Donna Missal is a powerhouse of a woman. The rising singer-songwriter from New Jersey writes her own songs and combines them with her silky smooth vocals. Her honest lyricism makes her incredibly relatable to listeners with her True Identity shining through her music and her writing. Her songs are an interesting mix of R&B, country, and early 2000s pop. Just like her music, Donna Missal won’t be put in one box easily. So, what did she do during quarantine? Naturally, she used the time to release an album. Her new album “Lighter” touches upon self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the journey of finding herself. The meaning of the album title “Lighter” is very personal to her as it represents “the concept of burning shit down all around you and rising from the ashes” as a means of catharsis. On top of writing songs, she also self-directs her music videos which show her eye for aesthetics. When listening to her music and watching her videos you can tangibly feel her pour her entire creativity into all aspects of her work. Her voice has the power to fill a room and silence it. In our interview with her today we speak about what truly matters to her, what drove her to make music, and the importance of black music and culture to her as an individual and an artist.
When do you feel most creative and most inspired to make music?
I’ve always had this internal drive to make things. writing songs has always been one of the languages I use to express myself and work myself through something I’m feeling, so inspiration to do that is kind of like an ever-spinning wheel in my body/mind. I can’t shut it off.
What would you say has shaped you most as an artist and as a person?
Wow a huge question. I’m shaped by my environment, the people I keep close to me, and the art and media I consume. I think we all are, and it’s so important to carefully consider these things in our lives for that reason.
Who are your biggest icons?
My mom, Shania Twain, Aretha Franklin, Alanis Morrisette, Cardi B……i could go on but yeah. Womxn.
If you could speak to yourself in the past, what would you say to her?
I might say that the ideas you have of what success means now are going to change, and to lean into that. Don’t be scared of that. And that voice that sounds like yours that’s telling you you’re shit? Yeah that’s not actually you and it’s not true, don’t listen.
What’s an issue close to your heart that you’d like to talk about?
Black lives matter. Period. To be proactive in the midst of an uprising, and to sustain longevity, I think an important part of that is understanding your strengths and where you can be of most service. Personally I’m finding my strengths to be in taking part in direct community outreach, and using my artist platform to signal boost important messaging and directives. But maybe more than anything I have a designation of informing my fans of the importance of black music and culture to me as an individual and an artist, to relay the importance of learning the origins of what you’re consuming. I think I have fans from all backgrounds with a range of views, and I’m not on a mission to insist that your views align with mine. I am however on a mission of awareness. I have been influenced so deeply by black art that if you listen to my music, you are being influenced by black music as well. To demand respect for the origins of the art you consume and understand what is owed to the black community for these invaluable contributions to the things we value.
You self-direct a lot of your music videos. What inspirations do you have when coming up with the concept?
I enjoy directing because I get to take on a similar role with imagery and storytelling that I do with songwriting. I’m inspired by the hands-on, DIY process as it relies so much on creative problem-solving and working with others to achieve something that at one time only existed in your head.
When do you feel the biggest sense of achievement?
Lately it’s in the little things. To be successful at something is a term that I think has come to mean something different recently and I’m trying to embrace that.
You were touring through various countries before COVID-19, what is the most important thing you took away from that?
To just never take for granted the experience again. Touring is difficult on your body and your mind and it’s easy to lose sight of what a special and rewarding experience it can be. I’ve learned the importance of live-performing to me in a new way since being in quarantine and I’m grateful for that.
In these last few months, how have u been coping with still making art and still being productive during this global pandemic?
I think just reframing what productivity meant to me was the first step, and just trying to approach everything I do creatively with a willingness to learn new skills and be more self-sufficient with my art than ever before. It’s been challenging but inspiring in a new way I haven’t experienced before.
We have a format on TITLE that is all about the true identity of artists and brands to dig deeper than the surface. Would you say you have found your true identity? And if so, how would you describe it?
I think something I have found to be true is that people change, that I change. With everything I learn and discover I become a more full version of myself, and I hope to never see the end of my evolution. My identity isn’t defined by any one part of me but the intersection of every part of me, especially the changing parts.
2020 has been quite a strange year. What are you excited for and what do you think you can take away from all of this?
I’m excited for my album Lighter to be out in the world. I’m excited by the cracks finally forming in our foundations, and taking part in splitting the world as we know it wide open, letting in new light, new ideas, and real, substantial change to take place. I’m excited to actually believe it to be possible, and this year has given me that chance.
