Darrelle London (2011)

I’ve been playing piano since I was about five, and singing since I was twelve. I started writing songs in high school. Some of those first songs are kind of funny because they are about things I hadn’t yet experienced, like love and heartbreak. But, you have to start somewhere. I hope that first demo stays locked up though.

I emailed Perez a couple of MP3s about a year ago. He got back to me right away, and we’ve been working together ever since!

Perez listens to music from all over the world. I think it was just natural that he would be looking in different countries for his first artists. He places a lot more emphasis on the music, than on where the artist is from.

Amazing fans, friends, and family. I literally couldn’t be doing this without their support. Perez has really helped to grow my international fan base, which is great. I’m also grateful to CBC radio, and Canadian press and media for giving me support and airtime.

The people in my life, the city, strangers, fellow musicians. I try to be open to finding inspiration every day.

I get a bit nervous before shows. I find it helps to spend a few minutes alone before going on stage, just to gather myself and get my focus back. I’m usually running around, saying hi to friends and thanking people for coming out, so it’s important to get my focus back before going on stage.

Yes. I can say things in a song that don’t feel right saying within the “rules” of a relationship. I can say anything in a song, and that’s so liberating. That’s one of my favourite things about songwriting.

With friendships and romantic relationships, it takes me a very long time to get completely close, open, and comfortable with someone. That’s why my true friends are so valuable to me.

Ha, I used to work at a garden centre, and I still don’t know anything about flowers! But I like to use them in pictures and sometimes in my hair.

If you’re serious about it, then go for it, and work hard! It’s like anything else, you have to put a lot of time and work into it, but if it’s your passion, then it’s totally worth it.

I try to make choices according to my own values and aspirations, rather than other people’s expectations.