Hailing from Gainsboro, North Carolina, Daniel Vaughan has brought forth another sensual single to absorb.
Released July 3, 2023, it seems to be an addition to a slew of singles leading towards a rumored second installment of his EP "Lofi Songs." Before we get too excited, let's thoroughly soak in the topic of the moment, his refreshing single, "Somebody."
Daniel Vaughan's sound is an eclectic blend of R&B, Vaporwave, Lofi Hop, and Pop. These new sounds compliment his lyricism that shines through on "Somebody." It is an ode to an almost sinful love. Daniel seems to be battling between genuine connection and infatuation, where he is not convinced that this significant other is his "Somebody."
Poetic excerpts such as "Making love in sin, looking for answers to find out you're not who you are, but you make me believe, you are my somebody," emphasize these emotions. In addition to the songwriting, the melody-riddled R&B vocal performance pulls these feelings to the forefront of the record, accentuating his influences.
Daniel's continual growth and improvement in all areas are notable, as his songwriting, production value, and vocal performances have been on a steady incline and show no signs of stopping.
Introspect on love, lust, and superficial connection with Daniel Vaughan's' heart-wrenching new single, "Somebody," out everywhere now.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Daniel Vaughan! "Somebody" is a beautiful record, the mesh of genres you've created is a vibe, and the song's subject hits deep. What does your creative process entail for the making of this poetic track?
Thank you so much! So, I wrote "Somebody" in January. I had just released my first EP several months before and wanted to write more music. I began browsing Beatstars at the suggestion of my co-worker, who's also an artist. So taking his advice, I browsed through the website to see what would eventually catch my ear, and I came across a track by this producer that goes by the name of Gus the Beatmaker, who specializes in "artist" type beats, which included Tyler, The Creator, Dominic Fike, and Steve Lacy.
Musically, I was at a point where I wanted to try something different, and after listening to the track multiple times, the lyrics started to come very naturally. I wrote drafts both at home and at work. I often had to sneak away from my desk so no one could hear me record lines on my phone. And with what I had come up with, I would record in the makeshift studio in my bedroom. The lyrics I wrote were primarily based on something I experienced before the song's inception. The first line that came to mind was "Where are you going?" which I thought was a strong opener because the feelings I felt at the time were terrifying, and I've never felt that way about anyone, and I kept asking myself if it was real, which begged the question, "Are you, my somebody?"
What advice would you give someone experiencing a similar relationship to the one unfolding in "Somebody?"
Take the risk of seeing where that relationship can go. Whether the outcome is good or bad, it's an experience nevertheless, and any experience is an opportunity. I say that because not only does it help give new perspectives and set up preparation for the next event, but it also provides growth opportunities.
Do you yearn for true love currently, or is more healing still taking place?
Both. I can honestly admit that to myself. Love is beautiful, and I truly believe someone is there for everyone. But I feel it's truly important for any individual, including myself, to learn to love themselves first before anyone else can. Healing takes time, and it's okay to take the time to do that.
We know your involvement in the "Bad Art Collective" in the Greensboro area. How has being part of this collective influenced your artistic direction?
The collective is an amalgamation of many creatives, not just musicians. The collective was conceived last year, and what makes it so great is that I got to reconnect with the collective leader. We went to school together growing up. Just seeing how far she's grown as a person and as an artist is very inspiring. And seeing how hard every one of the members of the collective work to find ways to express their creativity motivates me to try new things and express myself in ways I never would've imagined.
Will the release of the second installment of "Lofi Songs" continue the sonic direction of "Somebody?"
You know, it actually would be cool to do that. Bedroom pop is like the cousin of Lofi Hip Hop, so they're not too far out of range with each other. I've already recorded a few demos, but I think incorporating the bedroom pop elements into Lofi Songs 2 would be cool.
