Meet Deau Eyes

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deau Eyes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Deau, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter Syndrome is a sneaky beast. I still deal with it. What I have learned to focus on is that there is no other person that can offer what you can offer. No other human is going to play, sing, rock out on your song the way that you will and that is a priceless offering in itself. I focus on love as the currency now rather than perfection. If love is the leading the way in our intentions we are always in the right place.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a creative artist and singer-songwriter. I love to make things from moments in my life that feel too complex to digest on their own. It’s exciting now that I’ve built a community of musicians around my work. I hire different players for different gigs and work in all kinds of musical settings. Four or Five piece rock band, string quartet, 18 piece big band or the Richmond Symphony, stripped down duo or trio, adding background vocalists– I try and keep challenging myself and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to do so in my community. I’m always shifting and learning about what the song is asking for room to room, band to band. I love that songs can take on so many lives and evolve with us as we grow. I have a project called Tour de Richmond every year where I play around 12 shows in two weeks, all in my hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Each show is a different band lineup, style, and setlist. The point is community and collaboration. Engaging folks into something they can be a part of and expanding our points of connection. I’m working on a new album– it’s looking like two albums simultaneously. I’m trying to figure out what pieces of my musical sensibilities are most potent in this moment. The hardest thing is keeping up with yourself. Producing what you write fast enough to feel like it’s still relevant to you when it gets released.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The biggest thing that pushed me forward was going for it before I felt completely ready. Don’t wait until you’re an expert to put yourself out there. Get on stage with three chords in tow, a janky guitar, and butterflies in your stomach. Let your voice crack and keep going. There is no way I would be here had I not put myself out there again and again. Get comfortable failing and get back on that horse.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I think it’s important to listen to your gut and be honest with yourself on this one. If you have a genuine desire to learn something, go learn it. Even if you think you won’t be good at it. Even if it doesn’t seem to make sense yet in the path of how you’ve labeled yourself. We are more limitless than we think.

In the past I have stressed about not knowing enough music theory to keep up with the stellar musicians I surround myself with. I’ve tried to be a better producer and learned Logic, recording techniques, basic theory to keep up with the incredible producers I work with and to record my own work. I’ve taken lessons with some of my band mates to understand a little more of where they’re coming from in my music, so that I can better lead. All of this said, I am an artist. My strength is creating something out of nothing with words and a voice I have studied and labored over with love. I am naturally good at throwing myself into the heart of things. I love singing and writing songs more than anything I will ever love— except maybe playing drums when I’m actually good at that someday. Ultimately for me it’s a balance, finessing my natural abilities while deeper understanding where others are coming from in pursuit of bringing my work into it’s full potential.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Joey Wharton
Dylan Akers
Jada and David

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