Danielle Ponder partners with Phoebe Bridgers, signs with Dead Oceans, and releases new music

Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory imprint has recently merged with parent label Dead Oceans, a move that paves the way for all Saddest Factory releases to be distributed through Dead Oceans. With this exciting development, Ponder has been welcomed as the newest addition to the label’s roster, joining the ranks of talented artists such as Mitski, Jensen McRae, and Kevin Morby.

Accompanying the announcement of Ponder’s signing is the release of her latest single, “Power,” marking her first new music since 2023. The track holds special significance as it was unveiled in honor of Juneteenth, a holiday that holds great importance in the United States as it commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The inspiration behind “Power” can be traced back to Ponder’s trip to Dakar, Senegal, when she was just seventeen years old.

Reflecting on the single, Ponder shares her thoughts, stating, “In Dakar I found a brightness in the eyes of the people and an absence of heaviness in their songs. Here, power and leadership all came in the color Black and I began to piece together the source of my own. This song is a love note to the girl I was at seventeen, who crossed an ocean to find a place where she could be. It’s a love note to the Black diaspora: may we always remember that we are people who can fly.”

With this latest release, Ponder continues to explore themes of identity, belonging, and empowerment, drawing upon her own experiences and observations to create music that resonates deeply with listeners. Through her poignant lyrics and soulful melodies, Ponder invites audiences to reflect on their own journeys and connections to the world around them, fostering a sense of unity and understanding.

As she embarks on this new chapter with Dead Oceans, Ponder’s unique artistic vision and creative spirit are sure to shine through, captivating audiences and solidifying her status as a rising star in the music industry. With “Power” serving as a powerful introduction to what lies ahead, fans can eagerly anticipate more groundbreaking music from this talented artist in the days to come.