Merging a classical string trio, a traditional rhythm section and her own classically trained violin playing with uptempo pop vocals, Danielle Ryce is today (February 12) premiering a new song and video as Dianella.
Joined by Elliott Slater (guitar), Rob Kellner (keyboard), Quinn Sternberg (upright bass), Trenton O’Neal (drums), Fanny Friadt (violin), Theresa Romero (viola) and Joshua Sierra (cello), Ryce (whom some of you may know from the band Nyce!) is releasing “Oh, Honey” as part of her ongoing exploration as a songwriter.
“Even though I grew up playing violin, my passion is songwriting,” she says. “When I started at Loyola as a violin performance major, it was with the intention of learning how to speak music as fluently as I heard it in my head. I love violin and thought it could also be my leverage point in learning how to hear an idea, and share it without constantly ‘translating’ it.” She admits that, despite the knowledge about arranging music for strings she gained at school, putting all the pieces of Dianella’s debut was tricky. “When it came to teaching a rhythm section a new song…. I was still a little lost.”
Ryce wanted to merge her love of songwriting with the work she was doing with Nyce! co-founder, Nic Lefebvre. “I found myself writing for this super group I had only daydreamed about until recently. So, the band is me corralling this marvelous combination of friends through my music network together. Friends from my string world, and friends from my band world. The result is huge and full, and it makes my heart and dancing feet oh, so happy.”
For the music video, recorded at Neutral Sound Studios by videographer Jazmarae Beebe and engineer Aaron Boudreaux, Ryce and her Dianella cohorts deliver a performance that hints at what the future holds for the fledgling group. As the first of four videos from the recording session slated for release, “Oh, Honey” is just a sweet starter.
Says Ryce, “The plan is to hit the ground running with this new project! We’re hoping to play the local New Orleans music scene as much as possible. One of my favorite aspects of the group is that we are able to perform in different configurations from duo, to myself + string section, to full-fledged band. We’ve got a duo gig coming up at Country Club on February 28 for those of you who may wish to escape to the Marigny during Muses madness, or come morally support Quinn Sternberg (bassist) and myself as we suffer from FOMO during our set.”
For more information (and music!), click here.
