Hailing from Brooklyn, NY, Asian-American artist Darro is fusing together the strongest and catchiest elements of emo and pop-punk to form his own hybrid subgenre of alternative anthems.
After releasing his debut EP ‘Nostalgia’ in 2017, the then 24-year-old musician was diagnosed with a brain tumor that resulted in surgery and rehabilitation that saw him re-learning to speak and sing.
Hey, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
This past year was a big one for me! We put out more music, videos, content and played more shows than we ever have, in spite of the mess the music industry has been going through. We collabed with some really cool people like Nate Flud and Michael Meaney, met some really cool and played shows with some awesome bands on the road, it’s been a lot actually!
I’m very interested in how you started your adventure with music, and did you know from the beginning that this is what you wanted to do?
I think I always had a knack for music. I remember being a kid with my dad’s keyboard just figuring out how to play melodies by ear. I think I’ve always had an ear for learning and playing music. Eventually it got to the point where I literally couldn’t imagine a life without playing music, and I still can’t imagine doing anything else.
Congrats on the release of ‘Accidents’, the album sounds great. What was the inspiration behind it?
Accidents is a culmination of some major fuck-ups in my life. The song and stories range from “I shouldn’t have run away, now I regret it” to “I shouldn’t have let this person take advantage of me.” As a whole, it’s a reflection of who I used to be and trying to forgive myself for some of the mistakes I made.
What’s your favorite track on the album and why?
It’s so hard to choose, I think it changes every day. Right now my favorite track is “Phoning In (ft. Michael Meaney)” just because of the contrast between the pop punk and trap beats, and of course Michael just kills it on that song. I’m also very fond of “Something I’m Not Used To (ft. Nate Flud)” because of how fun it is, and of course, Nate Flud absolutely nails his part too.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
Every year I have a checklist of goals that I try to achieve by the end of the year. Each year, the goals get more ambitious so that I don’t stay stagnant from year to year. These goals range from getting press placements, to hitting certain stats on social media or streaming platforms. For example, in 2021 my list of goals included:
-Get featured on Alternative Press
-Hit 5k monthly listeners on Spotify
-Reach 10k followers on TikTok, etc.
I hit all of those goals in 2021, so my 2022 goals included things like:
-Land on either Rolling Stone, Billboard or Brooklyn Vegan
-Hit 8k monthly listeners,
-Get on a Spotify Editorial Playlist
-Complete my first east coast/midwest tour
Since I hit those goals this year, my 2023 goals will be upping the ante a bit!
What was the most difficult challenge you faced?
Definitely the brain tumor. In 2017 I faced a brain tumor and had to undergo surgery. The recovery process was pretty brutal; I was bedridden for 6 months and had to relearn how to sing etc. It was a grueling journey but I just really wanted to be able to play music again. I’m so lucky that the tumor didn’t do more damage than it did, but it still makes my life complicated from day to day.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
I think I would go into something in the Science field, probably astrophysics. I’m obsessed with space exploration and the workings of the universe…although I’m pretty horrible at math, so maybe snowboarding instead?
You are also based in NY. Can you tell us how the music scene there has inspired your sound at all?
NYC is a really special place filled with all kinds of people. Unfortunately I didn’t get to experience much of the music scene because of COVID for the past three years. However I did meet some of the most important people that have become a part of my team/projects. Mike Monto, my video director, has been instrumental in shaping my brand both visually and aesthetically. I’ve always worked with some wonderful people in the alternative industry who’ve given me really solid advice on how to push forward and level-up. I’ll always hold NYC as a special place in my heart.
If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
It’s going to sound cliche but Madison Square Garden is so lit. I’ve seen like 3 or 4 shows there and every time I walk out of that venue, I fantasize about performing there.
Finally, have you got anything to share regarding upcoming gigs, and what have you got planned over the rest of 2022?
We’ve got one more gig in Los Angeles at the Silver Lake Lounge this year! After that, I’ll be hibernating in the studio to work on new material. I’ve actually already started writing music for the next project and I’m pretty stoked with the direction we’re going in, I’m really looking forward to 2023!
