Conversations with Destinee Alera

Today we’d like to introduce you to Destinee Alera

Hi Destinee , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My parents always tell me that I came out singing. In restaurants, malls, anywhere I could. Growing up, I watched my dad produce music. I would sit in on his sessions, mesmerized by everything happening on the computer. And then he bought me my first keyboard when I was 7, after I fell in love with it seeing and hearing Alicia Keys. From then, the rest was history. For all of my schooling pretty much, I attended a music charter school. Getting to sing, dance, act, and be in such an engaging environment cultivated so much of the passion I have for music today. I grew up getting to do some amazing things, and I’m forever blessed for those experiences. And yet, I still feel like I’m just starting. I’m in my second year of being a professional musician though I’ve been performing my whole life, and I’m just excited for the journey to come.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I definitely wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road. Moreso because of my own personal struggles. There were a lot of times where I questioned myself, whether I was good enough, whether I had the capacity. But so many moments and signs have confirmed for me that this is who I am, what I want to do, and that I will pursue it even if I do fail. I’ve experienced feeling lost when it comes to finding my own voice, or feeling like I didn’t have the resources around me that other people did. Or even the feeling of not releasing things fast enough, or them sounding how I want. But I know that it’s all part of the process, and I’m in no rush. Because there is so much time to grow, to make mistakes, and to fully become who I want to be. That’s the piece of it I’m at now; just taking everything as it comes, and being grateful for it all.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an artist and musician born and raised in Oakland, and based in LA. Though I love to dance, act, model, and just express myself in all creative ways, music has always been my first love. Music captures feelings and experiences in a way that nothing else in life could. It’s layered with so many colors and emotions that connect us all on a human level. I’m most proud of myself for still going even when the unknown is present. I’ve realized that there’s so many things that push people to give up, to become frustrated or feel hopeless. For me, I know that in my soul and in my bones I will never be content without music. It’s quite literally a piece of me, and so that feeling pushes me forward in the hardest moments. I value authenticity when it comes to music and the things I want to give to the world. I always want my music to sound organic, and like me. I don’t ever want to be boxed into one thing, or into a certain sound. So as much as possible, with everything I do, I wanna make sure I’m challenging myself and just capturing what feels real.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My parents are the number one people who deserve credit for all that I am. They are the biggest supporters, cheerleaders, and cultivators of everything I’ve done, and so much of the music I love is inspired by them. A lot of the people in my life know me for my extensive music taste, and it’s all because of them. Growing up, my dad played soul music, all the sounds of the 60s-70s, and r&b deep cuts. My mom did too, but all of the favorite songs we share are from eras of rock and pop music, from Green Day and Avril Lavigne to Justin Timberlake and Vanessa Carlton. I truly would not feel so confident in myself, so connected to music, without them.

My whole life, I’ve had so much support in terms of the community I grew up in. I had such a unique experience going to one school for my entire life, so much that so many of my best friends are still the ones I had when I was 9 years old. Likewise, so many of my favorite teachers are still a piece of my village. Music teachers and my educators in general, I still keep in contact with and continue to feel so much support from them all. I’m so grateful to have experienced a childhood full of love and support, and I don’t take it for granted because I know that so many people have never had that. And so I lean on them all when I can.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/destineealera
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destineealera/
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-222589243

Image Credits
image 1: David Trice
image 2: Maya Corpening