We’re looking forward to introducing you to DaGuyInBlack. Check out our conversation below.
Hi DaGuyInBlack, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What battle are you avoiding?
I’ve been fighting my obsession with cannabis my entire life. It was an escape from this cold world i’ve been tossed around in like a whirlwind my whole life. I haven’t lived in one place longer than 5 years now. Im currently 28 years old. It took me the past two years after getting kicked out of the Air Force for smoking cannabis, to realize it’s effects on my life. I got working at a dispensary which i thought was going to be my retirement at first. I felt at peace working with somethin i believed so heavily in up until today. The cannabis we have today along with the various products, are much stronger than they use to be when i was a teen. This lead to my abusing of the substances i was handed as samples bi-weekly at no cost from my job. I felt like i was making progress. For the past two years all i’ve felt is numb. Disabling my creativity drive and hindering my performance musically in hindsight.
I am very proud to announce that i am completely sober. I plan to keep it up, i dont plan to say i’ll never consume again. Even alcohol is ok in moderation. However that was just the problem. I couldn’t moderate after what i’ve dealt and haven’t dealt with. I’m ready to face life head on, today marks 1 month and 16 days of sobriety.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, im DaGuyInBlack. My name was drawn from The Man In Black himself, Johnny Cash. I started out recording 5 years ago in 2020 with a brand new Macbook i purchased. I used the money i earned in Air Force basic training to buy the brain of my operation, with some other gear along the way.
Two years into my contract, i deployed to Rammstein Air Force Base in Germany. Where i earned the money to pick up a desk, monitors, an audio interface to plug in my guitars and bass. Before i left for Germany i packed a big deployment bag with minimal clothes and most importantly, my brand new microphone. A Shure MV7 and i crammed in my new keyboard with drumpads a Arturia 49 key. I started getting serious about recording and distributing my music during this trip.
I pull heavily from my influences of Heavy Metal, Boom Bap, & Dubstep. Mixing this cocktail of aggression with a splash of heartfelt lyrics and my very own slang words. I started down the path that lead to to where i am today. Back in Kansas City from where i left for Georgia in 2019. Since moving home i’ve had the privledge to purchase my first home. I’ve spent the past two years getting comfy, making modifications, and prepping my music studio for the biggest project i’ve worked on so far. I’m very excited to report being back to work on my craft.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Man, i’ll never forget first off when i recorded my first track. It was with an old friend before i left Kansas City for the Air Force. It was my first time actually recording anything. We recorded my vocals over a beat that he made.
After that my second proudest moment in my career was putting together my first album. VICE GRIP, available now, was my first full solo project i realeased. I wont forget being so picky about the mixing and mastering to my capability at the time. So many car rides listening to my tracks. It didnt take much debating within myself for the track order. If you listen, you can hear the intended slowing and speeding up. The aggressive tracks balanced with the more subtle tracks blended to well for me. I pictured myself performing the album live on stage from start to finish. I even made a playlist of pre-show tunes for fans to listen to before i performed my album.
Since then i’ve come down to earth a little, somewhat haha! I still have those big dreams, but after performing at my local open mic at JBA in Georgia. I realized there is a path to follow before you make it on the big time. I also learned this lesson thinking i would gain “instant success” from going viral with my most recent music video HARVEST.
I understand now that things take time. Im no longer in a rush to fortune and glory. I am back to my original plan of making music for all ages that speaks volumes in multiple fashions. If you listen to my music, especially if you know me personally. You will hear the double entendres i typically place carefully in my lyrics. Even the music behind the lyrics is chosen with care and purpose.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Im proud of you kid, through all the challenges you’ve faced. I’ll admit, some avoided. You stood back up each time after being knocked flat on your butt. Im the only one who loves you the most. I will continue to take care of you and be more gentle in the future. I understand now why we fell victim to substance abuse. After enduring abuse from those meant to care for us, it’s the easy way out.
We’re doin mighty fine with a comfortable home, 4 cats you love more than yourself, a garden, and a big ole shed you built all by yourself. You’ve done all this and it aint the end yet. “There’s alot of work to doooo!” Johnny Appleseed (Disney’s Melody Time)
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Lately if im being truthful, not at all. It makes me sad and its something im working on every day. I use to be a loud little spazz, i still am! But when i dont feel comfortable i tend to crawl in my shell. Puttin this in writing i guess we all are kinda this way. Thanks for da free therapy CanvasRebel haha!
Speakin on the subject of people around you, i’ve been through the most lonely period in my life so far seperatong from the Air Force. I pushed everyone away because of a betrayal i faced getting kicked out. I wont go into detail, but it drastically changed the way i view the people around me. Something im constantly having to remind myself when i get scared of relationships.
To anyone out there dealing with a similar situation, you’re not alone. Also its ok to take a break from whatever you need to. Even if that means certain people. Be gentle with your boundaries, most wont understand the battle raging on in your head. Keep a journal to help you through The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly. See what i did there? One of my all time favorites.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most peace in my garden. I urge everyone even if you dont have a yard, to grow something. Its one of the most rewarding things ive done so far. I grew a watermelon, jalapenos, and bell peppers my first season this year. Field warm watermelon is wonderful!
I feel the most when i create music. I have a bad habit of stuffing my feelings sometimes. Those feelings usually work their way out of my stomach when i sit down to write or play. I also urge everyone to buy themselves some kind of instrument. Even if its just to goof off and experiment with. Thats how i got started! I still do it to this day haha! I have a growing collection of instruments i plan to use on my upcoming projects.
On my album VICE GRIP, i used a combination of loops from the Apple library. I also mixed in edited vocals with crazy effects, reversed loops and vocals. I even recorded some of the sounds you hear directly from my keyboard! On my future projects i plan to use all live recordings. Poise’N 4 Da Gods for example, is all live recording. The drum track was played on the drum pad of my keyboard but that counts in my book!
Contact Info:
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@daguyinblackdgib?si=soJuRkswqc3ZpRRW
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6CE6Oa8qAqeoG9AlMzIE3w?si=-XlBO0uZQMCpxyINYwAjng
Image Credits
Xenomorph mural by Tyler Moody.
Owner of Surreal Tattoo and Tiger Alley X in Kansas City, MO!
