17 September 2022
Newsdesk
Singer, songwriter, producer, and public defender Danielle Ponder chose a career in law after her brother received a 20-year sentence due to a “three strikes” law. But even as she became a tireless advocate for justice in her community, she found ways to keep music alive in her heart. In 2019, she gave a TEDx talk on what music can teach us about social justice.
The sixth of seven children, Ponder grew up in Rochester, NY, gravitating to the piano at a young age, eventually discovering alt rock and hip-hop artists like Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette, Lauryn Hill and The Roots. But it wasn’t until she heard Big Mama Thornton and Koko Taylor, though, that she knew singing was her true passion.
Now, Danielle has written and produced her debut album with help from Gianluca Buccellati (Arlo Parks, Tei Shi), Ed Quinn (Sycco), and Spencer Stewart (Role Model, Alina Baraz). Witnessing Danielle perform these powerful and poetic songs live is a transcendent experience, often leaving audiences in tears.
