Story & Lesson Highlights with Destinie Lynn of View Park

Destinie Lynn shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Destinie Lynn , thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Since it’s October now, I like to pretend that we’re actually having cool weather and light some candles, curl up with a blanket, coffee, a book (or an interior design show), and indulge in some hygge bliss.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Destinie Lynn. I’m a folk & Americana singer/songwriter based in L.A.. My music primarily works within the American Roots tradition, with a lot of influences from Delta Blues, Folk, and Americana. I call it “porch music”, haha. I feel like that usually sums it up pretty well and gives people a good idea of what I do. I believe that music truly is medicine, and providing that to people is really important to me.

I’m releasing the first single off my debut album on October 10th, which I’m very excited about. And the full album is slated for release in early 2026. The banjo and its history are very close to my heart, so banjo features heavily on the single and the album. There are so many stories within this body of work that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to, or connect with on some level. I’m just so excited to share these songs with people.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I’d have to say my parents. They saw and supported my passion for music at a really early age. As an adolescent and now as an adult, I’m a very practical person and consider myself a realist, but it’s always been my parents who’ve encouraged me to pursue music and had the kind of blind faith in me that I didn’t have in myself at the time. I know that’s not a common experience for artists, so I feel really grateful for that.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The most important thing that suffering has taught me, is that I’ll be ok because I’m resilient. You don’t know that about yourself if you’ve only experienced success. Some of the deepest suffering and biggest failures I’ve ever experienced, I’ve been able to alchemize into my art or into positive changes in my life. I’m not one of those people who think that you have to be miserable to create good art, but you have to have a reference point for it. Like James Baldwin said, “your suffering is your bridge”; it’s what enables you to connect with other people. I’m someone who believes that adage, “all roads lead to suffering” haha. Everybody suffers, there’s no way around it. But maybe that’s why; it’s relatable. Suffering is where you learn, grow, and connect. And connection is the whole point.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to correcting the narrative around American roots music, what it is, and where it came from. Particularly narratives around the banjo. There’s been a groundswell movement of Black roots artists over the last couple of decades, who are dedicated to sharing the real roots of the banjo and old-time music. The banjo is actually an African diasporic instrument, but majority of people still don’t know that. It was brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans hundreds of years ago. There’s been an intentional erasure of black people and black history when it comes narratives around banjo music, and it’s really important to me to be a part of correcting that narrative and “pull my weight” so to speak, alongside other Black artists who have dedicated the entire careers to educating people on the real history.

A lot of times when I tell people that I play banjo (regardless of their race), they look at me with an expression of curiosity or surprise. I’m doing everything I can to ensure that in future generations, no one will be shocked at the idea of a Black woman playing banjo. Because it makes all the sense in the world.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
That’s a beautiful question. I’m really grateful to say that I don’t think I’d stop doing anything I’m doing now. I’m lucky enough to be doing what I love on a daily basis, or doing things that enable me to do what I love. I’m also in a place in my life where my personal relationships are strong and thriving, so I don’t think there’s much I’d do differently.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.destinielynn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/destinielynnmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinielynnmusic
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@destinielynn
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@destinielynnmusic?_t=8XmIxYfZOv5&_r=1

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/06s9YMqa9jvRYKKE2qrLrb?si=1dQoP9_hSbeZbyxfkftP2Q

  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/destinie-lynn/1484047711

Image Credits
Photo 1 – Elizabeth Wiseman
Photo 2 – Drew Bailey
Photo 3 – Maru-Alex
Photo 4 – Nicole Smith
Photo 5 – Matthew Weitz
Photo 6 – Drew Bailey
Photo 7 – Devin Huynh
Photo 8 – Adam Stutz