Darrian Gerard is an independent artist from a small town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. She write, record, and produce all of her music in her home studio. Darrian Gerard started playing guitar at 7 years old then picked up piano, bass, and drums soon after. Her main influences are Avril Lavigne, blink-182, and Angels & Airwaves. Her 4th single, 'Old Wounds', was released Dec 31st and has an official music video. 'Old Wounds' is about digging up past memories that you thought were once healed and not being able to let them go, even if it ends up hurting you or those around you.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
What have you been up to over the past year in this big old mess?
Even though things aren’t super normal right now, I feel like I’ve done so much this year! Especially in the music realm. I’ve gotten the opportunity to learn so much more about creating music, the industry, and overall getting better at my instruments. I’m super excited to see what 2022 has in store.
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a part-time job, family, admin?
It’s definitely not easy, by any means! I’d say I’m not the greatest at balancing things, but I hope to get better as my musical career progresses. I work full time, so making time for friends and family is a bit more difficult but it’s definitely something I try to make a priority. Also, I can’t write songs if I don’t experience anything haha.
Your latest track is 'Old Wounds'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
I’m so excited about this song, it’s a bit different from my past 3 singles and it’s definitely the direction I think I want my music to go. I actually wrote this song last summer when I was feeling a bit defeated and like I was unable to get over the past. I originally produced it that same summer, then decided I wanted to re-make it, and I’m so happy I did.
When you are working through problems in your work, who do you talk to?
I talk to my partner, for sure. He’s super understanding but also gives me pushes and nudges in the right direction and changes my mindset if it’s in a negative one. My sister is also my rock who I can trust wholeheartedly, and gives the best sisterly advice.
How useful has social media been for you?
I was actually just watching an Avril Lavigne interview where she was talking about becoming an artist in the era where social media wasn’t really a thing compared to today’s artists who rely solely on social media in order for their music to be heard. As an artist coming up in the social media era, it has been SO important for me in growing my audience. Figuratively, most of listeners and people who are interested in my music aren’t local for me - I would say around 70% of them are from different areas around the world, thanks to social media. So, it would be super interesting to see what it would be like as an aspiring artist 20 years ago.
How do you structure your day?
For me, every day is different. I would love to have a structured day-to-day schedule, but I work different hours. For the most part, I try to hit a few check-points off of my day like getting some exercise, practicing my vocals or an instrument, trying to create at least one piece of content, and catching up with the marketing side of my music. When I’m in the middle of producing or creating a song though, that’s mostly my priority.
What are your long term goals?
I want to eventually make music my full-time job. I want to be able to create music for a living, tour, and fully immerse myself creatively in the music world.
When faced with making a big decision, how do you decide what is the right thing to do?
My first thought is to tell someone, and ask their opinion, but I know deep down that my first instinct is usually the right one.
Do you have a mentor or coach?
I don’t! But I watch a lot of Youtube haha.
What are your plans for the future?
To release more music! I hope to continue to grow as an artist and hopefully get my music heard my more and more people with every release. One day, I’d love to release an album, but for now in order to get more people to listen and engage with my music, I’ll be sticking to singles.