Napier’s young singer-songwriter Danica Bryant showcases powerful vocals on her debut 4 track EP, Cider. Currently based in Wellington, this is one lady who is not afraid to express herself through strong powerful lyrics and fierce emotion, and boy…does she have the lungs to pull it off. As someone once said, "Sharply bitter and sickeningly sweet all at once, Danica Bryant is not your ordinary songwriter".
There are some exceptionally well crafted lyrics and catchy rhythms within this gem of an EP. Danica managed to capture the extraordinary, fervent rock fueled essence within each song.
Track one, Plains Of Venus is an infectious alternative folk/rock number which captivated me almost immediately and left me excited to hear more. Birthday Girl did not disappoint, with angry, snappy lyrics delivered in a beautiful lyrical way. This delivers a whole lot of punch tinged with bitterness and a touch of sadness. Eloquent deliverance of the emotional turmoil which hits once the biting reality of adulthood comes knocking at your door.
Danica Bryant has opened for such Kiwi musical legends as Jon Toogood and Jason Kerrison. However as recently as February she was picked to be a supporting act for Elton John at his Mission Concert.
There is a vibrant intensity to her sound which would appeal to a wide range of listeners. Cider is a stunning debut EP. I would recommend a listen.
Sharply bitter and sickeningly sweet all at once, Danica Bryant is not your ordinary songwriter. Born to the fruitful music scene in Napier, New Zealand, her songs express a variety of intense emotions, covering meaningful topics such as adolescence, mental health, the music industry, sexuality, and young love. Danica Bryant is “all hard guitar and pain-filled howl” (The Hook NZ) - this woman bites back.
Bryant played her first gig at twelve years old, starring as a wannabe folk star with a crunchy microphone and amp. As her performance experience grew, her vines crept into an array of different genres. Her career quickly ripened when she was awarded the coveted National APRA Lyric Award by Smokefree Rockquest in 2018, for her track Dizzy. The following year, she became a finalist in Play It Strange's Lion Foundation songwriting competition, and next, the national winner of their 'Who Loves Who' contest.
After opening for New Zealand legends like Jon Toogood and Jason Kerrison, Bryant was cherry picked as a support act for Elton John’s ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour. The opportunity would lead to the harvest of her debut EP, recorded with Wellington’s Tiny Triumph Recordings, and mastered by the iconic Munki Studios.