In this episode of Art of Development podcast, we talk to Daniel Tonik, a DJ, music composer, and performer. Daniel rebranded not long ago from a ‘club banger’ hitmaker to a more melodic vibe genre of music.

Listen in to hear Daniel’s inspiring story of how he left a toxic environment and chose to follow his dreams of making the music that reflects who he is. You will also hear how COVID-19 destroyed his plans of expanding his music career to Europe and instead of staying down, he made even better plans right where he is now. 

Quotes:  

·       “I’m giving myself more avenues to succeed…I want it all!”- Daniel Tonik [7:25]

·       “I’ve always been somebody to lift everyone up and it got to the point where I was lifting everyone else up and my shoulders were getting heavy because no one was doing the same for me.”- Daniel Tonik [26:54]

Top Takeaways: 

·       The advantages of using the COVID period as an opportunity to do more things. 

·       How to pick yourself after a fall and create even bigger plans than you had initially.

·       The importance of sharing your journey without being ashamed of where you’ve come from.

·       Learning to create music that you enjoy and allowing the right audience to follow you.

·       Learning to fight for who you’re and step out of a toxic environment.

·       How the fear of being alone is stopping you from finding who you’re and being happy.

·       The importance of accepting yourself and taking time for yourself.

·       The intimacy of playing to a small crowd that makes it fulfilling and connecting.

Episode Timeline:

[0:39] Intro  [1:31] How he’s been making opportunities during this COVID period. [2:39] He explains the many plans he had for his music career and travelling in Europe before Coronavirus happened and took it all away. [4:29] How he handled the pain of losing his plans- from negativity to picking himself up again and making new better plans. [8:28] He explains the concept behind his album ‘Thoughts That Kept Me Awake’.[11:58] How and why he rebranded, his experience, and how it changed him. [15:06] How switching from the ‘club bangers’ genre of music to a more melodic vibes music has changed him as a musician and as a person.  [19:26] He describes the moment when he realized he had to change and be who he wanted and not what people wanted him to be.  [23:39] How he found himself by sacrificing toxic friends and environment [25:02] He explains how he found genuine people who accepted him for who he is and the music he does now. [29:18] He shares ways in which he takes care of himself.  [36:55] How his plans of going to Europe have changed in a big way plus advising people nowadays. [42:04] Why he prefers small crowds where realness is accepted than huge crowds with no connection [45:42] He describes the toxic and negative environment he used to live in before he learned to express who he is.  [50:33] He mentions the future projects he’s working on currently.

Follow Daniel:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danieltonikdj/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieltonikmusic/

Follow Mark Polinar:

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mark.polinar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markrolandpolinar/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/markpolinar_