Desarae Dee is a powerhouse pianist/keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist who has made significant waves in the Canadian music industry as an instrumental fusion artist since 2014. I chanced upon her song Holiday Soul and really enjoyed the jazzy style – if you missed it, you can find it at the end of this interview.
By Jane Howkins
How was your 2022?
My 2022 was very eventful as it was the most I’ve ever been booked in my career. I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities that I had to play for so many artists in Toronto.
We recently reviewed a song of yours titled Holiday Soul. What can you tell us about the track?
Holiday Soul is a track that I actually wrote during the first wave of the pandemic, but never decided to actually finish it up until last September – I eventually released it last month. Holiday Soul is a smooth fusion of jazz, r&b and neo-soul nuances that is timeless, calm, expressive and leaves you yearning for mistletoe and yule log fireplaces. It embodies the energy of a classic holiday tune, while adding depth and style beyond your standard carol.
How has the reception been for Holiday Soul and where can the track be purchased?
The reception for Holiday Soul has been beyond my expectations. I normally don’t have expectations when it comes to my music because I believe it will reach who it’s meant to reach. It has done very well on Spotify and I’m grateful for all the outlets that wrote about it. You can purchase the track here: desaraedeemusic….mp.com
Do you plan on releasing any more singles soon?
I do have plans to release a new single in the next couple of months, so stay tuned to my socials for details in the coming weeks.
Are there any plans to release a full-length album or an EP?
I have released 4 EPs so far and a plethora of singles, so I know many of my supporters are waiting for the big album to come out, so we’ll see how the rest of this year pans out.
Your music has a jazzy quality. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?
My musical influences are Robert Glasper, Alicia Keys, Oscar Peterson and Frédéric Chopin. Most recently, I‘ve been listening to a lot of lo-fi instrumentals.
What do you think are the biggest issues facing the music industry at the moment?
One of the biggest issues in the industry in my opinion is the lack of recognition in music for women, especially musicians, producers and engineers. I also believe that instrumental music isn’t as recognised as it should be.
You’re based in Toronto. What is the local music scene like?
Toronto is a big music scene with a lot of diverse types of artists, and there many opportunities to showcase your music. However in my opinion, it is also over-saturated with r&b and hip-hop to the point where other genres and styles of music are often overlooked. My hope is that there will be more recognition for other genres and styles that truly showcase the diversity that Toronto is.
Do you have any UK tour dates lined up?
At the moment I don’t have any UK tour dates, but my hope is to be able to perform there soon.
Any last words for the fans?
JUST DO IT. If you don’t do what you truly want to do, then someone else is going to do it. Don’t talk about what you’re going to do, just DO IT.