A Chat with Darro (20.09.22)
US-based pop-punk artist Darro takes you on a journey of emotion through his honest, provocative music. We speak with Darro about his new album Accidents, what music means to him and what vegetable he would be.
OSR: Why did you choose to make music?
Darro: Music has always just been the one thing that I feel most comfortable connecting with. Obviously, it’s an outlet for my experiences and emotions that I can’t portray with just words or actions alone. It’s wild to me that two different people from entirely different backgrounds can both end up connected through similar tastes in music.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Darro: Music means connection to other people through expression. Whether it’s an artist to listener, artist to artist or two listeners engaging with the same piece of music. It’s a means to build community through common ground regardless of barriers such as class, wealth, race, language etc.
OSR: A few years ago, you were diagnosed with a brain tumour that resulted in surgery and rehabilitation. How did that experience help you grow as a musician and person?
Darro: It really helped me focus and figure out what I wanted to do with my career. I always wanted to be a musician, but after going through the brain tumour ordeal, I understood the term “life is short.” That’s when I doubled-down on being an artist and making music to express myself, rather than just being a hired musician/producer for others.
OSR: What can you tell us about your album Accidents?
Darro: Accidents is a compilation of some of the huge mistakes I’ve made throughout my life. Whether it was navigating a certain situation poorly, or just straight up letting someone use me to their advantage. It combines the emotions of being on the receiving end of some crazy moments in my life.
OSR: What do you hope people take from Accidents and your music in general?
Darro: I hope people get some sort of reaction from the album. Whether it’s happy, sad, exciting, melancholic or whatever. I just want my music to illicit some sort of emotional response or reaction from the music, then I’ll know I’m doing something right.
OSR: What advice do you have for upcoming musicians?
Darro: Work with people that give you good vibes. And if you can’t identify who gives you good or bad vibes, that means you haven’t worked with enough people yet.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Accidents, what would it be and why?
Darro: I’m not sure if I would change anything! I think any mistakes I’ve made with this album release is just a lesson for the next one.
OSR: We always like to ask some random questions, so here we go: if you had the world’s attention for one minute, what would you say?
Darro: My fellow first-generation peeps, live your life! Don’t let the weight of generations of expectations weigh you down and prevent you from becoming your best self. You can still live a fulfilling life and maintain a healthy loving relationship with your family.
OSR: If you were a vegetable, what type of vegetable would you be?
Darro: Cucumber for sure! Crunchy, light and filled with water.
OSR: Do you have future plans as a musician?
Darro: Level up each and every year! That’s always my plan, some years are better than others but I’m constantly trying to level up each year.
Many thanks to Darro for speaking with us. For more from Darro check out his Instagram and Spotify.
