, intense. Lots of self-healing, talking care of self, and dreaming.


Question: Can you share your socials?

Danika Smith: @danikasmithmusic


Interview by Brooke Hunter