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November 6th, 2019

Meet 2019 NewSong finalist Danielle Ponder

NewSong is proud to introduce 2019 finalist Danielle Ponder! The singer-songwriter from Rochester, New York will join our other finalists onstage at Isis Music Hall on Saturday Nov. 23 for the final competition.

Danielle performs across the U.S. with her band, Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People. The group transcends musical genres with a blast of deep, powerful groove and soul. According to Ponder, soul is more than a sound. “Soul music is something you feel,” she says. “It gives you goose bumps.”

Beyond Danielle’s musical talent, she is a passionate defense attorney, speaker and Adjunct Professor. She has dedicated the past 15 years to organizing and speaking up for marginalized communities. She has worked on issues such as education funding, women’s rights, and has spent the past 8 years working for criminal justice reform.

We asked Danielle about her musical inspirations, songwriting process and what music news she has coming up in the Q&A below. 

Connect with Danielle on her website, Facebook page, and Instagram. For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here

What are your most significant musical/artistic inspirations?

My biggest inspirations include Nina Simone and Lauryn Hill. I’m also inspired by the blues, the black experience, and the church.
 

What is your songwriting process like?

Every song has its own process. Sometime I am in the airport, a line will come to me, and before I land, I have a whole song. Other times, I want to write a song, but the exact words take forever to come. But mostly I hear the music first, and then I immediately know what words belong with the music.
 

What was your reaction to being named a NewSong finalist?

I was excited!!! I am grateful and ready to meet new people!
 

What music news would you like to share with readers?

I am releasing a single on November 22nd. I will be releasing a new album in the spring.
 
 
For more information on attending this event, please visit our Facebook event page. Buy tickets here
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