In the Country with Dave Woods:
DANI

DANI is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter whose music is deeply rooted in her rich cultural heritage. She was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and raised in Mississauga. Music has been a central part of her life from an early age – starting with guitar lessons in church as a teenager and later performing with her high school a cappella group. Their success, winning first place at the Dufferin Peel Annual Music Week and advancing to regional competition finals, helped her develop an early passion for performance and songwriting.

DANI’s musical journey took a pivotal turn while studying at the University of Edinburgh, where she rediscovered her love for storytelling through song.
In 2023, she released her debut single “Carolina Gold”. The song not only helped to establish her distinctive sound but also earned significant recognition. “Carolina Gold” was a finalist at the International Tin Pan Songwriting Festival and the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) Contest, showcasing her songwriting talent on an international stage.

Hi Dani! Great to have you as my December guest here In The Spotlight! Tell us about your debut single, “Carolina Gold”.
Hi Dave! Thank you so much for having me – I’m beyond excited to be here with you!
I’m thrilled to share the story behind “Carolina Gold”. As my debut single, this song holds a special place in my heart—it marks the beginning of my journey as an artist, a journey that began a year ago. The inspiration for the song came during a camping trip on a chilly July weekend. I vividly remember humming the line “she’s got flowers in her hair, doesn’t have a care about the world” over and over as I sat in nature, feeling both grounded and completely disconnected from the music I had once loved. At the time, I was creatively burnt out, and songwriting felt like a distant memory.

I was surrounded by people who consistently undermined me and tried to dim my light. It became a constant battle of convincing myself that my passion for music didn’t matter, that I should just “settle” for what was deemed realistic or acceptable. But that moment in the quiet of nature was a turning point. It was as if the universe was telling me to embrace who I truly am – and to pursue what makes my soul come alive, no matter what.

“Carolina Gold” emerged from that realization. It became a declaration to myself – and to anyone who hears it – that we don’t have to be defined by our circumstances or anyone else’s limitations. The dream is never “too late” or “too big.” Whether you’re a writer, an artist, a scientist – whatever your passion is – Carolina Gold is a call to step into your full potential and stop letting fear, doubt, or the opinions of others hold you back.

The song is also a reminder to ask yourself, “Would my younger self be proud of the person I’m becoming?” It’s about reconnecting with your childhood dreams and realizing it’s never too late to start pursuing them. To me, Carolina Gold represents courage, clarity, and the unapologetic pursuit of what makes you come alive.

So, what’s your Carolina Gold? What dream, what mindset, or what passion have you been putting off, waiting for the “right time” to pursue?
This song is my invitation to everyone to stop waiting – and start living that dream today. Since its release in 2023, I’ve been so blessed to meet incredible people and see “Carolina Gold” make its way into some amazing opportunities. It was selected as a finalist in the 2024 International Tin Pan Songwriting Seminar by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, as well as in the 2024 UK-based Coffee Music Project’s Best Original Song Contest – Planet Earth Competition. It’s been such an honour to see the song resonate with others. I’m so excited for 2025!

Who are some of the artists who have inspired you on your path to being an artist – and why?
That’s such a great question. It’s hard for me to narrow down on everyone, but I’d say overall my musical influences come from a wide variety of genres and eras. I’ve always been inspired by legends like Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams, whose timeless sound shaped so much of what I love. The Eagles and Queen both have such a distinct and powerful way of blending storytelling with unforgettable melodies.

I also draw a lot of inspiration from Latin music, with artists like Morat, Carlos Vives, Selena Quintanilla and Juanes bringing that undeniable rhythm and soul. I’m equally influenced by artists like The Lumineers, Carly Simon, Gregory Alan Isakov, and The War on Drugs, who blend folk, indie, and rock in such a raw and emotive way. And then there’s an iconic mix of voices like Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Phil Collins, and George Michael, whose vocal artistry is simply unparalleled. I can’t forget about classic bands like Chicago and Rascal Flatts, as well as country legends like Linda Ronstadt and Faith Hill, whose ability to connect emotionally through music is something I really admire.

