Meet Darryl Scotti

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darryl Scotti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darryl below.

Hi Darryl, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

This is a great question because as songwriters, story tellers and creators we all wear it on our sleeves, products of those that came before and influenced us. Pretty much every song has been written already in one way or another and throughout time many great stories have been told in different ways.

I was speaking with Pat Carney, a few years ago drummer for Black Keys. I mentioned that much of their early material seems to have influenced newer groups at the time like Alabama Shakes or Black Pumas. He had mentioned that “we were influenced by groups like Devo, Tin Huey, Chrissie Honda and Chi Pig”. He went on to say “We’re all just learning from each other”. He’s right.

For me as a songwriter it’s how can I take all that I’ve ever heard, seen, read and experienced as an artist and give my take on it. All songwriters, singers, and creators have their own influences, with our unique style of writing, recording or performing that’s why with only 12 notes, in as many keys to work with and basically 4 scales in Pop music today we try to find a way to effect the listener with our songs in different ways. To take them on a journey.

For centuries musical pieces have been written with these same notes, keys and scales to find a unique twist from Bach to John Mayer and Beethoven to Sting. It’s pretty mind boggling when I think about it as a creator but to the listeners and fans it’s what resonates as an emotion that counts.

At the end of day for young artists who are finding themselves, dig deep and know there’s only one you, him or her. I personally choose me since after all I know me best and all the other you’s, him’s and her’s are already taken. 🙂

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?


With five decades of experience in the music industry as a musician, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, founding Big Yard Nation as a music collaboration we are setting the stage for other talented artists to rise through the ranks and have their music heard through Big Yard Nation.

“Our mission is to amplify a community dedicated to creating original music by offering a platform they may otherwise not have,” he said. “To be able to help artists develop their own music from the ground up and provide the support they need is our passion.”

As an artist my band Big Yard spearheaded alongside me by producers Alex Chacon and Aaron Howard, with our debut single ‘Proof’, Big Yard brings together a diverse blend of influences, ranging from rock, country and pop to jazz and R&B.

We try to produce infectious melodies with contemporary production, ‘Proof’ from its crunchy guitar riffs to its pop-inspired segments, we hope the track keeps listeners on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Reminiscent of the energy of iconic bands like The Eagles and Bruce Springsteen, ‘Proof’ captures the essence of classic rock while infusing it with a modern twist. The lyrics, speak to the universal themes of love and longing, we hope resonates with audiences on a deeply personal level. This song signifies the battle for emotion and addiction, the struggle to break free from the chains of the past and embrace a brighter future.”

Released through Big Yard Nation, ‘Proof’ marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Big Yard. With their debut album ‘54th St’ to be released May 30th, the band is poised to captivate audiences with their eclectic sound and heartfelt storytelling.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Simply put my love of God, my country and family. Hold true to what matters most in life, work hard, treat others the way you want to be treated and let the rest take care of itself.

But for qualities, skills and knowledge I think it was my love for music as an early child. It made me feel emotion and to be curious. I wanted to learn how to sing or play the songs I heard and eventually how to write my own.

I took a class in High School with a teacher I still remember, Mr. Thomas. He was the conductor of our orchestra and taught a Music History and Appreciation class. We learned how to recognize classical pieces and composers in the first measure or so sometimes in the first couple notes. This brought me a deep sense of how music can quickly affect the soul.

I always say to young artists to work hard, nothing comes easy, never give up and believe in yourself. Talent is God given, be humble. Fame is man given, be grateful. Conceit is self given, be careful.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

My father was a self made man that came from a tough Italian neighborhood in Brooklyn. His father was an immigrant who came to America for a better life. They both were lovable charming men but had bad tempers. I learned from me father how I didn’t want to be. I wanted to break that cycle and I have work it everyday

My mother was a beautiful young model when she met my father and had so much talent and potential. After marrying my father she ended up with four children and sacrificed her passion to raise us as decent kids.

She taught me it was better to believe in my own passion, work hard for it and never let go then to settle for something I didn’t love. It’s my mother I credit for teaching me how to believe in myself and dig deep. God rest her sweet soul. I think of her almost every day.

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Photos by Neil

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