If there’s anything 20-year old singer/songwriter Danielle Thrush knows for sure, it is this: Refuge is always as close as the nearest set of black-and-white keys. And it is from there—the bench of her piano—that this Minneapolis, Minnesota artist tells her best stories.
Danielle’s devotion to music began in the churches, choirs, musicals, and talent shows of her youth, where she played Dorothy and Cinderella and performed with the Minnesota Opera Children’s Chorus. She began writing, and it wasn’t long before “Triathletes,” a song she wrote in jest about her father and his triathlete buddies, ultimately led her to producer Aaron Ankrum. But all joking aside, the song was a hit, and she recorded it with Ankrum as a single to help promote Team Ortho Foundation, the international sports-medicine charity. Ankrum wasted no time in introducing Danielle to Grammy-nominated and Dove Award winning, Joel Hanson, who, with Ankrum, took Danielle under his wing and produced her first EP, “Long Way Down,” released in June, 2008.
Backed up by a talented band that features Kyle Tennis on guitars, Zachary Ojeda on bass, and Alexander Young on drums, “Long Way Down” received critical acclaim in the Minneapolis music scene and led to invitations to play at venues throughout the Twin Cities, including First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry and the Fine Line Music Café, performing home to top local and visiting musical artists. Shortly after its release, the EP received airplay on Twin Cities indie station, 89.3 The Current.
The thrill of Danielle’s local success is eclipsed only by the great privilege she has of doing something everyday that she knows she was meant to do forever: writing songs and sharing stories that resonate with the voices of her listeners. And for those fans who can’t seem to get enough of Danielle’s novel perspective and sound, there’s this good news: Danielle was back in the studio this January, recording fresh music that concert-goers have been raving about. The new songs are due out soon.
Hi! Danielle here! I wanted to tell you a little about myself- but this time, in my own words.
My name is Danielle Christine Thrush. But my really cool friends like to call me DT. I love macaroni & cheese and Mythbusters. And eating the first while I watch the second makes my day every time. When I’m a little down I watch CSI to remind myself life isn’t so bad. I was born a blonde. But I enjoy getting to experiment with my long locks. I tower over most at a height of 5’2”. And when I say most, I mean most small children. :-) I have really small feet, which means I find the best shoes. I enjoy being a girl- whether I’m in high heels or flip flops. My piano is named “Lester.” (Really, it’s printed right on the front. I promise.) My big brother seems to deserve the most credit for me turning out the way I did. Though I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not. :-) But I wouldn’t have had it any other way. My parents are pretty much the bomb. And I wish there was a way to repay them for all of the love they have shown me. They always kept my favorite Patsy Kline tape rewound and cued in my little tape player. And they would sing me to sleep every single night. And that’s where it all started.
Music has been my place of residence for what seems like forever. Getting to write and perform is a gift and a blessing. When I started writing at my piano a few years ago, I decided I would be doing this forever. And that numb feeling I get from sitting on the piano bench for hours at a time, is the best feeling in the world.
My first album "Long Way Down" was born out of everything painful that I went through 4 years ago. Every song is a new story. Some are mine, and some are others'. And although pain seems to bring out the best writer in me, there are a whole lot of things that come out when I start tickling those ivories.
I love hearing from people who enjoy my music. It reminds me of one of the reasons I love what I do. I hope you can find a bit of your own voice in my music- a little part of your story somewhere inside of mine. And that you all enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoy writing it.
-DT