Youngr: An interview with the multi-talented musician

Dario Darnell, aka Youngr, is a multi-talented percussionist, songwriter, and producer. Debuting last year with his self-released single Out of My System, the musician has already gained online popularity thanks to his impressive solo performances. In his setlist, there are bootlegs of Craig David and Daft Punk together with original pieces featuring as many musical instruments as you can think of. And, yes, he plays them all, by himself. 

After months of playing gigs internationally, the artist finally stops (briefly) in London, where the familiar faces and good vibes of the city make every concert an unforgettable event. We caught up with Youngr right before his show at Heaven on Friday to talk about the original style of his performances and the highlights of his non-stop summer around the world.

Hi Dario, thank you very much for your time before tonight’s concert. You’ve been in London before, how did you find the experience, compared to Guatemala or Kazakhstan?

It’s very different, you know. In London there are suddenly so many different types of people, coming straight from work, and the venue it’s usually a small, dark club. In Guatemala, instead, it’s usually an outdoor crazy gig on the beach for the Corona. They are two very different scenarios, but the energy is still amazing: people still smiling, having a good time, dancing.

London is always special, because it’s where I am based. So there are always friends and family that come down, which is great. Guatemala feels so far away, which is also an amazing thing. But London is great, because it’s always nice to see familiar faces.

You have had quite a busy summer, what have been the highlights for you?

I put on an amazing show in Romania, at the Electric Castle Festival. Iceland was great, too. It was crazy to be in a part of the world where the sun never went down. But then there was a hurricane, so we played for about 45 seconds. We went all that way for such a short time! But it was great, we drank a lot of alcohol and had a good time after the show. So, we turned it into a party.

You have a very particular style of playing music on stage. How did you discover it?

Years and years of playing music, playing drums, learning piano from an early age. Being in bands is actually the key to what I do on stage. I found if I’d never been in bands, rather had come from the DJ route, I don’t think I’d be doing what I am doing now. I was in my first band when I was 13, with my brother; he is on stage tonight, which is great, we have always been in bands together.

Who you look up to in the music industry nowadays?

I actually really like Calvin Harris – he has just released such an amazing album Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1. He got me into producing with his first album. The fact that he has had a career that long and that he is changing into different ways of music is really inspiring to see.

What are you heading up next? What are your plans for 2018?

Where are we next? I am going to India for two weeks, doing five shows around different spots in India. It’s going to be amazing, I cannot wait for that! 2018 is just about more music. I never plan that far ahead, that’s what my manager is for! I take every day as it comes. It’s definitely going to be more music, I don’t think an album yet, but songs, more songs.

So, you cannot reveal if you are going to be back in London…

No… America is happening in early January, but for London there is no date yet.

Cristiana Ferrauti and Maria Dolores Barrios
Photo: Filippo L’Astorina 

For further information and future events visit Younger’s website here. 

Read our review of Youngr’s concert at Heaven here.

Watch the video for Out Of My System here: