Desarae Dee and Donyea Goodman Turn Silence Into Storytelling on "Telephone...Wait"

Desaraé Dee and Donyea Goodman are turning heads with the release of "Telephone...Wait," a striking instrumental collaboration that is quickly gaining momentum across radio and media outlets in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Serving as the lead single from their forthcoming EP 'Outta Left Field,' the track showcases the pair's ability to tell a deeply human story without relying on a single lyric.

Inspired by the emotional uncertainty that exists between anticipation and connection, "Telephone...Wait" explores the feeling of waiting for an answer, a moment, or a person. Rather than using traditional songwriting structures, Desaraé Dee and Goodman allow warm harmonies, cinematic textures, and expressive musicianship to carry the narrative, creating a listening experience that feels both intimate and universal.

What makes the release particularly noteworthy is its organic rise. Released independently and without a marketing budget, "Telephone...Wait" has become the fastest-growing release in Desaraé Dee's catalog, earning more than 40 radio plays while receiving support from outlets including CBC Music, Radio-Canada OHdio, Mississippi Public Broadcasting, and Italy's SouLCiTY The BeaT.

The collaboration began after Goodman discovered Desarae through her viral #4ChordWorship series online. What started as casual social media collaborations soon developed into a creative partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared musical vision. That chemistry is evident throughout the track, where every note feels purposeful without sacrificing spontaneity.

For Desaraé Dee, often recognized as "The Queen of Vibes," the release also signals an important artistic evolution. As she continues stepping into what she describes as her "Sonic Midwife" era, her focus remains on creating music that encourages reflection, healing, and meaningful connection.

At a time when attention spans are shrinking and noise often dominates the conversation, "Telephone...Wait" stands out by embracing something far less common: patience. The result is a compelling instrumental release that proves some of music's most powerful stories don't require words to be heard.

"Telephone...Wait" tells a story entirely through instrumentation. What emotions or moments were you hoping listeners would feel as the track unfolds, and why did this particular story not need lyrics?

I wanted listeners to experience the emotional journey of waiting; the anticipation, the uncertainty, the hope, and ultimately the release that comes with receiving an answer. The song is inspired by the feeling of waiting by the telephone for news that could change everything, whether that’s a relationship, an opportunity, a prayer, or a life transition.

As a pianist and composer, I’ve always believed that music can communicate emotions that words sometimes limit. Lyrics can tell people what to think, but instrumental music gives listeners room to bring their own experiences into the story. Every person has waited for something important, and I wanted the music to become a mirror for whatever that moment looks like in their own life.

For me, this story didn’t need lyrics because the emotion was already in the melody. The piano becomes the voice, and the listener fills in the conversation.

This collaboration began through social media and evolved into a full creative partnership. What was the moment when you both realized there was something special happening musically between you?

What stood out to me was how natural everything felt. There was never a sense of forcing ideas together or trying to fit into each other’s creative process. The music simply evolved through trust, curiosity, and a shared desire to create something meaningful.

As we exchanged ideas, I realized we were both serving the song rather than our individual egos. That’s rare. The goal wasn’t to impress each other; it was to tell the story as honestly as possible. Once we heard how the pieces were coming together, it became clear that there was a musical chemistry that allowed us to build something neither of us would have created alone.

The collaboration reminded me that some of the best creative partnerships begin with genuine connection and a willingness to listen.

The song explores the tension of waiting, anticipation, and the things left unsaid. In a culture obsessed with instant gratification, why do you think people struggle so much with uncertainty today?

We live in a world where almost everything is available instantly. We can send a message, order a product, stream a song, or find an answer within seconds. Because of that, we’ve become uncomfortable with the spaces in between.

The challenge is that the most meaningful things in life don’t operate on instant timelines. Purpose, healing, relationships, growth, faith, and even success often require patience. They unfold over time.

I think people struggle with uncertainty because uncertainty forces us to confront what we can’t control. Waiting asks us to trust, and trust is difficult when we want guarantees. “Telephone…Wait” lives in that tension. It acknowledges the discomfort of waiting while also recognizing that some answers are worth the wait.

Desarae, you've described yourself as entering your 'Sonic Midwife' era. How does 'Telephone...Wait' reflect that evolution, and what does this chapter allow you to express that previous releases didn't?

The Sonic Midwife era is about helping emotions, stories, and experiences come into the world through sound. Rather than simply creating music, I’m becoming increasingly interested in creating spaces where people can encounter themselves, reflect, heal, and feel deeply.

The truth is, I’ve always been interested in the emotional and spiritual impact of music. My earliest compositions, my work in worship music, and even the years I spent building 4ChordWorship were all rooted in creating experiences that connected people to something deeper than the notes themselves. What’s changed in this chapter is not the existence of that passion, but the emphasis I’m placing on it. I’m becoming more intentional about creating music that holds space for reflection, healing, and emotional honesty.

“Telephone…Wait” is one of the first recordings that fully embodies that philosophy. The song doesn’t rush to provide answers. Instead, it sits with uncertainty and allows the listener to move through the experience at their own pace.

In previous releases, I was often focused on composition, performance, and production. Those things still matter, but this chapter is inviting me to go deeper. The Sonic Midwife era isn’t a departure from who I’ve been—it’s a deeper expression of who I’ve always been. I’m becoming more interested in the way sound can hold a person’s story without requiring explanation.

That’s what being a Sonic Midwife means to me. It’s helping bring something unseen into the light through music.

Released with virtually no marketing budget, 'Telephone...Wait' has organically gained traction across radio stations and audiences around the world. What do you think the song is connecting with on such a universal level? I think the song is connecting with something every human being understands: waiting.

No matter where we live or what language we speak, we’ve all waited for something. We’ve waited for news, opportunities, healing, answers, reconciliation, love, direction, or breakthrough.

Because the song is instrumental, listeners aren’t being told what the story is. They’re invited to bring their own story into the music. That creates a very personal experience.

I also think people are craving authenticity. “Telephone…Wait,” wasn’t built around trends, algorithms, or a marketing strategy. It was built around a genuine emotional experience. The response we’ve received from radio stations and listeners around the world has reminded me that honest art still resonates.

Sometimes the most powerful thing a song can do is make someone feel understood, and I believe that’s what people are hearing in this record.