Dario – Ascension

By starrymag | July 24, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

A) Eclectic! I’m a fan of, as well as listen to, so many different styles of music. When it’s time for me to go in the studio to record a new album, it’s so hard trying to figure out where to begin because I get so inspired by everything I’m listening to at the moment. But my sound is definitely a mixture of Pop, Dance, R&B and Latin (as well as other cultures) wrapped into one. I want to give everyone a little something.

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

A) OMG there are so many. I’m a huge fan of artists that are not only singers but musicians. Artists like Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson and all great musicians that have in some way inspired and shaped my musical career. Many of us recording artists owe a lot of our careers to their influence.

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Don’t Let Me Go.”

A) Not only is it a song about a toxic relationship. It’s a song about the games your mind and your heart play with each other while you’re in that toxic relationship. It’s that crazy manic thing that happens in your head when you’re going through something traumatic, where you love them so your heart is telling you to stay and work it out but your mind is telling you to run as fast as you can.

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

A) I think we’ve all gone through a “Don’t Let Me Go” situation in our lives and I think people connect to it because they recognize it. I wrote the song so that I always have a reminder of what I’m not willing to go through again. I grew from that experience and I’m grateful for the lesson it taught me.

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

A) I wanted the video to be me in present day thinking about what I went through in the past. I wanted to show the dichotomy of how I was able to go through something bad and not allow it to affect my future. At the end of the video I made sure to leave the quote where I tell everyone never to forget their worth, and I believe that. We are all human, we all go through things, and we have to allow those things to make us stronger.

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

A) I usually like to start with a beat. I talk to whatever producer I’m working with and I tell him or her what I’m going through and what I want to talk about. They will start playing something on the guitar or piano and as soon as we both start feeling a vibe we start writing. It’s very organic and such a cool process it. I love it!

Q) Your new LP Ascension was produced by Kevin Anyaeji and Shane Facchinello, but how much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

A) A LOT! I executive produced the entire album. And, honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I need to love what I’m singing about, I also want to relate to the material. These songs are chapters of the past year and a half of my life. That’s the one thing I like about being independent – I call the shots. If I like and want to do something I do it and if I don’t I leave it alone.

Q) This is your tenth album. What makes this one more personal than the others you’ve released?

A) I actually wrote about what’s happening to me now and I didn’t hold back anything. In the past I was scared to be to honest because I didn’t want people to see how insecure and angry that I was and how sometimes I’m a bit of a mess. This time around I realized that there are so many people like me in the world and if I allow myself to be vulnerable they will feel it and relate and then I can connect with an audience that understands that it’s okay to be imperfect.

Q) What can fans expect from a live Dario performance?

A) A lot of makeup, glitter and great music! I love putting on a show with dancers, costume changes and props. The theatrics of it all is what makes each song come to life and as a musician and entertainer that’s my job.

Q) What songs off your Ascension LP are you looking forward to performing live?

A) Right now, I’m really excited to do “Bring It Out” live because it’s the last song we worked on. That was a last-minute song that made it on the album literally a day before the album went into production for release. I worked with an up and coming producer named Tadjh Brooks and he gave me exactly what I wanted. I can’t wait to see what the choreographer does with the song!

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new LP as a whole?

A) That it’s okay to feel and be whatever you want. We don’t always have to keep it together it’s okay to be a mess at times. Take everything in strides, feel everything and don’t try to numb yourself because you won’t learn anything. We are not perfect, we make mistakes and if we’re lucky we grow from them.

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

A) I love Asia because the people are respectful and kind but I also like performing in the small cities all over the US, over the big cities. Whenever I go to a small city the audience is always so grateful that you came to a town that doesn’t get many concerts. It’s significant to me because a lot times I don’t get a chance to meet with fans in an intimate setting and in these cases I do, and I love that.

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

A) Rich Harrison. I’ve dreamed of working with him since he produced “One Thing” for Amerie. That song is everything! I would also love to work with Ester Dean. I love the way her mind works.

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

A) Right now, I’m really digging H.E.R. and Ella Mai, both equally amazing artists. I love that fact that both of them write and or play an instrument. I have so much respect for that.

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) It’s so important! That’s how I keep in touch with my fans. I get feedback on what they want to hear from me when I go on the road or make a TV or radio appearance. It’s cool to be able to hear form the fans firsthand.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thank you so much for all the love and support throughout the years. It’s because of you that I get to do what I love!

 

 

 

 

Watch “Don’t Let Me Go”