Dané voices out

Dané performed songs from her latest album, Lewe vir my, which she describes as a compilation of country and pop music.

“The producers of the production initially called my vocal coach, Vera-Marie, who couldn’t perform at the show,” she explains, “so Vera asked if I wanted to do the show and I jumped at the opportunity.”

Her album was released in December 2015, which marked four years of Mc Mahon’s professional singing career.

“I have been singing since the age of seven and I have been singing professionally for four years,” she says. “I decided to wait until I completed matric to focus on my music career.”

Dané’s album is a collection of 12 songs, and she explains that she wrote five of the songs – one of which she co-wrote with her brother Flakie and two which she wrote with her guitar teacher, Jarryd Smith (who lives in and runs a performing arts school in Selcourt).

“The rest of the songs were written by my vocal coach and songwriter, Vera-Marie, who is also from Geduld,” she says, “she is an amazing vocal coach and I have to give my sincerest gratitude to her.”

Mc Mahon says that her favourite song on the album is the title track Lewe vir my, particularly because it embodies the message of her whole album.

“The whole message of my album is about having belief in yourself and being able to truly fight for what you want in life,” she explains.

“It’s a record about life, love and having faith in God.”

She emphasises that the title of the album also stems from the fact that she has had to overcome many challenges in the pursuit of her dream to become a professional musician and artist.

“It took a full year to make the album, and I am very proud of it,” adds Mc Mahon.

Mc Mahon describes herself as a loving, caring and selfless person, who is family orientated and God-fearing.

“God comes first in my life, for he is the one who has bestowed me with all I have,” she affirms, “I am nothing without my faith.”

The songstress explains that she draws inspiration from her life and for her art from everything around her and is driven by her passion for music.

Her music influences include Andriette Norman and Carrie Underwood, who also inspire her future goals, which include becoming an award-winning and top-selling artist.

“I would love to take home top honours and awards within my field and become titled as the best singer and songwriter,” she reiterates, “when I am on stage, I feel like I am living my life’s calling.”

More than anything, however, Mc Mahon wants to be an inspiration and to touch the lives of many through her music.

“I want someone to walk up to me one day and say I made a difference in his or her life,” she says passionately.

Mc Mahon attributes her success to her support structure which consists of her family; her boyfriend; her vocal coach and her guitar teacher.

“More than anything, I thank God for my talent and blessing me with the ability to live my dream which is to be able to make music,” she says.

Her motto is simple, she says, “When life knocks you down to your knees, it means you are in the perfect opportunity to pray.”

It is from this that Mc Mahon draws her strength, especially considering the challenges she faces in the music industry on a daily basis.