Daphne Adams
Austin, Texas, United States | SELF
Music
Press
How has motherhood affected your passions and professional goals?
Being a mother while pursuing a passion or goal obviously has a major impact on your thought processes and actions. You become somewhat unable to dive in “head first” with reckless abandon. There is much more strategy and planning that go into your career because you have this huge responsibility outside of yourself. There’s an understanding that having a career as a musician has to meet the needs of your family just as having any other career would have to meet those needs. I also happen to be a single mother, and have been for 8 years, which causes those challenges to become even greater.
The biggest benefit of pushing through and never giving up is that you teach your children something invaluable. My children have learned that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and that you can achieve anything in life with determination, hard work, and proper goal setting. It’s also taught them to “go for it”, whatever it is that you want in life. Don’t settle for mediocrity and don’t let any one tell you that you can’t.
There have been times I had to sacrifice what I want. Your family takes time, energy, and focus. I guess I’ve been doing it for so long now it’s just part of my routine, part of my day. You have to find that balance and it is there. You start with knowing what the most important things are to you and setting your priorities, goals, and schedules accordingly. Love yourself first. Fill your cup to overflowing and it will just flood the other parts of your life. Every one benefits from that and you will find that you have the time and energy for both.
Life is demanding…pace yourself. - Rockin' Moms
I was at the Whole Foods show, it was without a doubt a really great show but
Daphne "ALWAYS" puts on a great show! She is a performer that as soon as she
steps on stage demands respect & never puts on a less than perfect show! For all
of you that haven't gotton to see her live, it is a religious experience! Go buy the C...D! - Jeff Young
Daphne Adams has been on the scene as a band leader and lead vocalist over 20 years and it shows. She is an accomplished jazz/ funk singer, hailing from the capitol of jazz - Louisiana and now has her roots and teeth sunk into Austin. Her performance, of her first album “ Vitamin D “, is stellar, she could literally do any style, her voice is present, emotive and heartfelt. She can conjure the spell of music and so can her band. "Vitamin D" is what the title suggests - a walk through Daphne and her band's varied repertoire gives you the boost you need on a daily basis. There are several styles covered on the CD - jazz, pop, some funk and deep soul. On this record she leads a smoking hot band that complements her powerful vocal style. The crisp production, courtesy of Gary Franklin, captures all the magic. Daphne's heartfelt vocal delivery soars above it all and mesmerizes the listener in a way that a truly great singer should. Her delivery is heartfelt, personal and magical at the same time.
The performance of these songs is really moving - the grooves are perfect and the vocals are soaring. Songs that really stand out are "Rub-A-Dub" , "Morphine" , "Baby Tonight" , "Touch you" , and the very sexually charged “ Jungle Love. “ The original tunes on this CD, showcase the fact that Daphne is also a talented songwriter, something almost unheard of in this genre where singers usually rely on professional composers. Overall this is a great album, great musicianship all around with some especially outstanding lead guitar, thanks to Joe Haller. The production is also world class. There really isn't a bad or average tune on this album. Daphne’s great voice, the flawless production and an amazing band makes this CD a must for any music connoisseur, who is tired of the same old thing. Without a doubt a 5/5. - Scott Young
Discography
Debut album: Vitamin D released June 2010
Currently streaming on last.fm
Photos
Bio
It all began on a humid October afternoon deep in the bayous of Louisiana. Amidst the blues, zydeco, and jazz of the legendary South, a new sound began to emerge.
Growing up the daughter of a preacher was without a doubt challenging. Having a family that was musically accomplished on both sides created a collision course between destiny and desire. A course that I willingly and passionately embrace.
I recall being terrified to sing publicly as a child but would lock myself in my room for hours on end singing with all my heart at the top of my lungs. My mother would get so frustrated that I wouldn't give that talent back and share it with the world.
I remember my first musical influences...you know, the ones I would sing their songs over and over again until I knew every last note, rest, and breath. I'll never forget wailing to Whitney Houston, dancing with Michael Jackson, trying to hit Sandi Patty's high notes, and shocked by Madonna's brazen openness. And even earlier years of rocking to the cool sounds of the Beach Boys while filling my soul with the richness of Andre Crouch.
As a teenager I was a radio junkie. Top 40 was my love. I couldn't hear enough Billy Ocean, Paula Abdul, Poison, Boy George, Wham, or Duran Duran. I listened to everything from Van Halen and Ratt to Randy Travis and Debbie Gibson.
Then it happened....someone got me on stage. With a bit of trickery and masqueraded as a Christmas play for the children, I was Mary in the church play of the greatest story ever told. Then I found out that Mary had a solo.....
That started a leak in the dam that never stopped. That leak slowly became larger and larger until the dam finally broke. Before I knew it I was on the Praise and Worship team at church performing three times a week and singing solos on a regular basis. I performed for conventions, revivals, and was the guest soloist for the annual statewide Dr. Martin Luther King festival in Monroe, La in 2004.
After about 12 years or so of that I decided that I needed a little more excitement and wanted to stretch myself as a performer. I started auditioning for local plays at the community theater. I landed my 3rd audition as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Two years and six plays later I made the decision to move to Austin, TX to take my talents to the next level.
Although I moved to Austin with the ambition of evolving as an actor, it was no surprise that I landed in the cover band, "The Dictators of Cool" as the lead vocalist within a few months of being here. That project slowly ran it's course and I moved on to the original project "Bad Micky Ficky" as the female vocalist. That all original, hip-hop project introduced me to several 6th Street venues such as Agave, Friends, Club Karma, and Tate's.
Although I had the opportunity of acting on "Friday Night Lights" as an extra and playing the principal role of Ginger Montgomery in the local daytime drama, "Shades of Life", I finally realized that my true calling was what my mother had been trying to get me to do all these years.....sing!
I stepped out of everything I was involved in, laid my acting hat down, and started writing. I poured my heart and soul out onto that paper and took the things I loved about all the music I listened to as a child a merged it into my own sound. Actually, I already had a lot of songs written. After all, this is my natural talent and first love.
It took me a little over 2 years to put "Vitamin D" together. This was a road I had never traveled and was a learning process every step of the way. Prior to the release of "Vitamin D" I joined another cover band called "Groove Knight" to re-acclimate myself to the stage and knock the dust off. Groove Knight has been wildly successful and exploded the Austin market since we launched the project.
Now the time has come to make the impact my mother always wanted me to make. The time has come for me to make my mark and stand apart. I released my project in June of 2010. Another chapter of my life has begun. A new learning experience is taking place. And I couldn't be more thrilled and excited about what is happening and going to happen.
Having already played MoMo's, Whole Foods, and Lucky Lounge in Austin, TX. since the release, the feedback is tremendous! New music is being written and work has already begun on the next album. So jump on and hold on because it's gonna be one hell of a ride! Look out world....I'm coming!
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