While she is most often identified as a soul singer, Danielle Ponder's versatile music is infused with bits of gospel, trip-hop, blues, R&B, and alt rock. A former public defender from Rochester, New York, the singer/songwriter spent years playing music on the side before doubling down on her music career in the late 2010s. It was an unusual path to success, but one that allowed her to develop a unique sound full of depth and command. After signing with the Future Classic label, Ponder released her debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, in 2022.