Darren Chilingirian shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Darren, 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: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Absolutely. The most recent moment that made me feel truly proud was the release of my new single, “Turn Them Around.” I’m a co lyricist and composer on the song, and creating it was a long, rewarding journey. I spent a lot of time writing, shaping the ideas, refining the lyrics, and recording until everything felt exactly right. Seeing all that hard work come together, and finally hearing the finished version out in the world has been an incredible feeling. I’m really proud of this song and of how much I’ve grown throughout the entire process.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Darren Chilingirian, also known as Darren Chillin, and I’m an Armenian American bilingual singer, songwriter, and musician from Los Angeles. I sing music in both English and Armenian, and I love blending my culture, my imagination, and the styles I grew up listening to.
I started playing piano at three years old and guitar at six, and I’ve been performing ever since. Music has always felt like my way of expressing who I am, and over time it’s become something I’m fully committed to. I’ve released several singles, “Earth to Mars,” “Mayr Hayastan,” “Hye Yerke,” and most recently “Turn Them Around.” I co-write my English songs with my vocal coach, Roberta Michele. Each song reflects a different part of my story and the messages I want to share.
One thing that makes me unique as an artist is that my music connects with a lot of different people. Even though I’m still young, kids my age like it, older teens enjoy it, and even adults tell me they appreciate what I’m doing. I think it’s because I bring a fresh, young energy while also keeping some of the classic styles people grew up with. It’s really cool to see so many different generations enjoy my songs.
Over the past few years, I’ve built a growing presence both in my community and online. I’ve performed at cultural events, fundraisers, and galas. Cool facts about me include: I’ve been in a Serj Tankian (from System of a Down) music video and I’ve met and played the guitar for Ed Sheeran who gifted me a signed guitar.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
The people who have taught me the most about work are definitely my family. My parents are some of the hardest working people I know, and watching them has shown me what it means to stay focused, put in effort, and never give up.
My musical journey actually started because of them. My mom plays piano, and she taught me my very first notes and little songs when I was really young. My dad plays guitar, and he’s helped me improve a lot over the years. He has also introduced me to looping which is a very unique skillset to have in the music world. My parents have taught me that if I set my mind to something and keep working at it, I can reach my goals.
They don’t just support me, they work with me. They take me to gigs, stay with me at the studio, help me practice, and get everything ready before events. We’re basically a team, and seeing how much time and effort they put into helping me makes me want to work even harder.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to be patient and enjoy the journey. When I was really little, I thought getting into music would happen fast, but now that I’m older, I understand how much time, work, and dedication it really takes. Nothing happens overnight, and that’s okay. Every rehearsal, every lesson, every performance, every song written is part of the process that helps you grow.
I’d remind myself to have fun along the way and not rush through the moments that make the journey special. Making music is something to be enjoyed, not something to hurry. If you stay committed, keep practicing, and believe in yourself, everything will fall into place at the right time.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to becoming an international music artist and sharing my music with people all around the world. That’s a goal I’m willing to work toward for as long as it takes. I want my songs, and the messages in them, to reach listeners everywhere, no matter what country or language they speak. Music brings people together, and being able to connect with different cultures and audiences is something I really care about.
I know it takes time, practice, and a lot of hard work to get there, but I’m ready for that. Every performance, every writing session, every moment in the studio gets me one step closer. I believe that if I stay focused and keep growing as an artist, I can make that dream a reality and inspire people across the globe.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Absolutely, music is something that always makes me excited. Whether I’m performing, writing, or creating something new, I’m always happy doing it. Every part of the process feels fun to me, from practicing at home to stepping on stage. When I know I have a performance coming up, I get that feeling where I just can’t wait to get there. I love preparing for shows, thinking about how I’m going to sing each song, and imagining what the crowd’s reaction will be.
Performing live is one of my favorite parts of being an artist. The bigger the audience, the more excitement I feel. I’ve always been someone who loves the stage, and the energy of the crowd is what I feed off of. When I hear people cheering or see them smiling, it makes me want to perform even better. I love entertaining and making people happy, and knowing that my music can do that is one of the best feelings ever. Every performance feels like a special moment, and those are the times when I feel the most alive and know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamminwithdarren?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jamminwithdarren?mibextid=JRoKGi
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@jamminwithdarren?si=hgLbkc4w931mrydN
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vuEDLe01pIQPLjQZX3Jnb?si=uHpAxQMISWWrovRV_M7X-Q
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamminwithdarren?_t=8nYcSL3ueFD&_r=1
Image Credits
HiTones Management
