Irish Born Music Artist And Author
Dar.Ra is a Music Writer, Producer and Author earned his strips with hits for EMI and 21St Artists. Set The Kusha Deep Label in the 2000s releasing his first solo Album in 2009, called ‘Soul Hours’ was supported by the UK and USA Music Press and Radio. Album of the week on Heart FM Spain with one of the tracks Haunted Dancehall featuring on a Hollywood film staring Hilary Duff and ‘Snakes On Planes’. Dar.Ra played on BBC Radio Cambridge to a million people live when they connected up their Regional stations around the Midlands.
Various EPs ‘Now Is Now’ and soundtrack to film Documentaries ‘City Of Hope’ have also done well which has lead to the recent album ‘New Kinda Normal’.
A Rock N Roll tour de force which has seen three singles really make some movements happen in America.
Tracks have landed number 1 spots on Radio stations in the USA, play-listed on TV stations LA TV, H2O NYC, Nashville Music TV as well as front cover of Hype Magazine and loads of amazing press. The current single ‘Rock Steady’ is looking like breaking through the mainstream. A feat more amazing as its all from his own Kusha Deep label.
Dar.Ra has also written two books under his full moniker Darragh J Brady ‘Road Tales’ and ‘The Night That Jimi Died’ which have also been given top reviews on Good Reads and Amazon Books.
A new EP Whisky n Honey is on release and already getting great press and radio support.
For more info please email kushadeep@yahoo.co.uk
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1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
The thought of having to work in a factory or a building site give me the drive to learn how to play guitar and get in a band, tour and make a living through music.
I grew up listening to my Mums Beatles, Stones, Small Faces, Motown, Stax and Jazz Records. I was lucky because music was always in the House. My Mum also played piano and she taught me how to play the Boogie Woogie and chords. She also bought me a drum kit when I was ten year old and helped me buy my first studio kit a few years later. She is the biggest influence on my life.
Always encouraged me to write and produce while listening to everything I was recording and coming to my early shows. She gave me the best feedback I could ask for.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I get inspiration from my heroes but wouldn’t compare myself with anyone. I just see storylines and add a melody to it. I’m into writing mini films and soundtracks that allow ppl to escape the world for a few moments.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
Being an Artist is no easy career choice, most people think You’re insane to follow a path in the Arts. If your true to Your Art you will see a lot of people come and go in Your life.
People who come along because they think its glamorous, soon find out its not. When you carry your amps up flights of stairs to do a show for a few hardcore fans or sitting in studios for 17 to 18 hours listening to the same track over and over again is enough to drive most people insane very quickly.
This kind of adversity gives you lots to draw on and write about.
People think because Your not playlisted on Mainstream Radio that somehow Your not as good as a Major label an artist is a hard fact to face, especially when Your making better Music than most Major label artists. I have been signed to EMI and made records for other majors so I know what its like to have massive company behind and also been on the street hustling on your own.
The winds can be cold and cruel on your own, but the success feels even better when you start achieving things on your own merits.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Ideas come from everywhere so no set formula. I’m just looking for stories that have not yet been told. ‘Whisky n Honey’ the title track is about someone who has a loving family but feels choked by the everyday reality and decides to give it all up for a life chasing momentary highs in a Neon Fantasy Land. Eventually the character realises it was a catastrophic mistake but there is no return to their original life as they have moved on. Its about not giving up on the Real things in Your life.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
I’m thinking of hijacking Donald Trump and holding him captive in Trump Tower, and making a demand that Mainstream media cease from spreading Fear and Panic while allowing Indie Musicians to be heard on the same channels that the Major label artists enjoy due to having a bigger budget.
Thats the only difference why a lot of good bands are not heard, the big players do not have vested interest in them so they ignore them. I think being Independent with a Big budget is the best place to be. The old model is gone now and has opened up avenues that artists could only of dreamed of 20 years ago. its all about Marketing budgets and how well You can hustle now. Making the best Music you can is a given.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
I have made big money and no money, seen my music in major retail outlets being sold by labels while not having enough to buy lunch. Just because your signed doesn’t mean your making any money. These days you have to have a few sources of income coming in too fund things as its a tough gig to survive on live or streams. We are in a time when You have to do it for the Love and find ways of getting Your fans to support your releases.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
If your not internet savvy make sure someone in the band is, if your not on social media your technically in a dangerous place. This tech is Mind blowing and should be used to connect you with Your fanbase, whats not too Love about it?
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
If you’re staying True to Your vision and other people Love it and want to support that then Your ‘winner winner Veggie dinner’. The only sell out is when you give up what Your about and Sell someone else vision while you pretend its Yours. All games are based on skill and having luck on your side its the same with Music. If the Gods are with You then the sails are set for battle and victory is Yours.
9.) What are the positives and negatives of the music industry? What is it about the music industry that makes some artists push forward? What do you think makes some artists quit?
The positives are you get to make something that helps people feel something that they might not of other wise. Your get to share a vision and maybe express feelings that other hearts might not be able too. The negatives are lack of funds and the reality of having to work jobs that you hate to fund your passion. Some artists are in it for the long haul and some are not into the struggle to get noticed enough for people to take them seriously.
10.) What trends do you see staying or going?
Social media will get even bigger in terms of over taking mainstream outlets. Indie Radio will also take over from commercial radio which will decline in years to come, due to a restrictive playlist policy. Spotify has already served time on mainstream Radio. People will turn off the TV for good and just use it to watch old DVDs on as its not worth turning on anymore. Communities will merge more and cross over from Hip Hip to Metal to Classical, less divide on what people are into. Live Streaming Of Mini Festivals where bands set up in local venues and hold sponsored live streamed shows, cutting down on the carbon footprint. Loads of innovation will take place we just have to let our imaginations run wild.
11.) With so many people online who are expressing their opinions on any and everything under the sun, how do you know when to take something as constructive criticism or when to see it as trolling?
The intent is different. If you generally love something but could hear something going to the next level and suggest your ideas is way different to trolling. Trolling is just someone who is scared of using their imagination in case they get criticised. They choose to bring someone else’s vision down to make them feel better about not expressiing themselves creatively. Its a kind of metal illness to be honest.
12.) If you were to advise an up and coming musician on how to get more fans, what advice would you give them?
Keep making the best Art you can and share it with your community and go from there.
13.) There are multiple ways of attaining fans and building up your fan base, so what are some ways you acquire fans?
All the usual suspects playing live and social media, talking to people on the bus about what you do. Local is the first post of call. It about being an asset to people in times of need.
14.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I hope to be able to look back and see an amazing Catalogue of Killer music and films. I have written two books also which have been well received. One called ‘Road Tales’ about amazing People I have met while touring and another one called ‘The Night That Jimi Died’ which is a bout a Girl who can channel the spirit of Jimi Hendrix and changes the world with her Music by altering human DNA. I would like to be making longer feature films and more abstract Music.
Whisky n Honey (Lyric Video) Original Cut
The Lights Lyric Video Dark Night Remix
Rock Steady Album Cut
Jammerzine Review https://bit.ly/2Per674