It’s a crazy time in the world. There’s no doubt about that. However, in this chaos people are still creating beautiful things like Daniel Allan, the young producer and songwriter who recently released his single “Just Friends” with vocalist Heather Sommer. The track is reminiscent of a Louis the Child track, uplifting stained with a bit of heartbreak. The electronic song even incorporates a bit more hard hitting warped tones, making it sounds like a bit of a summer rager.

Check out the song linked above, and read below for our exclusive detour interview:

Daniel Allan [DA]: “Hi! I’m Daniel and I’m a producer and songwriter from Louisville, Kentucky. I went to school at Boston University where I studied Marketing and am currently staying at home and pursuing the artist career as much as possible! I’m looking to move back to Los Angeles within the next month or two.”

Neelu Mohaghegh [NM]: What’s your detour?

[DA]: “I think that my main detour from my day-to-day routine has to be being active or doing some sort of physical activity. To me, going to the gym or just going on a run/walk is a pretty meditative experience and always helps me clear my mind, especially when life bogs me down! As a runner-up though, some of my other hobbies include playing poker with friends, cooking, and journaling.”

[NM]: Why did you start your detour?

[DA]: “Being active has always been a part of my life. I grew up being a competitive tennis player, but after I stopped playing (played a year at BU), I needed to find something similar to get in the same head space that tennis got me in. I was fortunate enough to find a guy buddy my freshman year and think that exercising with friends is a great buffer and can make things way more enjoyable, especially if you’re just starting out!”

[NM]: What does that detour mean to you and what do you hope it shows to others?

[DA]:”I sometimes feel that there’s this negative stigma about people who exercise, and I think that’s because people are scared of falling short in trying to be perfect. However, if there is one thing that I’ve learned from exercising it’s that exercising is actually not about perfection at all; it’s all about being consistent and understanding that some days just might be better than others and that’s totally okay. I don’t think I’ve ever had a “perfect” workout - I just focus on making each one the best that I can make it, and if I fall short at least I can say I tried! I apply the same mentality to my music life and interpersonal relationships.”

[NM]: What was the inspiration behind this song “Just Friends” and the creative process for it?

[DA]: “‘Just Friends’ is a really special song to me. I produced it in January and it was the last song I made in my home studio before moving to Los Angeles. A few months had passed and I wasn’t sure anything would come of it. I had a session with my friend Heather Sommer and we cycled through a few demos and she hummed the first line of the song and we had something to work with. And while we had a general idea of who and what the song was about, we couldn’t quite get the hook right. It wasn’t until the next morning (ironically, I was walking back from the gym) that I thought of the pre-chorus and sang it to Heather in a voice memo and we both loved it! If you listen closely, my voice is on this song, which is a first for me.”

[NM]: What is one goal you have for yourself and one you have for your music this year?

[DA]: “I have a list of goals that I make every year, but above all of them, the most important thing to me is to make music I love making, to have fun doing it, and to work with cool people in the process! I’ve been lucky enough to do all of these things this year.”

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Again, be sure to check out the new song, and if you like, follow Daniel Allan on Spotify and Instagram!

Interview with Producer & Songwriter Daniel Allan On New Song "Just Friends" with Heather Sommer