You know when you meet someone and you instantly feel like you’ve known them forever? That’s how listening to Purple, the debut EP of Israeli singer-songwriter Danny Kuttner, feels. A 9-track project, Purple is experimental yet somehow familiar, blending jazz with electronic production and the soft groovy comfort of a soul vocalist with the confidence of a pop star. Sonically, the tracks are layers of warm instrumentals, gentle production, and a clear voice with something to say.

An organic process, creating the EP became a journey of healing for Danny. Each track has its own origin story, yet come together cohesively with common atmospheric sounds and thoughtful lyrical messages. Some feature other musicians — Roy Reemy and Yehezkel Raz — while others are solo projects. Some are instrumental while others showcase Danny’s strong vocals.

There is an energy that builds from track to track, from the initial vibrations of “Inception” all the way to the final track, “She”. The second track, “Come Play with Me”, sets the thematic tone of the EP with the very first words we hear Danny sing: “I’m going out for a little quest / my eyes can lead, the wind will do the rest.” This idea of searching with trust carries through with singles “Chasing Myself”, a heartfelt explanation of needing space within a relationship, and “Limelight”, a story of finding a home within yourself. Elsewhere on Purple, the title track explores feeling through colours and “You” offers a stripped-back, simple production of vocals and guitar. Ultimately, we end with “She”, an anthem of femininity and strength that lingers in our ears long after the song is over.

Already developing a wide audience eager to see her perform on her upcoming tour through Israel, Danny Kuttner is in for a bright future. We got to talk to her about her inspirations, process, and future goals.

Head below to listen to Purple…

And now for the interview…

Who and what influences you?
I am influenced by my surroundings — it can be nature or colours I see and feel in my daily life. It can be conversations, political situations or just the way I wake up. When I hear music, I get ideas from little details — it can be a powerful kick or a synth flowing in the back. I am influenced by artists that touch me such as Charlotte Day Wilson (who produces her own music and has a very powerful voice), Hiatus Kaiyote and Nai Palm who showed me a whole new musical world and a way of using my voice.

I love the ambient and synth world – artists such as Nils Frahm or Radihead, who taught me how to combine electronics and live instruments. I also like freaky and beautiful sounds, an example being Connan Mockasin, and many more.

How did you first develop an interest in music?
I think it was a built-in me from the get go. I have been singing since I can remember and that brought me to all sorts of musical structure as a child and a teenager. Growing up with that made music be part of who I am today.

I have a memory of myself at the age of eight years old, wearing a pink bathing suit, standing on a table and singing loudly “White America” by Eminem. I knew every word, without even understanding any. I was always making up songs, singing and dreaming of big stages. I didn’t grow up in a very musical home, though my parents did appreciate good music. So it has always surrounded me.

How did that interest become something that you want to do as a career?
Until the moment I could produce my own music, I didn’t have the courage to believe I could make a career out of it. It took time, but the moment I realised how much I enjoy creating music and how it can actually touch others, I got my affirmation. From then on the idea of a career came by.

The more I engage in creating music, performing and interacting with the audience, I know this is what I want to do.

How has your background and experiences shaped the way you write and create?
As an Israeli born in the Netherlands, I always felt like I lived in both worlds. I have some of that aesthetic European style, with the spicy middle eastern vibes. I was travelling around the world for a few years, creating relationships with friends from different countries but communicating only in English. Most of the music I listened to while growing up was in English. All of this combined made it easy for me to write in english.

In the last few years I have been working in “Pluto Studios” (the biggest recording studios in the country). This place has become a big part of my creation. Big parts of my EP were recorded there, with the help of the friends I work with. That brings me so much confidence and freedom.

As time went by, I realised there are certain ways that help me create. One of them is to play my ideas with other musicians that I appreciate, with people who care about me. It helps bring more colour to my creations and also brings great experiences.