I’m also a huge fan of Sacha, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves and Lainey Wilson- they give me chills every time I listen to their music. There’s such a depth of artistry in each of these musicians, and they’ve all played a role in shaping the way I approach music.

I’ve had you out at my writers rounds, and your songs are always so great. When did you first begin to write songs, and what inspired you to do so?
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that! I’ve been writing poetry since I was able to read and write as a kid, but it was when I was eight years old that I first started turning those words into songs. My parents gave me my first guitar for Christmas, and that gift was a game-changer – it allowed me to put my thoughts and emotions to music. Writing became a way for me to express myself, and it’s been a natural extension of my creative process ever since. I’m so lucky to have had such wonderful English teachers in elementary and high school, like Mr. Crane, who took me seriously from a young age and pushed me to be better and really love writing. I would always find myself writing songs and humming melodies during my physics and science classes.

What are some songwriting tips you would pass on to new writers?
For new songwriters, my biggest piece of advice would be that the hardest part is often just getting started. It’s natural to want to create music and lyrics that feel timeless, that transcend different eras and stay relevant. But it’s important to remember that the process is built on trial and error. Don’t be afraid to fail – in fact, fail super super hard over and over again. Allow yourself to fail big, because each failure brings you closer to finding your voice. Get it all out of your system so that you make space for the good stuff. Make it a habit to write a little every day, even if it’s just a few lines. Consistency is key, and like anything else in life, it takes discipline, work and determination, which I remind myself all the time. Read as much as you can, not just music, but books, news articles, anything that sparks your creativity. Stay inspired by the world around you, but don’t fall into the trap of trying to copy others. The best songs come from being authentic to the message you want to convey. Trust yourself, stay humble, and learn as much as you can.

What part of being an artist do you find the most challenging, and how do you handle it?
I would say for some artists like myself, there’s a certain sense of imposter syndrome when you create a song. We tend to be our own worst critics, and I think that can be a good thing to an extent, because it forces us to create better music every time. At the same time, trying to achieve a certain level of perfectionism kills creativity and can be the most challenging aspect of being an artist. Sometimes I find myself listening to a mix a thousand times, after making tons of revisions and tweaks. At the back of my mind, I’m always thinking there’s something more I can do to make it “just right.”

But over time, I’ve learned that the most powerful moment comes when you can hit play and feel the song—the raw emotion, the story, the character it brings to life. That’s when I know the song is ready. It’s about trusting the process, trusting the emotion behind it, and realizing that sometimes the imperfections are what make the music resonate most.

At the end of the day, release your music even if you’re not entirely sure it’s perfect. If it transports the listener and people can feel connected to it, release the song anyway.

You’ve played at a lot of great venues so far, and there are more new ones in your future. What is one stage you hope to perform on one day?
Thank you so much! It’s been such an honour and genuinely so much fun. I would love to perform at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. The venue is just stunning – the acoustics are amazing, and there’s just something so ethereal about performing under the stars, surrounded by nature. It would be a dream to experience that kind of connection with my audience.

Who would be your ultimate duet partner – and why?
My ultimate duet partner would be Jelly Roll. Not only is he incredibly talented, but he also seems like a kind person. His authenticity really shines through, and it feels like such a breath of fresh air. I’m always moved by his speeches—especially his 2023 CMA Award speech. I feel like his heart is in the right place, and he has such a powerful way of connecting with people. I love working and surrounding myself with people like that. To me, that’s what music is all about – creating something that touches and brings people together.

What are your hopes and plans for 2025 with your music career?
In 2025, I’m excited to take my music career to the next level. I’m planning to release more tracks, perform at even more shows, and explore new creative collaborations through co-writing in Nashville. Stepping outside my comfort zone is key – I’m eager to challenge myself and grow both as an artist and a songwriter.

Watch DANI’s Carolina Gold music video here.

Follow DANI on Instagram