Culture Cabinet

There are few things quite so serendipitous as discovering a new artist. In October of last year, I attended a Suki Waterhouse in Charlotte, where I was first introduced to the music of Danielle Durack, who was one of the openers for Suki. 

Something about Durack’s music resonated with me. Perhaps it was the deep-cutting lyrics that were weaved through a warm acoustic sound. Maybe it was the way her music felt like the kind that you would put on while curling up with a cup of coffee on a rainy day. Maybe it was Durack’s ability to capture the audience with nothing but her airy vocals and acoustic guitar. Or, maybe it was just that I really enjoyed her stripped-down acoustic cover of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” 

Whatever it was, I found myself promptly making my way over to the merch stand after her set, eager to buy her last two albums on vinyl. Which is why I was particularly excited to find myself interviewing Durack over Zoom about her new album, Escape Artist, out today. 

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, Durack has been writing music since she was young, picking up various instruments in college. “No one in my family is really musical or anything like that,” she explains, “I think I just have always been drawn to it. I’ve felt compelled to do it honestly since as long as I can remember.” 

Durack put out her first demo in 2014 with a friend, (“I recorded vocals, like in his closet, you know, that kind of studio situation,” she says) before releasing her first official album Bonnie Rose in 2017, and releasing two other studio albums, Bashful in 2019, and No Place in 2021. Escape Artist marks her fourth studio album. 

The album itself features nine tracks, all written by Durack. The songs match the overall feel of her previous albums – the same acoustic singer-songwriter feel that is evidently influenced by some of Durack’s biggest inspirations, like Sara Bareilles and boygenius. But there’s something about this album that feels different. Almost as if this is the Durack who feels settled in her voice as an artist, who’s willing to peel back the layers of vulnerability a bit more. 

“I think sometimes I have like an objective,” she says about her approach to creating a new album. “And it’s not as much like I’m gonna write songs about this concept. It’s more like, this is the mental space that I’m putting myself in, in creating this work. Usually, I’ve got the the concept for the album, or the ‘era’ in mind, before I have the music more times than not, but this was not one of those times.” 

Escape Artist serves a wider purpose for Durack than being boxed into one particular mold. Transcending mere labels like a “breakup album,” Escape Artist is what Durack calls “a collage of different things happening in my life that are shoved together and presented to the world.” 

“Escapism seems to be the through line for all [the songs on the album],” she says. “Whether it’s like escaping from a toxic relationship, escaping from life, or running from love. Escaping from life itself. It just seemed like a fitting title for the record.” 

It’s Durack’s ability to draw on her own personal experiences that make the album resonate with the listener. She notes that while all the songs have a special meaning to her, given that they stem from her own life, “Dean” stands out to her as the one that has the most significance. 

“It’s a song about a person who meant a lot to me. And, you know, he has since passed away, so it’s a tribute to him, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to listen to that song or play it without getting chills or feeling that lump in my throat.” 

“Dean” is certainly a stand out track on the album. A melancholy and wistful reflection on grief, and a desire for one last connection with one that’s passed on. Other standouts include “Worms,” a grittier breakup song, “Shirt Song,” the album’s first single, and “The Door.” 

However, the entire album is a strong entry to Durack’s discography, as each track makes an unavoidable connection with the listener, which is what Durack says she seeks to do. 

“I want to make people feel the way that my favorite artists have made me feel,” she says. “That indescribable feeling of just like either connection or joy, or solace, or comfort or whatever. That feeling of knowing someone that you’ve never met.” 

She says she also hopes that listeners take away a feeling of being comfortable in their own skin. 

“I want to be so comfortable in my skin and so authentically myself, and just freely sharing, so much so that it emboldens other people to do the same and gives other people permission to do that. That’s kind of a life goal than a career goal. I just want to be me and let other people be them.” 

As someone who’s experienced the warmth of Danielle Durack firsthand, I can tell you that listening to her music accomplishes that goal. But, I’d encourage you to do yourself a favor and see for yourself. 

You can stream Escape Artist below: