Sug Daniels is a singer, songwriter, and producer who is using the tools around her to capture the emotions of an era. Daniels’ work is as colorful, vulnerable, and charismatic as her personality. She thoughtfully combines elements of folk, R&B, and low-fi alternatives to create personal and tender music interlaced with messages of truth and positive change.
Growing up in the rural town of Smyrna, Delaware, Sug had felt first-hand both the extreme joy and the major isolation that many LGBTQ+ people experience in Southern Baptist-style churches. After coming out, she left the church but continued her journey armed with the love of powerful music and celebration of community. She currently resides in the city of Wilmington, Delaware, continuing to create music to share and inspire those around her. After leading two successful musical projects, Hoochi Coochi and FlowCity, Sug has set out to create solo music that reflects her current views and personal stories.
Notably, Sug has recently gained local support for her and friend Rob Pfiefer’s single, ‘Tilton Park’, bringing media attention and fundraising efforts to a local issue that highlights the need for individuals and government to work together to encourage change. With her musical chops and a “sweet voice that sounds as pure and light as fine crystal’’, Sug is just getting started on what is sure to be some of the most innovative and creative music of the decade. She has several singles scheduled to be released on her Bandcamp and Spotify pages in March of 2021 and an EP-in-production anticipated to be released in the summer.
Getting to know Sug Daniels
Can you introduce yourself? who are you? what matters to you?
My name is Sug Daniels. My pronouns are She/Her. I am a singer/songwriter/producer and all around creative. I use the tools around to express my world and views in hopes to better understand them and make authentic connections with the people around me.
What’s the last show you watched on tv?
The last thing I watched on tv was probably some anime my friend put on. If I’m with friends and they want to watch something, then I won’t attest but I’m more of a reader. I’m currently reading ‘The Final Revival of Opal & Nev’. My high school english teacher got it for me so we could read it together. We’re still very close. She’s the best teacher of all time. Love you Brymie!
If you could learn any language fluently, which would it be?
I feel like I should learn Spanish. I live in America and it’s shameful that I don’t.
Do you have any lucky items? superstitions?
I am incredibly superstitious and think everything means something. I have lucky rings and even little rituals I do to try to get a leg up in life, ha! I have lucky numbers that guide me too. So far so good! Life has been very interesting.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be?
I would title it ‘Beautifully Ironic’. Sometimes I look back on life and think about the irony of where I am versus how I started. The whole thing is very comical even in the darkest times. Self-reflection is a big part of my self-care and helps me to move forward.
If you could ask your future self-one question, what would it be?
I would ask myself about stocks and bonds then come back and invest. I’m not a big fan of the monetary system but it is a great tool to move around and free up time to do things we love. If I could spend all my time creating music and making connections, then I would be truly living my best life.
Who or what inspired you to make music?
My mother used to sing in church. She had such emotion and power when she sang it inspired me to do so. I eventually left the church for personal reasons but the desire to sing and bring people together with music never left me.
If you could open a show for any one artist, who would it be?
I would love to open a show for
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My father told me once “whatever you’re running away from, run towards it”. Facing inner turmoil head on is the quickest way to get on the track to healing so you can lead a happy and fulfilling life.
What sets your music apart? what is unique, or at least uncommon?
Ha, I’m not sure what sets my music apart, but my electric ukulele does grab quite a bit of attention at shows. I don’t play it like a traditional ukulele. The instrument is beautiful and is rich with history, but I’ve never been a traditional kind of person. It was in the room when I wanted to make music so that’s what I play. I bought a Fender electric Fullerton series ukulele, stratocaster model, with some money I made house sitting because I knew I wanted to perform live and didn’t want to be limited to sitting down and having it mic’d. People always ask me why I’m playing such a tiny guitar and I always get a kick out of telling them it’s actually a ukulele with some pedals and effects on it!
What are your top two favorite albums of all time? why?
My first favorite album is The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill. My father bought it for me, and I remember listening to it all the way through countless times. She explained herself and her emotions so well you could feel them like you were experiencing them. I loved the inbetween track bits with the high school students having an open discussion about what love is and how they felt about different things. Looking back, it not only was so much fun to listen to that music, but it also shaped a lot of what I would strive to be as a singer and songwriter growing up.
My second is RISE by Willow Smith and Jahnavi Harrison. That’s a new one that came out last year. I was absolutely blown aways by the album. It’s like nothing I’ve ever heard before and especially not from Willow. Although I left church, I’ve never lost connection with my spiritual side. I don’t think this album was meant to be a spiritual collection of music, but I can put it on whenever I feel low or sad and it makes me feel incredible and hopeful. I can’t imagine it not being in rotation for me for years to come.
