Meet Darik

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

Darik, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

This might be an easy question, but it’s also an important one.

I believe my generosity comes from my sister, Nesia. I’ve had the privilege of being her brother—of knowing her all these years and having someone I can always lean on. I’m the kind of person who doesn’t ask for much. I’m pretty resilient. And in some ways, I think that makes me “convenient”—because I’m resilient, people can use me or forget about me, and I’ll still be okay… right?

I think part of that resilience comes from a place of generosity—of giving whenever I can, and sometimes giving more than I should. I tend to overreach. And I think it’s because I’m always trying to be like my sister. I’ve watched her for years, and I’ve wanted to be as loving, as giving, and as selfless as she is.

But I don’t always feel like I measure up to that. So, I end up doing more than necessary, maybe in an attempt to close that gap between who I am and who she inspires me to be.

Any generosity I have—any part of me that reflects that quality—comes from watching her. Watching what she does for other people, for me, for our mom, for our brother. She’s just… all kinds of amazing. And if you ever see generosity in me, know that it most likely stems from her.

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?

My name is Darik. I’m a singer-songwriter. I make my own music and put it out there—that’s basically what I do. I’ve been doing this since about 2007.

So, I guess a little bit about me… Actually, it’ll probably be a lot about me—because no one really knows who I am, right?

I started out just singing in my room as loud as I could. I was always very loud. I think that’s probably what I’m best at. Eventually, I started recording music. I would find random instrumentals and just start singing to them, or try to create my own songs with them.

I remember when I was in maybe the fifth or sixth grade, my mom got me a little keyboard—one of those really old ones, probably from a garage sale. I would make up songs in my head as if I could actually play it. I couldn’t, but in my mind, what I was hearing wasn’t what I was playing. Still, I was writing songs.

Around 2007, I downloaded Audacity, a basic recording software, and used the oldest computer mic we had in the house to record my vocals. Eventually, I found another music program and started making my own instrumentals. After that, I bought a better mic and really started recording.

In 2008 and 2009, I was uploading music to MySpace—originals and covers of Japanese songs. That’s when a small record label discovered my song String (which was originally called Love and Honesty). They wanted to sign me, but I didn’t feel ready for a contract, so I passed on it. I kept releasing music here and there.

By 2011, I started working on an album called Reality Shift. It had about 16 songs. Some weren’t great, but some are still out there today. Around that time, I auditioned for different music programs and came across Superstar K. I got to meet Psy (yes, the Gangnam Style guy) and Yoon Mi Rae, and auditioned in front of both of them. They told me I needed to improve my Korean and come back the following year.

So, I enrolled in school to learn Korean. But in between, I signed with that same small record label and released my album Elliot: Volume One. Eventually, that label dissolved, and since around 2017 or 2018, I’ve been doing everything independently.

I took a break from music for a while. I started a career, got into a relationship, tried raising kids, bought a house—you know, grown-up life. I didn’t have time to make music the way I used to.

But about two years ago, I realized something was missing. I felt the pull to write again. The first song I wrote when I came back was Pardon. Since then, I’ve been working on a new album called Aletheia: Volume 3, and I’m really excited about it.

So far, I’ve released four songs from the project: Cedar Street came first, followed by Pardon, then Second Universe, and The InClosure. All four were released last year, and I’m continuing with new releases this year.

And that’s my story—what I’ve been doing and how I got to where I am now.

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

The Most Impactful Things I’ve Learned

The most impactful thing I think I’ve learned is how to sing. That’s pretty important in what I do and in the kind of music I make. Basically, I listened to all my favorite artists and combined their vocal qualities into one.

My very first vocal influence was Crystal Lewis. She’s a big belter with a voice that’s so distinct—unlike anyone I’d ever heard before. After Crystal, I discovered Rachael Lampa. I feel like the way my voice sounds today probably stems the most from her. I grew up singing all of her songs. Once I learned how to sing properly—well, I guess I taught myself—I’d be in my room belting Live for You, No Greater Love, The Art, and even later songs like Does It Have to Be Tonight, Summertime, and Close to the Sun. To sing those, your voice has to be able to push. So a lot of my vocal habits come from her. She’s just an amazing singer.

