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Dallas resident Danny Joseph, who is a captivating singer/songwriter and a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” brings a unique blend of soul, blues, and country music to the spotlight.
Originally hailing from London, UK, Danny made the bold move to Dallas, Texas, in 2015, after meeting his wife, a Texas native, at an international church conference. Since moving to Texas, Danny has cultivated a passionate fanbase and honed his craft as a musician. With over 350 live shows under his belt in the vibrant Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, Danny’s soulful, raspy voice and impressive bluesy guitar playing have made him a known figure in the local music scene.
From a young age, music has been an integral part of Danny’s life. He began writing and producing his own songs at just 13, showcasing a determination and creativity that has only grown over the years. Today, he actively records, produces, and mixes all of his work from his home studio, ensuring that his unmistakable sound resonates in every note. With the thrill of his recent audition on The Voice behind him, where he earned the mentorship of country music icon Reba McEntire, Danny is ready to take his musical journey to new heights.
Balancing his burgeoning career with family life, (he lives in Dallas with his wife and their three children), Danny effortlessly blends his roles as a dedicated husband and father with his passion for music. In this interview, we delve deeper into Danny’s artistic journey, his move to the States, and what lies ahead for him as he pursues his dreams in the ever-evolving world of music.
Current Experience on The Voice
When asked about his experience as a contestant on this season’s The Voice, Danny Joseph expressed enthusiasm and positivity. “So far it’s been a great experience,” says Danny. “Everyone I have met — the other contestants, the producers, the band — have been great, so welcoming and encouraging. They have really looked after me well. It’s been a far better experience than I could ever have imagined.
“Walking up to the stage to perform for the first time for the coaches, I was very nervous; I didn’t sleep at all the night before either, as I was so anxious! I remember my heart beating really fast as I walked down the walkway to the stage. I saw my wife and two of our three kids who were able to make the trip, and it made it feel easier. I just closed my eyes and imagined I was playing one of the shows I typically play at in Dallas, and I guess the rest was just muscle memory.”
Choosing Reba McEntire as a Coach
After his audition, Danny had a clear vision for his coaching choice. “I already had set out to pick Reba if she turned. She has had a long and successful career and is still going. That’s the dream for all of us musicians; we want longevity, and she has had exactly that. It was a combination of that and watching the previous season of The Voice and how she looked after and nurtured her team that I thought it would be a good choice to go with her.”
Transition From the UK to Texas
Discussing his move from the UK to Dallas, Danny shared the story behind his relocation. “I moved here to marry my love, who is now my wife; we met at a church conference in early 2014, and we were in a long-distance relationship for 18 months. After making trips back and forth, we knew one of us had to move somewhere!
“It was a very difficult transition at first, especially as in early 2016 I got diagnosed with Crohn’s disease that literally came out of nowhere. So here I was, in a new country, in the middle of the immigration process, and suddenly navigating a chronic disease. 2016 was by far the worst year of my life; what should have been the American dream was more like a nightmare! It took a while before I was able to recalibrate myself, but Dallas definitely feels like home now!”
Finding His Unique Voice
Danny drew on his early musical influences and experiences to explain how he discovered his unique sound. “I started playing guitar at the age of seven; my dad plays guitar and he was my first influence. He introduced me to The Beatles, Ray Charles, James Taylor, Chicago, and many others. Back in those days, there was no social media or internet, and I was an only child; so all I could do was play along to my favorite songs. Back then it was on an old tape player/walkman.”
He continues, detailing his exploration of music. “When I was 13, I started buying guitar magazines which came with a CD. I would sit down for hours trying to learn everything from Led Zeppelin to the Eagles, to Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. When I was 13, my parents bought me a little 8-track portable recording studio, and I started writing songs and recording them. But it wasn’t until I was 18, during a gap year between college and university, that I took a year out to focus on music; that’s when my parents invested in better recording equipment. I started recording my voice and realized I sounded terrible.”
Danny reflects on his growth as an artist. “It dawned on me that if I was to be serious about singing and songwriting, I’d need to get serious about developing my voice. I’d spend hours trying to even get one phrase in tune while recording; this was 18/19 years ago. Looking back, I think I found my voice by trying to emulate my favorite singers and ‘failing.’ Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, Joe Cocker, Steven Tyler, Elvis, Marvin Gaye, Al Green; I’d try to sound like them in my own way, but I guess that’s how I found my own sound.”
