Danielle Lande Found Emotional Healing With Her New Song “Whatever You Say”

Photography by Jayden Becker

“Whatever You Say” is the perfect song for a romantic movie scene. With it, Danielle Lande scores a point by presenting a song that sounds like a classic ballad, with minimal musical accompaniment and beautiful, profound lyrics. 

I never wanna take my eyes off you
Just can't stand it when you take your thighs off me
Can't understand it when you go away
But at the end of the day
I'll do whatever you say
whatever baby

The song's release coincided right with the start of Pride month and for Danielle it felt like a relief. “Releasing this song feels deeply healing for the younger version of myself who internalized false narratives about queer love being inherently wrong, predatory, or at the very least unattainable.” 

This theme, which could be easily dedicated to that special person, breaks a lot with the current musical proposal. In the words of the artist, “Whatever You Say intimately depicts the passionate intensity of lesbians falling in love and experiencing joyful queer sex and romance together”. 

Danielle has been writing music since 15. Initially, songwriting was her private emotional outlet for dealing with queer adolescence and she formed the habit of keeping her creative output secret. It took years to shift that internal narrative and get comfortable with the idea of sharing music publicly. 

She established 'Queersound', a new music night spotlighting members of the lgbtq+ community, in an effort to create a warm, supportive space where queer artists and art lovers can connect. 

“It feels good to live in bold acceptance of myself and express sweet, soft, queer love through my songwriting. Lesbians deserve more love songs and stories that show how beautiful our lives can be” Danielle said. 

The artist has spent more than five years captivating audiences with their soulful voice, intimate songwriting, and unique sound drawing on pop, R&B, and jazz and will continue to do so, that's for sure.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mariana González – Venezuelan journalist

I am interested in novelty, talent and creativity. I put my lyrics at the service of those who genuinely strive to build an alternate narrative about the common and humdrum. Rival Magazine has been the open window to put a face on emerging talent.