Danielle Ponder - Look Around
INTERVIEW | DANIELLE PONDER TALKS ABOUT HER NEW SONG – ‘LOOK AROUND’
New York vocalist Danielle Ponder hooks up with Melbourne instrumental soul outfit Karate Boogaloo on her latest track, “Look Around,” a song for and in solidarity with BIPOC around the world.
Danielle Ponder | Photo: Hannah Betts
“Look Around” mirrors the current climate pervading the world. Written in the studio with the band, while Danielle was in Melbourne, initially the song zeroed in on the firestorm raging through Australia. Yet as time passed and more catastrophes consumed the globe, followed by the death of George Floyd, igniting passionate calls for justice, “Look Around” donned greater significance.
Danielle shares, “Fires were raging through Australia and smoke covered the sky. It felt like all of our human sins had gotten the best of us and we were paying a price. I didn’t know that when I arrived back home in the U.S, the world would only get darker. I feel like my past self wrote this song for my future self, knowing what was to come.”
The chemistry between Danielle and Karate Boogaloo is immediately discernible on “Look Around,” as if they’d played together for years rather than hours. The impact of Black Lives Matter carries vast weight in Australia, where indigenous people suffer similar repercussions.
Rawckus Magazine caught with Danielle Ponder to find out more about how “Look Around” came together, how she’s handling the pandemic, and what the future holds for her.
What inspired your new single “Look Around?”
When I first heard the music I was immediately captivated by it. It was something about its fluidness, the open spaces, and scarcity that really caught me. The instrumentation seemed ready to wrap around vocals – this song just felt made for a moment. At the time, fires were raging through Australia, smoke covered the sky. It felt like the right time to write about the state of our world, little did I know things would only get worse.
What do you want people to take away from the song?
I hope that it is a pause for folks. That when people hear it they think of those who are protesting and taking to the streets and that a call for justice is really a call for love. Cornel West said, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”
How did you get started in music? What’s the backstory there?
I began playing guitar at 16 y/o and from there I started writing songs. I was always very into learning and school so I continued my education, and played music on the side. I was in a few bands. My first band was a family band, Black August, and then I was in a band called Filthy Funk and then I went solo. But it wasn’t until two years ago that I left my job and decided to do music full time.
It was something about its fluidness, the open spaces, and scarcity that really caught me.
Why do you make music?
It’s when I feel most alive.
How did you come to hook up with Karate Boogaloo?
I was connected to Hope Street Recording through my former manager Katrina Lopes.
What advice do you have for young female artists trying to make it in music?
Define yourself for yourself. Don’t let anyone tell you what type of artist you need to be. Fight for your authentic sound. Fight for your own identity. Don’t let men in the industry intimidate you whether they be a sound engineer, producer, or booking agent. Know what you want and fight for it.
How are you handling the coronavirus situation?
I hate it. I miss music so much. However, I have been staying very busy with activism and I am back in the Public Defender’s office doing racial justice work.
What’s your take on all the social unrest occurring right now?
My take is we need to defund the police and give black people reparations.
In your opinion, what’s the biggest obstacle to change in today’s world?
Fear.
Looking to the future, what’s next for you?
Hope to release an album in the fall and, hopefully, when the world opens back up go on tour!
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