Impact of Home Studio Setup
Discussing his home studio setup, Danny explains its significance. “I started to build a studio in my spare bedroom, mainly due to saving money. Studio time is always so expensive, and I always felt rushed in the studio when I lived in London, UK. I became really interested in how my favorite records sound the way they do and wanted to learn how to really produce and mix. The main impetus was the high cost of hiring a mix engineer. So I thought, okay, I’ll try to learn this myself. It was a very steep learning curve, and I know I have a long way to go, but it’s been somewhat liberating to know I can write, produce, record, and mix my own record.”
He shares how this has transformed his creative process. “It has significantly changed the way I write and think through ideas. From trial and error, I’ve realized the importance of keeping ideas simple — keeping drums and bass simple, keeping melody lines and guitar parts defined and simple. It’s taught me to really listen to how the different elements and instruments in a song can interweave and create a cohesive sound. It can be a rabbit hole, though; you can end up overthinking things and doing countless revisions of a song mix-wise, realizing that the 50th mix sounds no different from the third!”
Memorable Performances in Dallas
With over 350 live shows to his credit in Dallas, Danny reminisced about his most memorable performances. “I’ve been gigging in Dallas for a few years and have had residencies at several venues. The first time I played a show at Grandscape was special; it’s a huge stage and had a big crowd that was so welcoming and encouraging. Recently, I played at The Rustic in Dallas, and quite a few people came to see me after watching me on The Voice. It was so nice to meet them; making new connections through music or your story is always a beautiful thing.”
Incorporating Elements into Songwriting
When asked how he incorporates his soulful raspy voice and bluesy guitar playing into his songwriting, Danny shared his philosophy. “When it comes to songwriting, I don’t really think about my voice or guitar playing as such. I just let what wants to come out, come out naturally. If the song calls for a guitar solo, I’ll do it; if not, I won’t. For example, on a cover of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come, I did a guitar solo because I felt the song needed it.”
He emphasized the storytelling aspect of his lyrics. “Vocally, I always try to tell the story of the lyrics; sometimes that’s more aggressive, and sometimes more tender. The gravelly texture of my voice is kind of just what comes out of me when I sing, whether I think about it or not!”
Balancing Family and Music
Danny acknowledges the challenges of balancing a music career with family life while expressing gratitude for his wife’s support. “Thankfully, my wife is 100 percent supportive of my endeavors. She made a list of qualities she wanted in a man before she met me, and one of them was that she ‘wanted a musician!’ I’m not sure she considered that we need lots of gear and are broke half the time! But I know she understands what it takes, and that I’m gone a lot of evenings and weekends. However, I know she’s happy because I’m happy. I’m getting to do what I love and provide for our family that way.”
Danny concludes with a reflection on their family values. “We have a good balance raising our family while I pursue my musical dreams. Family is everything to us, and will always come first.”
Current Projects and Future Aspirations
When discussing his current projects, Danny expressed excitement about exploring new musical directions. “I’m currently in the phase of writing more songs and exploring a different side to my writing. I’ve had some technical issues with my studio that I haven’t been able to figure out for a year, especially after getting very sick and having major surgery. That pushed everything back, and then going on The Voice hasn’t given me the chance to get someone in to help me troubleshoot; that’s why I haven’t been able to record or release anything for a while.”
Despite these challenges, he remains hopeful. “In the meantime, I’ve just been writing songs — songs I believe are the best I’ve ever written. I’m excited to share them with the world at some point soon.”
Looking Ahead
As he looks to the future, Danny shares his aspirations for his music career post-The Voice. “Looking ahead, I really hope to continue playing as many shows as possible. My dream would be to record a full album and work with a producer in a studio, allowing me to focus on singing and playing where an experienced producer can help me get the best out of my songs. My dream is to tour and open for more established artists.”
Danny concludes with a hopeful note about the impact of his time on the show. “My hope and prayer is that being on The Voice can open doors that have previously been closed. It’s been 30 years of playing guitar — from busking on the London Underground to playing hundreds of shows here and in the UK. I really hope to continue and do more and more. So far, it’s been a dream come true to be on a show like The Voice; I just don’t want the dream to end!”
Connect with Danny Joseph
Stay updated with Danny’s music and journey through his social media platforms:
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Cover photo Tyler Golden/NBC
Bob Valleau is a regular entertainment writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine.
