Sug Daniels discusses new releases, grounding habits, and inclusivity

Interview by Yarissa Luna

Sug Daniels discusses new releases, grounding habits, and inclusivity

Interview by Yarissa Luna

Photo by Nathalie Antonov (@nat.anto)

What is your name, where are you from, and where are you located? What are your pronouns? 

Sug Daniels from Smyrna, Delaware, currently living in Wilmington, Delaware. My pronouns are she/her.

 

What is your sign? 

Scorpio Sun, Scorpio Moon, Libra Rising.

 

How has your creative process changed from pre-pandemic to now? Are there any positives you’ve drawn from these changes?

Oh yes, absolutely. Being isolated and away from my band and friends forced me to create a more independent space for me in music. The ability to make music might have stopped, but the desire and need to make music never left me. It forced me to get more creative with my creativity. I picked up instruments and production while during lockdown, and the choice to let myself explore has been critical in where I am now.

You were recently signed to Weird Sister records. Tell us about this transition and any goals you have for your solo project, Sug Daniels. 

Yes! I’ve never been signed to a label before, but I like this crew. I put the first single ‘Heavy’ out in March. I had written, recorded, and mixed it myself. I released it through DistroKid and was just hoping people enjoyed it as much as I loved making it. Maybe three weeks later, they reached out and said they loved the song and would like to re-release it on their new label. I checked out their website and was in love with their mission of supporting LGBTQ+ and POC artists. The name and branding was killer, too. I’m a sucker for good branding. Deanna and Madison have been so supportive and allow me to be myself.

Photo by Sarah Laufer

From Left to Right: Deanna DiLandro and Madison Hetterly of Weird Sister Records 

What is your most recent release? 

My most recent release is a music video I made for ‘Heavy’. When the single was re-released I had already had this video done. I shot and edited it myself. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I had the tools around me and mostly just wanted to see what I could come up with. I wrote a little story about me being really thirsty all day for this girl. That’s not what the song is about but kind of what I felt like writing it, ha. I highly suggest it if you feel like watching me squirm for 3 minutes.

You’re a big proponent of self-reflection and balancing practices. What are some positive habits you’ve added to your daily routine? 

I can not speak enough about journaling. Life can be so distracting and we forget things all the time. Writing down instances in your life that you felt happy, sad, angry, excited, and loved just helps you remember who you are and how you’re growing. Sometimes I’ll open up an old journal from several years ago just to see what I was doing around that time. You’ll pick up on patterns you put yourself through and can catch cycles you go through faster so you can be prepared.

Photo by Nathalie Antonov (@nat.anto)

As it relates to community and inclusivity, how would you approach the goal of elevating LGBTQIA+ and POC artists and voices? 

By working my ass off lol! I am of that community and personally always wished I had more representation in the music, art, television and media that reflected the way I live and love. I don’t know a better way to elevate my community than to lead by example and live my life out, proud and true to the essence of who I am.  

What is your personal definition of success?

Success for me is when I feel like the thing I am doing and the people I’m around align with my morals and values. That’s it. That’s the tweet.

 

If you could talk to the version of yourself that was 10 years younger, what would you say? 

Go to therapy!

Photo by Nathalie Antonov (@nat.anto)

Are there any other mediums you’d like to explore other than music?

If I ever had the time and budget, I would LOVE to write and direct a short film. I have so many little ideas I would love to develop, but don’t have the time or resources. I would be very picky with who I worked with because I have very specific criteria for the film and movies I watch, so I wouldn’t want to make anything that was trash, ha.

 

Should we look out for any upcoming releases? 

My next single ‘Kintsugi’ will be out on July 12 on all streaming platforms. My debut solo EP ‘Franklin Street’ comes out September 3 via Weird Sister Records. Big shout out to the lovely Sam Nobles for mixing and mastering the tracks! Love you, my Scorpio brother.

 

Follow Sug Daniels Online: 

Instagram

Twitter

Youtube

 

Follow Weird Sister Records Online: 

Instagram 

Twitter 

Website