DCPA THE EXCLUSIVE

Danny Hughes (DCPA) is an electronic music producer and DJ from Aledo, Texas. His story began like many musicians’ growing up. Born into a family of musicians, he learned to play the piano, trumpet, guitar, and work with production software in academic music programs as a kid. Danny built a solid foundation in the craft, but eventually pursued an accounting degree in college while at Texas Tech. After graduating in 2011, he worked as a CPA for 9 years in Dallas. Electronic music grew exponentially in the US during this time, prompting him to re-visit his place in the music world. Building an artist career was not easy with a full-time corporate job, but his varied background in business and music allowed him to quickly navigate the modern music industry and connect with those who believed in him, including a production team at Nimble Agency all the way from Amsterdam. From 2016-2020 Danny allocated most of his free time to building his artist career as DCPA, distributed over twenty tracks with Symphonic, traveled the world to attend major festivals, and in 2020 he made the decision to go full time into the music business. Danny now works as a professional DJ And Music Producer in Austin TX.

Thank you for letting us interview you! Let us in on your new music! When did you record it?

Likewise, thank you for bringing me onto your channel! I wrote my latest track ‘I Feel It Too’ this past summer. In April 2022 I began manifesting the song based on reflections of significant past connections in my life. I started with a melody and I searched Splice sounds for any samples containing the title ‘I Feel It Too’ as a lyric, or something close to it. I found a solid recording of the phrase “I Feel It Too” as part of the Kate Wild sample pack and then went through a bunch of verses in the Jovani Occomy Vocal Sessions to fill in the story line. I grew the track from a chill house arrangement into more of an electro house, festival ready production. I ended up down the path of adding all sorts of new layers of guitar riffs, vocal chops, and a deeper, more percussive bassline.

Any writing traditions you have when you’re in that mode?

I keep an intuitive mindset when writing, and I pair that with a repetitive trial and error process around the track. So, I’ll basically try out various musical patterns and instruments built off the melody I’m working with until I get a full demo track arranged. Then I go through a passive and active listening process to search for improvements. This combines a focused, technical analysis of the music in the studio and more free flowing activities (like hiking, driving in a car, listening while doing chores, etc). Doing this helps me build on the musicality, but also the vibe or the feeling of the track. We notice different things in active vs passive environments so it’s important to address both the conscious and subconscious effect on the listener.

Any other traditions you have when you’re in your recording process?

I’ll work relentlessly on a song until I struggle to find additional improvements. At that point, I let go of the track for at least a few days and work on something else, listen to music from other artists, or contemplate the artwork style, videography, and messaging for the release on social media. All these traditions breed the necessary inspiration to bring the track together.

What challenges come with recording?

There’s the challenge of getting off on the best possible starting point with any sounds you’re using. Whether they are original recordings or samples found online, you need everything to be cohesive from the beginning of production or else you end up stuck in a loop trying to nail down the technical stuff, and that can stifle creativity. Going between the creative and scientific side of music can really take a lot of time, you must find a synergy in the process. There’s a lot of “what if I change this or that” but eventually if something is not broken, you shouldn’t try and fix it.

Who did you collaborate with in the studio?

I produced ‘I Feel It Too’ in my home studio, getting feedback from my music career coaches along the way. The vocals can be credited to those artists mentioned above whose samples I found online.

Any recording stories you have that you’ll remember forever from this music? Please share one with us!

When I think of the latest track, I remember wandering at night, hiking in the woods around my RV in Austin TX, contemplating my past life connections and getting in tune with the purpose of those relationships and realizing the stagnant, unresolved energies left therefrom. I was able to make sense of a lot of things from a spiritual, 5thdimensional perspective and re-ground my energy. It’s affected my mindset toward music in a very positive way.

What do you want fans to appreciate about your artistry when it comes to the new music?

I hope fans can see the intent behind my artistry. My mission is to make music which connects with the heart and soul while keeping a fun vibe. I want fans to recognize the significant undertones and add existential value to the listener.

After the new year we typically forget about our resolutions, have you kept yours when it comes to your music making?

I’ve fallen short of my ‘stretch goal’ which was to release at least 6 new tracks this year, but I’m still proud of the progress I’ve made on my projects so they can be released next year. It’s been over 2 years since pursuing music full time, after my 10 years working an accounting career. In 2021 I mostly focused on my DJ gigs, seeing how crowds react in a live setting and reinventing myself as an artist. As I worked on my new music in 2022 I realized how much I could learn in the studio to improve on my own music and define my mission.

Give us your link for the music to stream, stream, stream!

Listen to ‘I Feel It Too’ on my Spotify or any of the platforms below today!

Thank you for chatting with us! Where can our audience go to follow and support your stellar music journey!

Thanks again! I always enjoy opportunities to share the story behind my craft as DCPA.

⇒ Amazon

⇒ Apple Music

⇒ Audius

⇒ Beatport

⇒ Deezer

⇒ Facebook

⇒ FENIX360-iOS/Android App

⇒ Instagram