Another artist who inspired me a lot is Jason Mraz. Around the time I discovered Rachael Lampa, I also came across him. The sound of a lot of my music stems from him—he’s playful, unique in his vocal delivery, and makes music that never sounds bland. I love that. That idea—that when you hear a Jason Mraz song, you know it’s him—inspired me to shape my own sound. I want people to hear a song and immediately know, “That’s Darik.”

BoA and Koda Kumi also influenced my voice. BoA, a Korean singer who’s also famous in Japan, taught me how to adjust my vocal tone for different languages. When you sing in Korean or Japanese, your voice tends to sit higher than when you sing in English. BoA has a big, chesty voice, and singing her music trained me to use mine that way. On the flip side, Koda Kumi has a husky, emotional tone that’s completely her own. She’s probably the most emotive singer I’ve ever heard. There’s a sadness and beauty in her voice that’s just unforgettable.

So when you mix all those influences together—Crystal, Rachael, Jason, BoA, and Koda Kumi—you pretty much get my voice.

The Second Skill: Learn a Little of Everything

Another important skill I’ve developed is learning how to do a little bit of everything when it comes to music. If you’re working with a photographer, it helps to know how to take your own pictures so you can give clear feedback. When it comes to production, learning how to make your own instrumentals and understanding music theory can help you communicate your ideas more effectively and collaborate better.

For me, I didn’t have anyone to help me with that stuff. I had to figure it all out on my own. And honestly, I see that as a positive. Now, when someone takes photos of me, I know exactly what I want them to look like. If someone gives me feedback on how I should sing something or how a track should sound, I can either stand my ground or take their notes with a grain of salt—because I know myself and I know what sound I want. That helps me stay true to my creative vision and connect with people in my own way, not someone else’s.

The Third Skill: Believing I’m Worthy

The third skill I developed is simply believing that I’m worthy of whatever opportunities come my way. That belief took time to grow.

Back when I was signed to a label, I was offered performance opportunities at the House of Blues in Dallas and Los Angeles. I thought that was crazy. I remember thinking, “It’s just me. I’m not special.” A little later, I was even offered a stage at South by Southwest. At the time, I didn’t have the confidence to embrace those moments fully.

Now, I believe in my music. I like my music. And if I like it, that should be enough. That’s the mantra I live by: if you love the music you’re creating, and you believe in its quality, then do it. That’s reason enough.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always looking for people to work with. Honestly, I often have a hard time reaching out—mostly because I’m never quite sure what others are looking for, and I don’t want to come off as a bother. But on the flip side, I’m always open to collaborating—whether it’s on music, songwriting, or just helping build a catalog. Anything I can contribute to, I’m happy to help.

I think this comes from my nature—I’m generous with what I know. If I have even a little experience in something, I’ll try to lend a hand. I’ve done so much of this alone for so long, so the idea of collaborating is still a learning experience for me. But I truly believe that working with others can help us grow, share knowledge, and potentially build something bigger together.

As for me personally, I’m not necessarily trying to build a massive music career or become super famous. Touring constantly isn’t really the lifestyle I’m after at this stage of my life. But I do love making music, putting it out there, and performing at events. So if anyone needs a singer for a performance, or if you’re a producer or instrumentalist looking for vocals—I’d love to contribute, if my voice suits your vision.

I’m also a bit of a voice mimicker—I have a knack for adapting my voice to different styles or tones. That flexibility helps me fit into a variety of projects.

If you’re interested in working together or just want to reach out, the best way is through my website: www.darikicm.com. There’s a “Contact Me” button on there.

You can also find me on Instagram and TikTok. I have an X (formerly Twitter) account too, but I don’t really use it—so it’s probably not the best way to reach me. Instagram, TikTok, and my website are your best bets.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Photography by Ramesh Bhandari of Pics Creation

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