New Music: Danielle Allard Releases Chameleon
May 9th Danielle Allard celebrated the release of her newest album Chameleon to a packed crowd inside The Bourbon Room. The evening was amazingly entertaining with balloon-animal makers, photo booths, and comedians. The songstress was joined by her band of merry musicians featured on the album, along with Ashley Newall on bongos. The large backdrop canvas painted by Allard for her album cover was cut up afterwards and offered on smaller 8×11 boards along with “I’m With The Band” t-shirts and Chameleon albums for swag. The album was released for purchase May 12th following the release, and can be purchased locally at Compact Music or online.
Allard’s successful night was hard-earned making the album. Her initial success came from the mind-blowing support she received during Chameleon’s crowdfunding campaign, which overshot its mark and closed at 132% of her goal. This came in the wake of the original studio set to record the album pulling out in the 11th hour, and later the original venue for her album release bowing out due to being under construction. Allard worked full-time and had to navigate the schedules of the five other guest musicians on the album, all with their own work and personal schedules during the recording process as well. Gallery Recording Studio soon became her home, with Dean Watson producing the album and providing multi-instrumentalist back-up. She was also accompanied by guitarist Justin Duhaime and Sebastian Romanutti on keys along with trumpet player Ed Lister and drummer Jamie Holmes, the latter of both better known for being in the Chocolate Hot Pockets.
Allard’s first single off the album is titled “Crown” and is a slow, melodic ballad that has long soulful notes from the trumpet and keys accompanying her voice, and is the first of Chameleon’s songs to have a music video. The album is a rollercoaster of emotions, from pop happiness to deep reflective sadness. The touching and soulful “Shipwreck” will have you reaching for the tissues, while the happy, rhythmic tune of “Little Demons” will get stuck in your head and immediately become your go-to song for rough days.
Allard is passionately involved in the Ottawa community, incorporating it wherever she can in her music.
“Supporting local arts and business has always been important to me. I am inspired by the passion in our city,” Allard said. Artist Marcus Lamoureux of Skullcap Promotions was auctioning off one of his unique steam-punk guitars at the album release, and both her guitar and ukulele were crafted by local luthier Patrick Hawley. Allard is styled by local designer Kristie Lance for all of her shows and appearances, and held residency last summer and fall at Lowertown Brewery. Starting this June, Allard takes up residency at Live! on Elgin every Thursday night with an every-changing variety of local guest musicians. She has also been accepted as one of the #Ottmusik musicians featured on the City of Ottawa’s hold-line during its second round, coming in January 2016.
Catch up with Danielle on Facebook, Twitter and her website. Make friends with her at her upcoming shows, she’s always happy for more. Physical copies of the Chameleon can be purchased through CD Baby or Compact Music stores. Chameleon is also available online through iTunes, Spotify, iHeartRadio and Google Music.