Heo Daniel
This April, I traveled to Seoul, South Korea searching for a new artist attempting to gain knowledge on international underground music. I wanted to see if foreign underground markets could still make international borders. From the concept, it would seem that this discussion could have an easy answer – if not already main-stream in their respective countries, how could these artist seek a level of popularity oversees? The answer is entirely more complicated than that. When appreciating music of different cultures – especially as self-proclaimed lovers of the music & recording industry – we as listeners greatly benefit from foreign underground artists. These artists, just as our own underground artists from our respective countries, provide a higher level of ‘person-hood’ to the music industry easier than mainstream artists. A sense of relatability through emotion and connection to the foreign country comes easier through an artist we have a closer connection too; Whether it be by their music or an easier access with interactions via social media
Although this may come with a point of hypocrisy, understanding that some of these artists seek fame in the future for a multitude of understandable reasons, an artist going through the routes of personal methods to obtain success, we as listeners and fans have a better connection to an artist rather than someone who has the immediate backing of a highly known company. Thus meaning, once these artists do reach a point of success, fans won’t automatically be turned away, and can in fact, be a point of continuous recruiting of newer fans.
In the case of South Korea, K-Pop is often a point of interest to foreigners, often being the reason why many people travel to the small peninsula. However, the country still offers a music industry filled with people who decide not go this common path to success. That is where the artist Heo Daniel comes in.
Heo Daniel is a South Korean artist debuting in 2021 and has songs such as ‘YJ’ (which is actually one of his favorites!) and ‘Thursday Night’ from his album Hideournight release in early 2022. However, Heo Daniel has recently released a second album this past June which is an equally great listen. I interviewed him on both his music and his personal story in relation to his love of music and his goals he has an artist. Quickly into the interview process, I learned that Heo Daniel is not just someone I would enjoy listening to, but also someone I would love to have a fan-connection with. His personality & music gives listeners and fans alike a sense of relatability. Heo Daniel’s music is best to listen to ‘whenever you feel sad,’ with citing former relationships being a reason behind some of his songs – and nearly everyone can relate to heartbreak.
His music is best for being in bed listening to your own thoughts, a late-night drive to the best view-spot in your city, or a late-night chill-session with your friends after a long night with some drinks. All moments and moods that I find myself in very often.
When asking Heo Daniel about his perspective on the music industry in Korea, he understood the levels of success K-Pop has oversees, but equally acknowledges the hard work put into growing independent artists often by the independent artists themselves – such as individual financial support. As a growing artist, he sites Kanye West as an artist he likes musically. I even briefly compared some his songs matching a similar vibe of ‘Violent Crimes’ from the artist now known as Ye. I would also like to note that he seems fitting in the 88rising crowd, something along the lines of Joji.
When talking about foreign artist, he mentioned the aspirations he has for himself in hopes of becoming a great artist himself. He – one day – wants to travel to the U.S. and see Hollywood. Just before my trip to Korea, I saw that Heo Daniel had some performances alongside some other artists he has collaborated with (in which you will see on his albums!). He discussed that the feeling was nerve-wracking, but hopes to see the day where he can perform in front of hundreds and thousands of fans and no longer feel the anxieties – just experience pure joy and excitement. He also intends on having a music video he is incredibly proud of in the future.
As for myself, when taking a deep-dive into his 2022 album, I can say I enjoyed ‘hosanna’ the most. Although, my Korean is not the greatest (despite having tried studying since my first time abroad almost a decade ago), I simply just understood the sound of the song – which unfortunately is cut like a short interlude, but music fans always know the shortest of songs are almost always the best. Overall, I simply loved the production of the song. The simplicity of the track can be quite expansive, but the vocals move me quite well. It is a song with simplicity and intensity. It follows an easy and clear pattern and progression, and other than the fact that this will be on my Spotify Warped top listened tracks, it’s a song that can fit into the playlists of many of my friends and has a sound that is similar to other songs I have listened to, yet has a level of uniqueness that satisfies both my ears and brain. I would also like to applaud the consistent use of a piano or guitar within some of his production, all that further helps the simplicity of a song that many can immediately turn to. I truly hope this songs gets recognition in the near future.
I believe Heo Daniel is a force that will break into the market sooner than you would think. I wish nothing but the best for his career and would really encourage you to listen if you can relate to the moods he and I explained earlier. Listening to Heo Daniel gives an ethereal – almost magical – feeling to the moods of depression and sadness; Opposite of glorying the feeling, his music gives life to a state often associated with the lack thereof, and to acknowledge this feeling is to give people a reason to connect to an artist.
Special Thanks to Heo Daniel, 2023.
