Ottawa’s Inspirational Artist Danah-Lee Spreads Message of Acceptance & Belonging with Empowering “Equal”
Ottawa, ON Contemporary Christian artist Danah-Lee, channels her faith and musical spirit to deliver a powerful message of acceptance and belonging with her ambitious new single, “Equal.”
“Equal” was inspired by a melody that came to her while teaching a piano lesson.
“I stopped the lesson and took two minutes to hum the melody into my phone’s recording app,” says Danah-Lee. “Later that evening, when I had an opportunity, the lyrics and melody flowed out of me so freely.”
A beacon of positivity and hope for the LGBTQIA+ community, Danah-Lee has been a champion for equal rights, challenging conventions within her faith.
“As a Christian LGBTQIA+ artist, my vision and intended outcome for this recording was to examine and break down barriers between Queers and Christians,” says Danah-Lee.
With faith and love in her heart, she would further her inclusive crusade by releasing two singles, ”Love Letter To A Friend” and “Home To Myself,” which would play a large role in her ascent as an artist.
The inspiration behind “Equal” is drawn from the very real threat of danger that members of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to face daily.
“The song stems from years of Queer folks being treated as second-class citizens,” says Danah-Lee.
“As a member of this community, I have countless accounts and experiences of being treated with discrimination and anti-gay behaviour. Especially, but not limited to, within the Christian music industry. We need to change the conversation and be better.”
Accompanied by warm and melodic musicianship that feels like a welcoming embrace, Danah-Lee brings the potent message into the listener’s view and holds their attention so they can’t look away.
“Oh fear, why are you hiding here
On both sides of this petty war?
Some of us are scared to come out
And they are scared at findin’ out
We bleed the same kind of red.”
It was also crucial for Danah-Lee to accompany a visual with the release of “Equal.”
“Making the lyric video was important to me because it highlights what our Queer community endured throughout the decades and still endures,” says Danah-Lee.
Watch the lyric video for “Equal” below and learn more about Danah-Lee via our mini-interview.
You’ve been in this space before, and good to see you again! What’s been going on since your last single?
I recently received a recording grant from the Ontario Arts Council for a new album project. I have been working on this new project, (releasing a full-length album at the end of this year). Also, I’m in the process of preparing for a very small, yet humble tour/visit to the Yukon in August.
Tell us about the process of writing and recording “Equal?” Can you talk about your musical community and collaborators for the song?
The song “Equal” was written with my firsthand experience, as a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community. This song was written with a deep hope to raise awareness and educate through music. I pooled ideas from my own personal experiences, and also pooling from the experiences of those closest to me in our community. There is an uptick of hate and sheer ignorance towards our LGBTQ2S+ community. Our community still faces discrimination and threats each day.
I feel very fortunate and lucky that I am able to write, produce and record my own music. I’m also doubly lucky because I get to call upon my trusted musical colleagues who support and accentuate my vision of sound.
Did you do anything for Pride Month? Any cool events we need to check out next year?
Yes! In fact, I went to San Francisco with my beautiful girlfriend to celebrate pride. We had an amazing time taking in the parade on Market Street and checking out the Castro.
I am also very fortunate to be visiting the Yukon during their pride in August. I will be playing a concert to celebrate at Whitehorse United Church on August 11.
What’s the one song by a Canadian you wished you wrote?
Hands down… “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart.