Desray

It may not be the genre that we are used to regarding this artist, but this is the style that fits Desray like a perfect outfit. With the release of her single You Can Be Loved she created a new image. Nice to meet you: Desray, for all your catchy Country pop full of Folk-, soul- and Americana influences.

The name Desray has been a big one for many years in the Dutch music landscape. After she won the Soundmixshow at 18 years old with her rendition of Anita Meyer she was recruited to start working for the legendary Joop van den Ende. As singer of 2 Brothers On The 4^th Floor she scored multiple world hits and still performs often in the Netherlands and abroad. Desray is an entrepreneur and works as a vocal coach for Vocal Center, the biggest Dutch network of voice specialists. She also organizes singing related workshops for businesses. The workshops cause mutual commitment, the resolving of problems and happiness. ‘In the workshops people learn to get to know each other in another way than at work. The human side of people shines through and that causes people to better understand each other. Singing is a wonderful way to express yourself and I want to help people realise that.’

Music is a binding factor and to keep feeling the connection Desray also organizes performances in the form of intimate ‘Livingroom concerts’. Once a month, she presents Music Legends and Back to the Essence with a band and well-known guest artists at different locations in the country.

The work with 2 Brothers On The 4^th Floor is something that she really likes to do. ‘Nineties-parties are very popular with fans and are a guaranteed good time. As long as we and the public both enjoy it, we will continue. It is part of me but it’s not my future. I am more interested in singing of dance-songs, want to work on new songs in the studio and play with my band. ‘The flow that is created while playing a live band is magical.’ Thus why Desray decided to look for an own musical direction, a style which would give her new energy. Because she is really diverse, finding an own direction was difficult. It took a few years before she figured it out. ‘I wanted to create something unique, a style that was mine and which I could sing with the use of my own passion and heart.’

In her search she went back to her roots, the music that her parents used to play at home:
Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and The Eagles. Desray also looked into present-day artists. That’s how she stumbled upon the countryband Rascal Flatts, a big player in the USA. Female sources of inspiration were singers like Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, Carry Underwood, Sheryl crow and Melissa Etheridge. Besides that she discovered the series Nashville and especially its music. ‘Beautiful songs, that move me. That’s the kind of music that I also want to make’

the city of Nashville seemed to be a good place to begin. There she found writing partners, like the Nashville-based Irish artist Don Mescall who wrote for artists like Sharon Corr (The Corrs), Ronan Keating and (there they are again!) Rascal Flatts. She also recorded a duet with Richie McDonalds from the legendary countryband Lonestar and wrote together with Tony Cornelissen (Kane, DI-RECT, and Van Dik Hout). With producer Patrick Drabe, she went into the studio and together they are working to shape her new musical direction. Her new album will be released in September 2018. The first result is convincing: the single ‘You Can be Loved’ is a perfect preview of what is to come. The single is not only musically perfect but the message is also very important to Desray. ‘‘You Can Be Loved’ is about the minorities in our society and the people who promote their interests and whom I admire a lot. For me it’s important that my texts bring positive thoughts into the world. Not writing and singing out of anger, but out of love.’ To put extra power behind this idea, the clip of the single was recorded in the Cocon, a homeless shelter centre in Hilversum. It’s only the first page of a new chapter for Desray. Secretly, she is already dreaming about the next step, of playing at festivals and eventually a theatre tour. With songs of herself and others who inspire her, from powerful to small and sensitive. ‘I want to be able to see the public, to make a connection with people. To share an honest and universal message. Through music we will be able to get in touch with our feelings and our hearts. That’s what gives me power, and that’s how we close the circle.’