Each beginning of a song has its own colour. I love thinking about that colour and its shades, and from that feeling I can produce and write what I want to bring out. For me, there are no rules for writing. When on vacation, when I have my own space and time, my words can flow.

I also always loved listening to jazz queens such as Billie Holiday or Norah Jones and I grew up listening to pop stars like Britney Spears and Beyonce. Once I’d grown up, I found a love for electronic music from all over the world. That created some kind of a language I now have blended in me.

What does making music mean to you?
The world. It is my purest way of being. It’s not always easy to go into that state of mind yet, when I’m there, I go into a different dimension where creation is flowing through me. I feel soft and powerful. I also feel it in the studio, where the outside world is not heard, or whilst performing live where I feel the energy from the audience.

Making music is my getaway in difficult times. I find myself creating most when I’m hurting. Sometimes I ask myself why although I know that music is my healing. Singing can change the way I feel immediately, and then making a song out of it can make someone else feel better.

Your sound is so eclectic stylistically, how have you worked to combine these tendencies to produce the sound that is yours?
It was a process (and still is) of trying – that’s why I enjoy producing music so much. I can bring different ideas, fail and get disappointed, until I’m excited about the result.

Elements that move me in music are combinations between live instruments & electronics, synths and ambient atmospheres, vocal harmonies and much more that I have tried on my music. I listen to all sorts of genres, when I hear something that I like, I repeat that part until I think I understand what they have done. I love hearing the little details, figuring out the effect choices and imagining how I could then do it myself when I go back to my computer.

How would you personally describe the essence of your sound?
I would love to think of it as serene — a sound that lets you close your eyes and feel. More practically – it has elements of soul, R&B, and lots of atmosphere.

What’s been the best moment of your career so far?
Last year I was performing in one of the main festivals back home. I was chosen as a new artist among many, and played my music for the first time in a very professional environment. I loved it.

How does it feel to be releasing your debut EP, Purple, into the world?
It feels great. Releasing my music reveals what I’ve been crafting for the last couple of years. It was a big journey which I’m very happy with and I’m ready to release the outcome. Releasing Purple reveals who I am to myself and others — and that excites me!

Talk us through the creative process of the project?
Looking back, this project started with one of my homework assignments when I was studying music production. “Come Play With Me” was the song where I realised I had created my first release that I would like to share.

I set my mind on the goal to write three songs I would feel happy to share. “Purple” was the third. I wrote that song about feeling through colours – purple was a new colour in my life which painted the music I’ve created on the computer. I thought it would end up there, as a three track EP, but I continued creating, where each track represents a different experience in my life.

While crafting that EP, I fell in love with being in the studio – recording musicians, bringing up ideas and being on my own for hours, recording myself singing and creating so many harmonies — I had so much fun! I also had beautiful collaborations with musicians I love such as Yehezkel Raz and Roy Reemy.

The last song I created was “You”. I decided to create it very simply production wise. I thought there’s a lot of different layers and sounds in that project and I wanted to have one song that is loyal to the way I first wrote it on the guitar.

What are the main themes and ideas you are trying to convey on the tape?
It is my journey of self-acceptance, comparing myself to others, dealing with fears, and relationships with loved ones. I hope my listeners could relate and hear themselves in it. There’s one song I wrote about us women, “She” – looking at each other and recognising in ourselves how much strength and beauty we all have.

What do you want listeners to take away from the EP?
I hope my music and lyrics will give comfort and ease to whoever is going through their own journey. I want listeners to enjoy it, sing it loudly while driving, start their mornings with it and dance!

Where do you want to take your artistry?
I love to combine music with fashion, collaborate with artists from all fields and create interesting visuals. I would love to deepen in that area and combine my imagination with other artists.

What’s next for you?
Performing live with my band around my country. I’m currently working on a big show for my album launch, at the beginning of May. I’ve also written some new songs and I’m excited to get into producing them. Then hopefully next I’ll be going on tour abroad!