Los Angeles has long held a promise for many musicians, and Donna Missal from New Jersey was no exception. Her story is a testament to perseverance and the power of music.

Unveiling Donna Missal's Musical Odyssey

New Jersey Roots and Early Beginnings

Donna Missal, hailing from Somerset, New Jersey, was on an upward trajectory right from the start. In 2016, her self-released "Keep Lying" demo made a significant impact. It premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 radio show and reached the top of Spotify's Viral charts, with an astonishing 1.5 million streams. Her explosive, smoky voice and emotionally raw perspective set her apart. Growing up at her father's recording studio in New York, she honed her craft from a young age.Even before her big break, she was part of numerous New Jersey bands, playing around New Brunswick and Rutgers College. These experiences laid the foundation for her musical journey.

Signing with Harvest Records and Beyond

In 2017, Missal signed with Harvest Records and made appearances on Macklemore's "Gemini" album. She also wrote songs for the Netflix series "The Get Down". This led her to relocate to Southern California in 2018, aiming to continue the momentum of her successful debut album, "This Time". However, the pandemic hit, and her highly anticipated album "Lighter" failed to receive proper promotion. It underperformed commercially and failed to crack the Billboard Top 200.In 2022, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she released her EP "In the Mirror, In the Night" and was subsequently dropped from her label. But Missal didn't give up. Living in her car and crashing on friends' couches, she continued to pursue her creative dream. Through sporadic studio sessions on laptops and in bedrooms, she forged her first independent album, "Revel", in 2023.

An Overnight Homecoming in Asbury Park

On Saturday, December 15th, Donna Missal performed at the House of Independents in Asbury Park. With bright pink hair and a smile, she was ready for her overdue homecoming. Growing up in Central Jersey, she remembered the exact place where her love for music began - in New Brunswick's eclectic scene.This was her first Jersey solo show, "An Evening With Donna Missal", and it was a special moment. She performed for over an hour with one guitarist, a microphone, and a single spotlight in front of a crowd that included her parents, friends, siblings, and her four-year-old niece, Mina. Her voice settled deep inside the audience, and they listened intently to every song, erupting into applause.During the "Reveling Tour" in 2024, she took the Lodge Room stage in L.A. again, on her terms. It was a moment of synchronicity as she returned to play her first solo acoustic show in the state where her love for music grew.

Stories Behind the Songs and Standout Moments

Before each song, Missal shared the story behind its creation or her state of mind. For example, with "Hurt By You" (Nina's favorite song), she explained that "Lighter" was made to be as "big sounding as possible" as she was scheduled to be the opening act on tours for popular artists. On Saturday night, she sang every note with full force, filling every corner of the small, brick-walled hall. She also recreated the electronic interpolation at the beginning of "I Saw God" with a fabulous acoustic translation.Among the standout moments was when Mina joined her on stage briefly and she held her while singing "Part of Your World" from "The Little Mermaid". She also sang "Bloom", a song written with her five siblings, during a discussion of not standing in the way of those you love. It was an emotional experience with some of her siblings present.At the concert's end, it was clear that the audience had witnessed not only a homecoming but a rebirth of an artist who has never wavered in her drive or followed her heart. As she said, "You can only fail if you quit. So, do it and do it forever."