PRESS
"WAITING TO FLY (Part I) ---- An artist who started in crunchy Boulder and has migrated back to the nightclub climes of NYC, Danielle Antonio brings a sound to the "Women of Substance" movement so committed as to the point of being a nonconformist. She enjoys paying tribute to retro styles and, like songstresses of the 70s and 90s, her cadenced approach reminds you there still exists a developed and sophisticated singer-songwriter genre. One with genuine standards by which vocal styling and a competent musician’s approach must be measured. In "Elements", Danielle is as dextrous in her keyboard colorings as in her vocal stylings. She imparts improvisational flavor in common interplay with other musicians, both in the studio and on stage. But these dual abilities of voice/piano need the harnessing of a good producer, one who could let the listener fully experience the width and breadth of her potential, and take her talents to a more conspicuous and deserving level of appreciation."
"WAITING TO FLY" (Part II) ---- Danielle has the ability to switch adopted influences with almost every changing song on "Elements". In the opening track “Caught In A Landslide”, she co-opts the lilting vibrato of Ronnie Spector, as she opens lyricly with the concern, “Too much illusion in the air.” She successfully layers her multi-registering voice behind, above, and below, weaving a nuanced, pleasing audial tapestry. “Got No Go” has an evocative tenderness that adopts a synthesis of beauty and pain with lyrics like, “Used to think that starry nights could make me shine.” It displays the melancholy effect of the conclusion of a mature mind resolving the anger of one’s youth. Both songs “Hold A Candle” and “Hurricane” curiously and separately deal with religious disillusionment and/or disengagement, made possible by the discovery of romantic love. While “Candle” adopts a jazzy, slight Sade sound, “Hurricane" brings us the grooved soul of Aretha.
With her debut CD, Elements, Danielle Antonio delivers a set of savvy songs that are blues-infused, 70s-inspired, and poetically crafted. I thoroughly enjoyed the vast musical styles that Elements showcases. While some songs orient towards piano-based pop-rock, others are chock full of jazz-inspired progressions, and some have underlying funky rhythms and bass lines. There is solid musicality and songwriting on Elements, which is an excellent first release from this independent female artist. Danielle's vocals are strong and to the point. Her sometimes confessional, sometimes societal, sometimes love-broken lyrics are definitely poignant. Having more uptempo tracks than ballads, this CD energizes me and has an overall positive vibe. "Caught In A Landslide" has a pulsating forward-motion and a memorable melody. "Hold A Candle" and "Hurricane" have definite hook-worthy choruses, and "Why Oh Why" has a beautiful bridge (that part of the song which deviates from the verse and chorus). The studio work on Elements offers solid production and instrumental arrangements. At times though I wish there were more layered-guitar tracks or some guitar solos, especially in the blues-driven songs. Danielle often relies on layers of background vocals -- some could be replaced by a good instrument line or two. She does show off some of her key-friendly styling in both "Stringing Me Along" and "Come Togetha". All in all, Elements is a good first listen. I will be back for seconds.
Starting out as a singer/songwriter in Denver, CO in 2001, Danielle Antonio has built a library of songs and a score of experiences. Her first original CD, "Elements", displays a love of rock and roll, 60's era Motown and 1970's soul. Elements is all of interesting, at times exciting and mostly successful. Hold A Candle could have walked right off a Phil Spector record, and Hurricane is a soulful rocker that in itself makes this a worthwhile purchase. Stringing Me Along builds on a strong blues/soul riff and a quasi-disco beat to make a great party/dance song. Other highlights include the straightforward Caught In A Landslide, the bluesy Got No Go and Shadows Of The Moon, which has a bit of a country twang to it. Overall this is an excellent album and all indications point to a bright musical future for Danielle Antonio.
"You truly rocked at this year's NYC Marathon. It was a huge success and I really thank you for being a part of making it happen. As race entertainment, you guys played such an important role in keeping the 39,000 runners motivated and energized throughout the course. I can't begin to tell you about all of the amazing feedback I received this year. Thank you so much for sharing your talent and enthusiasm with the runners, spectators, and NYC community. Your efforts are definitely appreciated and noticed by many . . . I really hope that you plan on returning to perform in 2009, it was a pleasure working with you!"
"Your voice is exquisite, and I'm really enjoying your music - it's R&B tinged, like Nina Storey's. Let me know when you make it out to the SF Bay Area."
"Danielle Antonio and her band got us started off with some great original music. Her mellow pop vibe set the stage, and the bar, for this edition of NY's talented bands."
