'I take each day as it comes'

Singer-songwriter and London-based producer Dario Younger Darnell, better known by his stage name of ‘Youngr’, is most productive when he is in his studio ‘Mainyard’ in London.

He performs with five or more instruments at a time and always believes in making original music with most of his compositions drawing their substance from life experiences. ‘Youngr’ also writes about things that he reads and sees around him.

He left quite an impact in the music circuit after the release of his debut single called ‘Out of My System’. He has just released ‘Too Keen’, which is inspired by instances from his own life. ‘Youngr’ who was in the city recently to perform at the ‘Echoes of Earth Festival’, talks to Nina C George, about what keeps him going.

Tell us about your work.

I haven’t worked on a full-fledged album as yet but I’ve written many songs and I am releasing singles at the moment. The latest song that I’ve written is called ‘Too keen’, which is about my relationships. My original compositions are always about the things that I’ve experienced in my life.

Do you believe in the importance of bringing out original works? 

Absolutely! If you make a song about something that happened to you, you are speaking from the heart. I think people will believe you and relate to you in a better way.

Do you believe in planning your career?

I am one of those musicians who takes things as they come. I don’t believe in looking ahead too much because if I do, then I would be so overwhelmed because there’s just so much going on. I take each day as it comes because it’s more exciting and unpredictable but my girlfriend Zoey hates me for it, though.

How did you and Zoey meet? 

We met during the launch of ‘Out of my System’ and we met a party at 7 in the morning in East London. She has over the years calmed me down.  

You are also quite keen on bringing live music into clubs...

I would like to call myself ambitious because I want to bring live music into clubs. I  grew up learning instruments but kids these days are growing up learning DJing and music production much early on which is amazing. But there’s less live instruments these days and I am trying to revive it in a small way.

How has your childhood influenced your journey?

My father, August Darnell, is a musician and had a band called ‘Kid Creole’.
As a child, I would follow him around everywhere, play drums for him and perform at gigs with him. So music is in my blood.   

Who is your biggest critic?

My father. I have the highest regards for him and value his opinion.

Why did you choose to go by the name of ‘Youngr’?  
My name is Dario Younger Darnell. ‘Youngr’, I thought, was a more searchable name on Google, so I knocked off the letter ‘e’. I think it also makes me sound trendy and cool.   

Your experiments with Indian food...

I am no stranger to Indian food because there are a lot of restaurants in London and I am a regular at ‘Curry Mile', an Indian restaurant in South Manchester. I don’t like too much spice and prefer trying out Indian curries that are mild in flavour. However, my favourite combination, is ‘Chicken kurma’ with ‘Peshwari naan’.

Do you cook?

I don’t but my girlfriend is vegan and she cooks some tasty vegan food. I am slowly but steadily turning into a vegan. When I am at home, I am vegan but when I step outside, my focal plan is to eat a lot of meat.

What keeps you going?
Playing some chords or playing a groove on my drum kit, in my studio kickstarts my brain. I feel alive as soon as I enter my studio.