Danika

My short story…..

Who: I am Danika Ann Holmes, singer/songwriter.

What: I write and perform primarily pop music with a country influence that sounds like a cross between Colbie Caillat and Norah Jones.

Where: I was born and raised in Iowa, and recently recorded my debut album at Big White House Studios in Illinois with producer and studio owner Paul Hamilton.

Why: I'm creating music that makes me happy and hopefully can make you happy, too.  It's all about the music!

When:  I'm excited to share the release of my debut album, "Second Chances" with you now!  

A longer version for those who may be interested… ..

Music has always been a part of my life in various ways. I've been in front of a piano off and on since I was five. It didn't take me long to discover I could put notes together in any way I wanted to create my own original songs. By thirteen, I was recording my songs in the studio and had been selected as finalist in a songwriting competition. However, high school and college led me to focus primarily on dance and academics. Now, nearly three degrees later I have traveled full-circle back to where I started, with music.
A series of traumatic personal events, including the death of my father and a relationship betrayal ending in a broken heart led me to re-evaluate my life goals. When I was at rock bottom I turned to music. I began writing down my feelings in song format and spending hours a day playing guitar as a way of clearing my mind. Music became my escape from the reality of my shattered life. While personally trying situations seem to be impossible to endure while in the midst of them, eventually time will prevail and we emerge as either broken or stronger. I hope my songs will help others in the midst of difficult circumstances to emerge stronger. My life experiences along with my passion for music have shaped me into the writer and artist that I have become today.

So, what about back when I was a kid? The part of my life that seemed normal and where bad things didn't happen to good people; Well, I grew up as the 4th kid out of 5 in Eastern Iowa. I was a little rag-a-muffin who tromped around in hand me down clothes and spent every free minute doing building projects with my dad or creating anything from fashions to songs and dances. I sang show tunes around the house with my younger brother and tagged around after my older brothers and sister trying to be cool. As a teen I tried sports briefly, discovered I'd rather be singing, then turned to the arts where I did community theatre, dance, and choir. I was fortunate enough to grow up in a house where my parents had all the love and support in the world for their kids.. Back to the present time; I was eventually reunited with long time family friend Paul Hamilton, a veteran in the music business. We'd spend hours writing and recording in his studio. In the summer of 2009, after months of writing, we began work on my debut album, titled “Second Chances.”. This process was a learning experience. One like never before.  Now, as this album is almost finished, I'm excited to share it with all of you, whoever “you” may be! In the end, it's all about the music. I'm hoping you'll crank up the volume, sing along, and take something away with you after listening. Thanks for caring. I'd love to hear from you. I answer all of my emails personally.

If you're interested in getting updates on my music or shows, please sign up for my mailing list. I won't share your email with anyone else and won't fill your inbox up with annoying stuff, promise!

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