ENTERTAINMENT | MUSIC
By Liz Belilovskaya B e a u t i f u l , D r i v e n a n d R i s i n g ! When you first meet Daniela Brooker, it’s hard to believe how young she is. Beautiful, energetic, super smart and ultra charismatic, you understand immediately just what it is about her that sets her apart from other young starlets. She’s a charming young woman with a crazy powerful voice, in hot pursuit of her dreams – there is no Plan B for Daniela, and something tells us, she won’t need it. <strong>RAINE</strong> Where are you from and what is your background? BROOKER: I am actually from a very small town outside of London and my background, well, my mom is Venezuelan and my dad is British and here I am (laughs). <strong>RAINE</strong>: When did you start singing and who were your influences? BROOKER: Oh god (laughs), I’ve always sung, I’ve been singing since forever, but I sort of started to record music when, I think I was about 13. My mom likes Spanish music; Juan Carlos is one of her favorite artists, and my dad, he listens to rock-and-roll and, he’s into Tupac and stuff like that. But I like all types of music, across different genres. I am influenced by the classics, and I love all the modern pop artists as well. <strong>RAINE</strong>: Out of the classics, whom do you like? BROOKER: (laughs) You know my influences vary. I like Etta James, and the Rat Pack, you know what I mean, I like Jazz music, but I also really love my bands, like Aerosmith, ACDC and Queen (laughs), you know, old rock-and-roll. <strong>RAINE</strong>: Out of the modern pop-stars, whose performance style do you admire? BROOKER: Oh, Beyonce, definitely, she has that raw energy, it just so incredible to watch her! But I also like Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stephanie, Shakira, you know, the big divas; they’re all amazing. I also love Pharrell and stuff like that too. <strong>RAINE</strong>: Do you mimic your performance style after them? BROOKER: Do you mean the dancing and all that? I dance on stage, but I don’t have a routine. I do like to dress up, you know with the big hair and I like to have outfits, but no, I don’t have choreography. I throw in Spanish lyrics in my songs, or a Spanish cover in my sets, that’s something I try to do, definitely. <strong>RAINE</strong>: You have been performing and touring, whom did you like to perform the most with and what are some of your touring experiences? BROOKER: Well, a little while ago we did a tour with The Saturdays. I was their support act, so that was absolutely incredible, it was one of the most amazing experiences. Touring experiences, oh god, it’s one of the best things for the artists, but we performed in Texas, and where we were, it was a place with house music and when we played our set, people were line dancing, and we thought, “alright, let’s go with it”, but it was pretty bizarre. <strong>RAINE</strong>: Do you miss your family when you’re on tour? BROOKER: You know, we are such a close and tight family that they sort of come with me everywhere I go; my mom is actually right outside here. My dad couldn’t come this time, but yeah, in my family, we’re all really close. <strong>RAINE</strong>: How does it feel to build up your brand? BROOKER: I mean, I am a performer, and you know, I hope people like what I do. I am competitive and I’m driven. I actively sought out a producer when I was 13. I’ve been writing songs and meeting with different people to work with ever since, it’s all part of rising. http://www.danielabrooker.com/ Breathe, out July 15 th . Raine Magazine - <strong>Volume</strong> 15 33