New Yorker establishes an edgy and enchanting sound with her first few singles.
There's a sultry slink to the music of Donna Missal. She takes her time with every line. Missal's heartfelt and powerful songs can recall the catchy and lovelorn ballads of Lana Del Rey while fully carving out her own sound that's a bit edgier and raw, combining the laid-back ease of hip-hop with elements of rock and even a dash of jazz when it comes to her effortless execution. In the track "Sick," she sings of being at the mercy of a beguiling lover, but her delivery has the same effect — each line drawing the listener further under her spell.
Originally from Jersey City, Missal now calls the Big Apple home. We spoke with her about what contemporary artists influence her sound, her reading habits and what she'd do if she spent a day with Drake...
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
Homebase: New York City, NY
How did you develop your sound?
music was always at the forefront of my childhood and young adult life. my father was a writer and a drummer, he owned a studio in Manhattan in the '80s which he ran with my mother. His mother was a songwriter, it's just always been a part of their history and mine. I've been singing since I was four, in my dads makeshift basement studio made up of all the equipment he kept. Melody was like this language I started learning as early as I can remember. My dad and I were particularly close, and he schooled me in everything from James Brown to Fleetwood Mac. I owe it to my dad for introducing me to the greats when I was young enough to be whole-heartedly receptive. I think my sound has been developing since. I see artistic development as this never-ending thing. Like it's constantly happening.
What vocalists have you drawn inspiration from in the past? Who did you grow up listening to?
when I was a teenager I was most drawn to R&B and soul. I loved TLC, Mary J, Destiny's Child, Alicia Keys and Lauryn Hill. As I got older, my interest had me researching singers of the past who influenced these current artists that I loved, so I started listening to Etta James, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke. This lead to an affinity for artists like James Blake and Frank Ocean who were running with these classic soul influences and creating a progressive, genre bending sound. My influences are all over the place though, I feel some kind of relationship to every genre.
How important is the internet to your career?
I love the internet. I think it transformed the planet, and anything that powerful has as many negative repercussions as positive. As far as the internet in relation to music, it has completely reworked that system. I made the decision to be for it rather than against it. The machine of the music business hadn't been shaken up in such a major way maybe ever in history, and that's an incredible thing to be a part of. I use the Internet to reach people all over the world with music — something I wouldn't be able to do as in independent artist if it didn't exist.
You've said what you read has an influence on your writing and pushing your creative boundaries. What have you been reading recently? What types of literature are you typically drawn to?
I've just finished Patti Smith's Just Kids, and I'm in the middle of On The Road by Jack Kerouac. I never wanted to read growing up, I was too impatient and distracted. recently I've found it to be this bottomless source of inspiration and it's become one of my favorite things to do. I love authors who write about the human experience in an honest, visceral way because that's how I like to write music.
You did a Drake cover — how did that come about and take shape?
I've always been a fan of Drake, his music reminds me of driving around suburban New Jersey with my sisters. Lately I like to cover music written by men, and find the commonality between male feelings and my feelings as a woman. Not surprisingly, they are most often one in the same. The lyric of this song in particular really drew me to it, I think it transcends the trend that's built around it.
If you could spend a day with Drake, what would you do?
I've never been to Canada, I'd want him to show me around, smoke me out in his favorite studio, then make a song together.
What's been one of your most rewarding experiences in the past year related to your music?
The most typical answer but probably the most honest would be playing a show and having the audience sing the words with me. it's overwhelming. it's incredible.
What does NY affect you as an artist?
NYC is this unbelievable place with dense culture at every turn, you would have to be completely shut off not to be affected by it. I personally have my receptors wide open so it's an ideal place to draw inspiration. It's also tough, exhausting, and humbling, which I believe only make for more interesting art.
What would you like to accomplish with your music?
my answer to this question has developed a lot over this last year. I used to say that I would be content to afford a modest lifestyle and sustain a career, and that was it. I wasn't subscribed to the fact that I was an artist. I've since turned over that stone and found that my goals are to reach as many people as possible; to have a point of view; a strong opinion and an unwavering sense of loyalty to integrity. I want to take it as far as I can take it.
