Today we’d like to introduce you to Darnell Perkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey started back in Indianapolis, Indiana. I grew up pretty family-oriented and surrounded by creativity. As for myself, I spent a lot of time performing with my siblings and cousins in churches. We’d be accompanied by my aunts, uncles, and my pops on keys, drums, or bass. As time went, on I picked up the saxophone and began classical training. What was first a fun hobby in school became a bit more serious as I trained with symphonic orchestras outside of class and was performing Rachmaninoff and Gershwin competitively at the state level. Traveling to New York to play at Carnegie Hall when I was 13 is hands down the highlight of this journey so far. I enjoy playing jazz and doing R&B covers as of recent, however, classical music will forever have a special place in my heart. After graduating the University of Michigan, I moved back to Indianapolis to reconnect with family before relocating to Nashville, Tennessee where I’m connecting with incredible conductors, musicians, and peers who share a similar passion.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey hasn’t been the easiest. Navigating my early 20’s has been a bit disillusioning. Everything isn’t one big passion project, coursework, and awards. There’s been a lot more to life that my eyes have been opened to which requires me to adapt and change my approach to things. I’ve had to balance my passions with brutal hours doing field sales, unpaid work, and food service. As I transition into a corporate space in data analytics, its my intention to invest back into my hobbies off the clock. I’m grateful to have mentors and unexpected collaborators to seek me out, giving guidance as I transition further into manhood. Consciously stepping away from stagnant roles and teams to build a new network that is more in alignment with my ambitions has come with a gamble. I hit a point last year where everything felt like it was shifting at once, forcing me to shed and leave my comfort zone behind. It’s required trust in my own talents and faith to stay grounded during an intense transition. I do everything to better my family and I’s situation. Having their support as I continue to both add to the spaces around me and receive what’s ours is something irreplaceable.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve become a bit of a “jack-of-all-trades” over the years. I’ve gained recognition for my work directing and shooting fashion photography, with my biggest achievement being featured in Photo Vogue. However, my greatest creative attribute is in my ability to make and perform music. It’s something generational in my family that’s becoming harder to ignore. When I create in that space, I feel connected to something bigger than myself. It’s honoring my ancestral history and heritage. Music has always been a form of healing, for both me as a performer and to those who receive it. I’m still studying music theory in my free time, but have been leaning into a more relaxed style of playing. I love challenging myself by learning songs completely by ears in under an hour. I’ve done a handful of covers that way ranging from Whitney Houston and Beyoncé to Billie Eilish and PartyNextDoor. I have a wide array of influences and I’ve shared so far has barely scratched the surface. I’m excited to begin unraveling and sharing these deeper parts of myself over time.
How do you think about luck?
I like to thank God for everything that happens in my life, good or bad. So I rarely attribute things to luck. Coming back home to Indianapolis helped me contextualize my place here in this world. I used to work with Mayor Jogsett on issues such as homelessness, mental health, gun violence, and race relations back in high school, which opened my eyes to the power of my voice. Being in Ann Arbor, Michigan for university was a privilege, however, being re-immersed back in old neighborhoods and communities was a reminder of my foundation. As I continue to grow, staying grounded in the truth that these opportunities aren’t afforded to everyone who may be deserving is important to me. Especially as I collaborate in the future. I’ve always worked hard for everything I have in my life, but circumstances still play a big role. I look forward to developing my craft to both share parts of myself and what all has been mirrored to me from those I grew up around. One thing I am very lucky to have is a home studio here in Nashville. I’m able to create in a comfortable space which goes a long way. It’s my hope to dig deeper and become more vulnerable in my work which can sometimes be difficult for me. Starting at home makes that process smoother.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dpeditorials.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darnellperkinsjr
