Catch Of The Week: Danielle Miraglia
Meet: Danielle Miraglia from Somerville, MA
(photo by Caroline Alden)
If Maren Morris and Mick Jagger had a baby, it might just be Danielle Miraglia. Danielle has the chops to rock, and it appears her soul is steeped in blues, but she’s never far from her guitar, and a piece of paper and pen. At least that’s what I imagine, listening to some of the cuts on this gifted singer/songwriter’s album, All My Heroes Are Ghosts. Like Maren, Miraglia is vocal dynamite and can morph from genre to genre effortlessly. And even when she’s showing softness and vulnerability, you get the feeling she’s just waiting to jump into a raspy rock vocal riff, like Jagger. Turns out, Jagger, happens to be one of her heroes. No ghost.
Miraglia grew up in Everett with music literally oozing into her home from above. It was a couple of older boys who lived upstairs booming rock and roll, for all impressionable ears to hear. Danielle was into Michael Jackson at the time, but before long, it was Jagger that had her crushing. And it was the Stone’s Tattoo You album she brought in for show and tell in kindergarten, much to the dismay of her teacher. (Inside sleeve was a furry foot in a stiletto heel!)
The musical porridge Danielle has fed on has been diverse, to say the least, from pop to hip hop, metal and everything in between and sideways. At 13 years old, she picked up a guitar and hasn’t put it down since. She went to Emerson College in Boston to study creative writing, but left feeling like her creativity may be elsewhere, like… Arizona. It was there that she realized music was her calling. From then on, it was open mic nights to feed Danielle’s soul. She said, “So, when we got back, I looked up local open mics and found the Kendall Café in Cambridge (now closed). I played a couple of sad cheesy originals and the audience kindly listened and didn’t throw anything at me. Meeting the other open micers was like finding my tribe. That was it. All I wanted to do was pursue playing music and nothing else.”
Danielle Drops In
I was thrilled to host Danielle recently so we could be treated to live acoustic versions of two of the songs on her album!
With the title track from her impressive album, All My Heroes Are Ghosts, Danielle honors some of her idols
We’ve all felt this way… listen to the clever, “Everybody’s Wrong”
For your listening enjoyment, here’s the official studio recording of “All My Heroes Are Ghosts”
A Moment with Miraglia
- Instruments played: Guitar, a little bit of harmonica
- How would you describe your sound: Roots/Folk/Blues
- Who inspires you: Artists who put every bit of their soul into what they do. My favorites of all time are Prince, Janis Joplin, the Rolling Stones and Tina Turner
- Band name, and how came up with it: My band is called Danielle M and The Glory Junkies. I had a song and an album called “Glory Junkies” where the ongoing theme was the culture of narcissism. And the irony of commenting on that as a performer, considering that a huge part of that is expecting people to watch and listen to you. I thought it made for a fun band name
- Awards and Accolades: Nominated for 2018 “Blues Artist of the Year” by Boston Music Awards, Nominated for 2015 “Songwriter of the Year” by Boston Music Awards. Nominated 2018 “Roots Act of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year” by New England Music Awards
- All- time favorite country songs: “My Heart Would Know” by Hank Williams and “Daddy” by Dolly Parton
- Favorite country concert: Anything involving Willie Nelson
- Current Country 1025 favorites: Anything that was written by our hometown girl Lori McKenna “Girl crush” – Little Big Town, “Humble and kind” – Tim McGraw
- If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: Visual arts, comedy writing or novel writing…ya know all practical stuff to fall back on!
- Day Job (if applicable): No “day job” really for a long time now, but for the last bunch of years I’ve been teaching guitar and songwriting. I recommend teaching to any musician for keeping you on top things. It’s made me a better musician
- Most proud moment: Not necessarily some big accolade or life-moment, but anytime I feel like I’ve accomplished something new creatively or reached a new level musically. It can be anything from a guitar piece I’ve been working on to a new song that I’m happy with
- Other things you like to do and/or fun facts: I keep myself pretty busy musically by being versatile with the types of gigs I play. On most nights of the week I’m either playing a show with my band – the Glory Junkies, a solo show or playing with some of our local blues players on one of their residencies. So when I’m not playing music, it’s about down time at home with my husband and stepson. I also like boxing when I get the time and I’m addicted to comedy podcasts
(photo by Caroline Alden)
Danielle’s Dates
- Friday, February 22: Breaking Barriers: A Tribute to the Women Who Paved the Way at Me and Thee Coffeehouse – Marblehead, MA
w/Lisa Bastoni, Jenee Halstead and Samantha Farrell
- Tuesday, March 12: Red & Shorty’s in Dover, NH with Bob Halperin
Mingle With Miraglia
Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.
The Local Catch is powered by Shiner Bock, independently brewed in Texas, for Boston’s independent spirit. Boston is Shiner country!
*Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration on The Local Catch by emailing Kruser at carolyn.kruse@bbgi.com
