dān dān is Danielle Hao-Aickin, and Pressure Cooker her first solo project outside of Ersha Island, the Folk Pop duo with sister Tee.
They played a memorable concert at Big Fan just over a year ago, and Red Raven was there to capture it. (Check our review here.)
Dan dan is European Kiwi on the paternal side and Chinese on the maternal side. Wasian is a clumsy description on her bio but may be better than Chinglish.
Her musical training is classical, with time spent at the Beijing Conservatory of Music.
What to make of this very tasty song dedicated to Hainan chicken? Really about the heart but then belly is closely related.
On stage I compared her to Kate Bush. I was probably thinking about Sa Ding Ding who has been described as the Chinese version.
Her vocal pitch is closer to Taylor Swift and Lana Del Ray on this debut single. A trained voice with clear tones and no vibrato. Sophisticated Pop Folk.
The subject appears to be a blow-off to an obsessive relationship.
Trying to meet your expectations/ Can I live up to your expectations?
The coup de grace. I don’t wanna be you.
The most enigmatic. You can make Hainan chicken rice in my belly.
Part of the inspiration comes from the food you grow up with. There is a small insert on the song from her recorded six-year-old self. Mum making Chinese comfort food.
Could be seen as a sensual reference or possibly a pregnancy. The warmth but it can also give you nausea.
The song is also the progression of the Girl Group sound. A direct spark to the Beatles ’63 debut album which was a plain homage.
There is the underlying regret of the Carol King/ Gerry Goffin classic Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. The loss of virginity, and will you stick around? Every possibility he won’t but let’s enjoy the moment.
This song is the feminine/anima aspect. (Gerry Goffin was the chief lyricist in the famous partnership). The flipside and the kiss-off. Love can be an itching in my heart, but it can blow like a pressure cooker.
The song is produced by Dan Martin who also gets some songwriting credits. The music is sophisticated at the level of Burt Bacharach (also an ace Girl Group purveyor). There is some violin courtesy of Tee Hao-Aickin which has eastern cadences.
This is dān dān’s first released song, and an EP is expected sometime soon in the new year.
Rev. Orange Peel
