Daley: Don’t second guess your gut feeling
Photographer: Neil Favila
I’ve probably said this before but the thing I love most about music, apart from the music itself is who you get to meet through it, the relationships that are forged - I’ve made friends whom I now consider my extended family.
One of those people is the reason I know today’s guest. His name was Richard Antwi (he unfortunately passed away a few years ago). He was a lawyer and my manager and became a really good friend - he was instrumental in the careers of many artists, he signed the likes of Adele to her record deal, he also put some of the UK’s grime artists on the map, think Lethal Bizzle, Boy Better Know and Wretch 32. He also managed my guest today, singer Daley. Hailing from Manchester in England Daley has one of those voices, so soulful and a falsetto that’s as clear as a bell. If you think I’m exaggerating, Quincy Jones and Stevie Wonder also agree - he has sung with both of them at their request - Daley even told me after we ended our interview that he was at Stevie Wonder’s house for Thanksgiving last year!
I met Daley soon after he got signed and became his piano teacher. I was fortunate enough to hear some of his songs before they were released. Since then he has gone on to record 3 full length albums, worked with Pharell, sung with the likes of Jessie J, Marsha Ambrosius of the band Floetry, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Angie Stone and as I mentioned the legend that is Stevie Wonder.
We talk about Daley’s journey into music, the UK music industry’s approach to RnB & Soul artists compared to the States, about signing to a major label. We talk about hindsight, about finding your voice. We talk about career highlights, being creative in a pandemic and trusting your instincts even if it goes against the dominant voices in the room.
Guest: Daley
Title: ‘Don’t second guess your gut feeling’
Featured songs by Daley: Slow Burn, Those Who Wait, Alone Together ft. Marsha Ambrosius, Try (The Line) ft. Bad Fruit
Music on Daley’s playlist: Phantom Thread (original motion picture soundtrack) - Jonny Greenwood, Roisin Machine - Roisin Murphy
Music I mention: If Beale Street Could Talk (original motion picture score) - Nicholas Britell, A Room with a View (motion picture soundtrack) - Richard Robbins, Lieder ohne Worte (songs without words) Felix Mendelssohn - Daniel Barenboim
Youtube: @daleyofficial
Twitter: @daleymusic