Darci: My Favorite Weakness
Darci, an anonymous producer-vocalist duo, molds hip-hop, electronic, and R&B elements into a laid-back vibe. The lyrics span celebration and depression, while the production emanates a 'driving through the city night' sound. Darci has performed alongside Lil Xan with more live shows on the horizon. Their latest release, 'On My Own,' stands atop their polished production and distorted vocals. We spoke with the dynamic duo over email to learn more about their songwriting process, skull cats, and creative inspirations. Here's what they had to say:
photo: @darksidedarci
Songwriting And The Creative Process
We start from scratch in the studio with a sample or a melody that’s been on one of our minds. Then, we lay down a baseline or 808 pattern. We put drums over that sample or melody while we write the lyrics. By the time we structure a solid beat, the songwriting is finished.
From there, we experiment in the booth. Often times, we need just a few takes. Other times we need to tweak some things. Almost every Darci song we’ve released was finished in one night. It’s just how we like to work; capturing everything in the moment, even if that means no sleep.
Our chemistry comes from our similar taste. We make what we want to hear. Music is therapy for us. We would make music no matter what just to stay sane. It just happens to be that we share our work as Darci.
On Staying Anonymous
Anonymity doesn’t affect our path too much. We do our thing and try our best to stay all right. We're happy to be making music and sharing it with people who care to listen and might feel the same way. We want our songs to be a safe place for the people that feel them; somewhere they can go when they need to get away.
photo: @darksidedarci
We wanted to make the project about a feeling. We focus on the music of course, but build the art and visuals around it. In a lot of ways, this is therapy for us. Expressing ourselves through music and art allows us to speak with a voice that doesn’t always come out in our day to day lives. The masks, the visuals, and the skull cat represent that voice. Whether we put out a song about depression or celebration, everything ties into the dark side that people hide from others.
Skull Cat and Cover Art
We wanted to create something that’s both beautiful and menacing at the same time. Sometimes, we make the cover art ourselves. For the skull cat, we created a concept that we could present to talented visual artists as inspiration. We have linked up with a ton of amazing artists from around the world to create the different skull cats. It’s something we are excited to keep doing.
Darci Cover Art, photo: @darksidedarci
The girl on the cover art is always the same person. She’s a friend, beautiful and menacing in her own way. You will continue to see her around future projects.
Skull Cat, photo: @darksidedarci
Toughest Obstacles
Anxiety + depression. Not only within ourselves, but also the people we love. Mental illness can be a challenge no matter who you are or where you’re from.
photo: @darcibeats
Performing With Lil Xan And Wearing Masks On Stage
It was cool performing with Lil Xan. His fans are wild and we fed off of that energy. We were new to a lot of the people in the crowd but the kids still showed love. Performing is amazing and we're looking forward to more.
Darci opening for Lil Xan, photo: @darksidedarci
We wanted to incorporate the skull cats into a mask that we could wear on stage. We love when artists go the extra mile to create their own vibe and universe. We wanted to do the same. Creating that vibe will always be our goal with the Darci live shows. We brought out just one of the designs for the masks. We are working on different ones you’ll see soon. We love sci-fi shit, monsters, and apocalyptic stuff. These elements are certainly an inspiration.
The Sound
We just make what we like. We don’t think about genres too often. For us, our music is a form of therapy and meditation. We hope it can create that vibe for other people; an escape.
We listen to everything from Hip-Hop and R&B to hardcore music and drum and bass. These sounds rub off into a musical gumbo of our stylistic choices.
In The Studio
We use Logic Pro. We record at all different studios when we travel. At our home studio, we like to keep the lights low with lots of purples and pinks, and artwork on the walls. We try to build the Darci universe around us. It’s important to create a consistent vibe when possible. We record whenever we can, but prefer nighttime.
photo: @darksidedarci
New SIngle: 'On My Own'
"On My Own" came together like most Darci songs; in one night at our home studio. We loved the samples we had on deck for that session, so it was a very natural process that came together quickly.
Our songwriting is abstract. It's based off a collection of moments and feelings that form around the production. The song is about feeling okay with being alone, but still having an attraction to someone who you keep going back. “On My Own” is personal to us, but we like to leave things open to interpretation. We hope that people apply the song to themselves and find their own stories.