Wesley is a performing artist, songwriter and a producer who has remained on top in the music industry. After carrying out this interview with him my perspective of music has highly been changed, music is a career just like any other career such as medicine or teaching.
Wesley: This has been a question that I have always wanted to ask, Derby is your stage name, what are your real names?
Derby: Derby is the music name, it is the brand name that has risen in the musical career, and Derrick Barry is the name that my parents gave to me.
Derby: Music is a passion that I started pursuing in my childhood since I was six years old. I used to attend birthday parties and perform for my friends. In high school, I joined the music club where I learn to play the guitar and the piano. My first major performance was in high school when I had to perform in before the parents and students in the school’s 20th anniversary. Wesley: When did you do your first album?
Derby: My first debut album Worries was released in 2011
Wesley: Many parents feel that music should be a part time issue and one should pursue a career that is highly paying such as medicine or engineering, what was your parent’s reaction when you said you wanted to pursue music?
Derby: At first, there was some resistance especially from my father but after they realized that I was serious about my passion in music, they gave me their full support. I got my first guitar from my parents on my 12th birthday as a show of support on my passion for music. Music is just like any other career, it is also a business where I am a boss of my own self
Wesley: Do you write your own songs?Derby: I have always written my own songs, music is more than just performing, and one has to own his or her own words.I once tried to do music written by my friend, but I did not get that attachment as compared to music that I have written.
Wesley: Many of your fans have showed their love for your performances and your music, what inspire you to do this kind of music?
Derby: I do music for my fans; my music connects to the daily life issues that people go through, many of my albums such as Worries, Redemption, Rejuvenation and Blocks addressed issues that we have all faced in life.
Wesley: What music genre do you love most?
Derby: I am a fan of soft rock; I love listening to Matt Corby, and he is my favorite artist now.
Wesley: You are one artist who has been able to combine many genres and which looks so easy, however, few artists have such kind of talent.
Derby: I believe in exploring different genres, an artist who can work on different music genres has the advantage of capturing a wide fan base. One also gets to work together with other artists.
Wesley: Do you listen to your own songs?
Derby: I the number one fan of my songs, listening to my songs helps me to improve in my music career, before any performance I have a moment to listen to my songs get me to the zone.
Wesley: What was your most electrifying performance?
Derby; I think I give my fans the best in every performance; there is no performance that does not have its own thrill.
Wesley: Any awards so far in your music career?
Derby: I have been nominated for the Teen Awards this year, and I think this is a stepping-stone in my music career.
Wesley: Which artist would you like to do a collabo with or perform in the same arena?
Derby: Matt Corby and Passenger.
Wesley: What would be your advice to upcoming artists?
Derby: Many upcoming artists lose focus one they achieve fame, music is a passion, you give it your best and it will never disappoint as long as one is focused.
After the interview with Derby who has been a classmate ever since high school there is a lot that, I have learnt about the music industry. I have been surprised how he can combine his academic life and music life but after the interview, I was able to learn that music is just a passion and one will always find time to do what he/she loves most. Before the interview I firmly believed that music is a waste of time, however, this perspective has changed, and I believe that just like any other career, music can be a lifetime career for anyone with the talent and passion for pursuing it.Derby as a musician has been able to rise in the music industry because of his ability to combine different music genres, artists who can be able to work with different genres are able to capture a wider fan base. Derby also identified his childhood days in music and how his parents were at first reluctant to allow him to pursue music. Many young people have failed in their talents because they lack parental support; however, one should not give up. Parents need to be convinced that just like any other career music and other talents pay. A talent needs to be nurtured while one is young, and I believe by joining the music club Derby had the opportunity to learn more in his music career. As a performing artist the journey in the music industry is not an easy one, Derby has to compete with many other established performing artists but he has made it because he has ventured into a unique kind of music. Many artists cannot be able to sing and play an instrument at the same time; this has given Derby an added advantage in his music career. An artist who can play an instrument, write his own songs and still perform displays the talent and creativity that is in the music industry. Derby explained that writing his own songs gives him an attachment to his performance, once feels that he owes everything and has to give the best in all he does. Many young people in his age who have made it in the music industry have not been able to handle the fame, but I was surprised at how cool Derby was, the music fame did not seem to have much effect in his music career. At the end of the interview, I felt that there is a need for young people to be given the freedom to pursue their talents because success cannot just be based on academics.
