Dani Villé's musical journey: from Berlin to Cape Town

Cape Town-based singer-songwriter, Dani Villé, is basking in the warmth of her latest musical creations. Immersed in the vibrant Berlin music scene early in 2023, Dani experienced an artistic rebirth that not only enriched her sound but also culminated in a slew of new songs upon her return home. This prolific period has given rise to her upcoming releases featuring heartfelt themes that resonate deeply with her personal journey.

The first of these songs, “Jy’s Okay,” is a tender love ballad imbued with the emotions of being away from home. Dani described her time in Berlin as both exhilarating and challenging.

“I have experienced incredible new music experiences in Berlin and met many people in the international music industry. It was super exciting. I just missed my family and friends a lot. My boyfriend motivated me to push through.”

This inspiration sparked the creation of “Jy’s Okay,” which she recorded at Olly van Schalkwyk’s Ollyvans Studios. “It was an absolute feast. We played around with acoustic-pop elements, with enough melody and rhythm, while aiming to evoke the original emotions I experienced,” she shares.

Following closely behind “Jy’s Okay” is her second Afrikaans single, “Ek verkies musiek.” This powerful rock anthem channels a different emotion, drawing inspiration from Dani's close contacts who have faced love's trials but emerged stronger.

“It’s about preferring the happiness of music to a lingering broken heart,” explained Dani. Recorded by Frank Freeman and mixed by Dolf Willemse, this track boasts a strong array of electric guitars designed to broadcast a message of revenge and confidence. Dani is enthusiastic about sharing her evolving sound.

“It is an exciting time for me. It's a great feeling if one actually loves your own music. I am enjoying it to share my music with audiences.”

Dani Villé, who made her debut with her EP under Universal Music in 2020, has since carved her own path in the music world, now available on platforms like Spotify, iTunes, and Deezer. With a keen understanding of the business side of music, stemming from her ongoing Diploma in Music Business at the Campus of Performing Arts (COPA) in Cape Town, Dani emphasised the importance of this knowledge in managing her burgeoning career.

“It made all the difference in how I was able to run my music career today,” she said.

Villé’s connection to music is deeply rooted in her family's passion for the arts. Her family runs an outdoor music theatre on their farm near Grabouw, where they host concerts featuring talented South African artists. Dani regularly performs in these concerts, sharing the stage with renowned musicians including Spoegwolf, Refentse, and Elvis Blue. As she continues to live out her musical dreams, Dani’s calendar is brimming with performances and a promise of even more original songs in the months to come.