DAJA
"She's intelligent, integral, sexy, and spiritual.
I fall in love with her every time she sings like it's the first time."
- Sam Wahl, Get Off the Couch Chicago
Who is she?
Colombiana, Soul Singer, Teacher
Musician Daniela Sloan (a.k.a DAJA) has been songwriting and singing since age 11. She is a salsa dancing Colombiana, a former actress and professional flamenco dancer. Today she graces the stage with her acoustic soul. Backed by her guitar and upright bassist Scott Bakshis, she sings with the classic sound of Nina Simone blended with the lyrical approach and poetry of Jill Scott. Her sound lingers between hip-hop, blues, and Latin as her Colombian heritage dictates. A high school educator by day and a performer at heart, Daniela exudes BIG soul.
Daniela has performed internationally, interviewed on WBEZ's “The Morning Shift,” (Chicago Public Radio) and opened for the British band Fink of Ninja Tunes Records, on their world tour. In 2016, Daniela collaborated with French electronic artists WAEK to write and produce "On The Road," released through Believe Digital Studios in Europe. She is also a reccurring performer in notable Chicago showcases The Paper Machete and SoFar Sounds.
Daniela is first and foremost a writer and educator. In 2013 she merged her two passions together by writing and recording "Speak Loudly," with the Chicago's Children's Choir, a tune calling for change in our broken education system. Daniela is set to record again soon!
Music
News
SHOWS 2018
January 31, 2018
GREEN MILL PAPER MACHETE, Dec. 29, 2018 , 3pm
HUNGRY BRAIN w/Anna Soltys, Jan. 25, 2019 , 9pm
MARTYR'S, w/The Imperial Sound, Sept. 24, 9:00pm
THE HIDEOUT w/Lindsay and the Light Go Out, Feb. 15 - 8:30pm
THE HUNGRY BRAIN w/Belle Isle, July 20 -9pm
For booking email daniela.sloan@gmail.com
The DAJA Sessions
June 28, 2017
LaRon Phillps (IG @Carlos James1315) documented a recording session for the single "Stone Face" to be released in Winter 2018 through FM Productions. The session was of the french horn section - Sarah Ference, Andy Frickle, Marti Kallenberger and Alex Wasily on trombone.
The Future is Female
March 19, 2017
On March 19, Daniela Sloan was the musical headliner for the sold-out FUTURE IS FEMALE FESTIVAL in Chicago presented by FM Productions. The theater production showcased the vision and incredible voices of 11 amazing Chicago and international female playwrights.
All media inquiries can be directed to: daniela@daja.love
Instagram: @daja.music, Twitter: @D_Acousticsoul
(Photo credit: @carlosjames1315)
January 20, 2017
"It Could Be Beautiful” submitted to NPR's Tiny Desk Contest, 2017.
