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Interview with Irian Darkwood
What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?
A: I’ve been singing since I was very small, I had a lot if encouragement from my music teachers, I don’t know, I just always loved to sing, I guess what got me seriously into music was seeing my friends succeeding in their music careers, and being encouraged by them as an adult to keep pursuing it.
If I hadn’t gotten into music I think I might have tried to pursue my childhood dream of being a veterinarian ha
What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?
A: I enjoy walking in nature, writing poetry, colouring ( it’s great for stress), and I sing to YouTube at home or karaoke at the bars.
I think the things I experience throughout the day and the songs I sing help me a lot with the creative process through relaxing,feeling and thinking about these things.
How long have you been around the music scene?
A: 26 years, including the time not spent on stages and such
Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?
A: I’m from Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada… I think that the local scene, the friendliness and encouragement from fellow musicians is a lot of what influenced me with the music
How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?
A: Irian Darkwood is a name I used for one of my characters in Dungeons and Dragons, at the time, it was just a cool character name, but now it reminds me of the creativity it takes to play D and D, create the worlds etc… so then it encourages me when I’m feeling not great, that I can create entire worlds and stories, so I can create my songs too.
Tell me about your most memorable shows.
A: - My most memorable ‘show’ was at a music festival years back, it was my first experience in front of… must have been 100 or more people, I was working medical there, and jokingly said I would because they were short people, they actually called me up and a musician there offered to play for me, terrified, but it was so much fun!
What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?
A: - I haven’t played any show yet, being new, but I wanna play places like Scotia Bank Arena or Madison Square Garden one day, hopefully
If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?
A: So many great artists out there, it’s hard to choose, but, I would have to say I’d love to be on the same stage as Lizzy Hale, Metallica, Evanescence
What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?
A: Don’t give up, it can be hard sometimes, but if you really want it, just keep going, also be kind, personality is a big thing in the industry, and people will remember you.
I guess I would tell my younger self to be gentle on myself, and that you can restart your life at any age.
If you could go back in time and give yourselves advice, what would it be?
A: Be gentle on yourself, be kind, don’t give up, things will be alright
Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?
A: All of my songs mean so much to me, I have a song coming up later this year called “That Secret Place” which is very close to my soul
Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?
A: Again, I’m just new to the scene, but when I was a professional karaoke singer a couple of my most requested songs were Youth gone Wild by Skid Row, Black Velvet by Alannah Myles, and Sweet Child O Mine by Guns and Roses.
What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?
A: Well for me as a solo artist, I take from personal experience, feel how these situations affect me, do a little reflection, and then I get a note book and a pencil and write it down, I feel writing by hand expresses my feelings better than through a keyboard, I’ll transfer it over to the computer when I’m finished so people can read it because my handwriting is like a doctor’s ha.
I use my personal experiences in life as my inspiration for my music.
What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?
A: I want my songs to be things people can relate to in their own lives, to tell them they are not alone, someone ‘gets it’s
Do you ever have disagreements in your band, and how do you get past them?
A: I argue with myself ALLL the time ha, I just tell myself to sit down and it’s ok lol
What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?
A: I plan to move to live gigs and tours in the future, get my face and bane more known and talked about. I have my debut single Lost Heart dropping June 21, 2024, you can join me at:
Youtube
Website
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