Ex-Yell! vocalist and actor Daniel James is back with a new single on 10th September – ‘Lovin’ You’ – with featured vocalist Malissa Whitehouse. Originally a hit for Minnie Ripperton, Daniel and Malissa wanted to revisit the track and giving it a new uplifting feel good vibe, making it the perfect late summer anthem. Two mixes of the track will be released on 17th September – one from Paul Rudd (Daft Punk/Freemasons/Sam Calver) and the second a blend with Yell’s biggest hit ‘Instant Replay’.
The video for the track was supposed to feature Daniel and Malissa. However, a few weeks before the shoot Malissa was involved in a serious riding accident, and she broke her back, shoulder and arm…. making it impossible for her run along a beach in a video! But you can catch the official lyric video below.
‘Malissa and I met at Nomis Studios in London during my Yell! years when she was a runner. We stayed in touch and worked on some ideas, one of which was a version of ‘Lovin’ You’. After lockdown we started writing songs together for a K-pop project and, whilst in the studio, listened back to the track’ again and decided to remix and release it’
DANIEL JAMES
Daniel was signed by Simon Cowell in his pre-BGT days to his label Fanfare alongside his chart-topping label mate Sinitt. The duo ‘Yell!’ launched with a cover suggested by the group, ‘Instant Replay’ originally by Dan Hartman, coincidently Simon had homed in on this song from his Guinness Book of Hit Singles (his bible) that he kept under his bed!
The track, produced by Nigel Wright (Shakatak/UK Mixmasters) and mixed by Pete Hammond, became a Top 10 hit and the group appeared on hundreds of TV shows and magazine covers. Yell! worked hard for 3 years touring up and down the country writing material and performing in schools during the day and clubs at night! Eventually the roller-coaster stopped.
Previous to Yell! Daniel released solo material produced Mike Stock and Matt Aitkin, worked as an actor in various TV dramas and presented children’s TV live on the BBC every morning. This led to him co-hosting a series called’ But First This’ with Andy Crane and Sue Devaney, and on the last day of the show he met his then manager Jeff Chegwin (brother of Keith). He suggested pairing up with another singer and formed Yell! and the rest is history.
After Yell!, like anyone who loses a coveted job, it wasn’t easy coming to terms with, so Daniel took on a new challenge in New York acting as Hepheastion in the workshop production of ‘The Feast Of Alexander’ Off Broadway. When he returned to the UK, he threw himself into acting and carved out a respectable career. Scoring guest lead roles in major TV series such as Casualty, The Last Tango In Halifax, Doctors, Eastenders and Coronation Street.
Daniel was brought up in Hartlepool in the northeast of England and started performing at an early age. After being accepted at a drama school he moved South and from there jumped into working for regional theatres to build up his experience and graduated onto TV. He was already songwriting and even performed as a cheerleader on Top Of The Pops!
Singer Songwriter Malissa Whitehouse is currently writing for a number of new breaking artists from both ‘The Voice’ and ‘X Factor’ . She’s also writing her first teen drama TV show that’s in development with Raydar Media. Malissa’s first break was at 16 when she reached the final of ‘Songwriter of the Year’ in conjunction with ‘Capital Radio’ and ‘Coca-Cola’. This landed her an interview and performance on Channel 4’s cult TV show ‘The Word’ and subsequently her first recording deal and UK tour!
Also check out the ‘Lovin’ You’ radio edit, instant replay mix and Paul Rudd mix
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