ICYMI: #WomanCrushWednesday IG Live featuring Daisy O'Dell

BY LAURA HARPER/WWR Staff Writer

With a career that successfully spans being an award-winning music producer, curator, and DJ, few have undertaken as many impressive endeavors as Daisy O’Dell.

O’Dell grew up in Toronto, Canada where music was a huge part of her life from a very young age. Her father, who collected vinyl records of classical albums, instilled in her an appreciation for music in a historical way. From there, she developed a passion for singing and jazz, and learned to play multiple instruments through the music program at her school. Still, O’Dell finds it difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when she realized that she wanted to make a career out of music.

“When you’re a musician, it’s really hard to know what the catalyst is,” O’Dell said.

Despite her love of singing, O’Dell says she never really viewed being a vocalist as a professional career path for herself. Instead, she felt more comfortable playing other people’s music from her own record collection, and soon developed a career as a DJ.

O’Dell has traveled and lived all over the world before settling in Los Angeles, California, where she developed a lot of connections that have allowed her to grow as a DJ. She has even worked in partnership with major corporate brands such as Toyota, Samsung, Ulta, and more.

O’Dell’s career spans far beyond just being a DJ, however; having gone to college for musical theater, she has also starred in a number of musical productions.

“I think we are all multifaceted,” O’Dell said. “When people ask, I just say I work in music. My greatest fear is to be limited with what I do.”

As such, O’Dell makes sure to take advantage of any opportunities that come her way. In fact, she once had the opportunity to play live with Fleetwood Mac at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

While the COVID-19 global pandemic has put a temporary pause on all live performances, O’Dell says that she, like many artists, is very excited for the opportunity to perform live again.

“Seeing people pivot into the virtual space has been incredibly inspiring,” O’Dell said.

Despite having done a few virtual performances herself, O’Dell says she misses the community connection of an in-person audience which simply cannot be replaced by virtual alternatives. However, she has been working consistently throughout the pandemic on various projects and is interested to see how the music industry will change in a post-pandemic world.

“COVID changed everything and I think some changes will be permanent,” O’Dell said.

Until then, O’Dell has been performing at drive-in theaters throughout 2020 and 2021, with her next performance scheduled for a drive-in show for the upcoming Britney Spears movie.

When it comes to those wishing to make their mark in the music industry, O’Dell says that true passion goes far.

“When somebody is so sincere in their career, it resonates,” O’Dell said. “I made sure I was deserving of opportunities.”

For more on Daisy O’Dell, you can check out the entire interview on Instagram @OfficialWomenWhoRock.