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Interview with Darin Southam, LDS Musician
Posted on Feb 25, 2006
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 LDSFiles.com recently interviewed a rising LDS star - Darin Southam (www.darinsoutham.com). With his self-titled debut, Darin releases more than his album, but also uncovers a piece of himself.
Darin's new album was released in stores in August of 2005. It introduces 3 original songs that Darin wrote; "A Way To You", "Me Puedes Amar (You Can Love Me)," and "The Valley Clear". In addition to these new sounds, it also features freshly orchestrated hits, such as "What a Wonderful World" and "Come What May" from Moulin Rouge.
Here's our interview with Darin.
Tell me how this album came about.
In this profession, and it is a profession, there are I suppose 2 types of the "right person" to sing for: One is someone who is financially able to get you started. The other is someone who has the right contacts to take you to the next level and sometimes that means all the way.
In my case, the "right person" happened to be someone who was financially able to get me started... this is actually the more difficult way to do it, as I have come to find out, because it leaves finding the contacts up to you!
Incidentally, I was singing along my merry little way performing here and there and, in essence, I sang for the "right person" because after one of my performances, I was approached by this "right person" who proceeded to open a discussion about helping me start a music career.
It wasn't as easy as that though... I had been pursuing other things that were perhaps more traditional, like law school and business school... I did not expect this and consequently had to make a life changing decision; choose a career I love that perhaps won't be as stable or choose a more traditionally mapped out career that may or may not make me happy. Statistics show, most people choose the traditional route, not to say that is bad, but my wise grandpa Nick always told me to choose something I love that makes me happy. That's smart you see, because only when you love something will you ever have enough passion to do something great or to attain to your loftiest potential.
As the story continues... I have always been what I call a "conservative risk taker." I knew I could sing and had confidence in my business sense to keep this thing rolling, so I decided to go for it with my eyes wide open. Music, as you know, is a hard business to make it in. I knew that before I got into it, but I know it even more now that I am in it! All that said, I knew this was an opportunity that I was given for some purpose and I could not turn it down. I won't say I haven't looked back because I would be lying, but I will say I have never looked back and wished I had chosen differently. I love music and I love performing... entertainment is where I belong.
What is the inspiration behind the album?
I guess the inspiration behind this album exists at several levels. I feel the reason God gives us talents or gifts is to uplift, strengthen, alleviate, and inspire each other, but at the same time, I didn't want to make the album, or "my genre," overtly religious in any way. I wanted to create a musical work that would move people, of any background, who enjoyed orchestral, jazz, and pop music. Entertainment is one of the most essential and needed elements of our society - that's why we all need weekends!
I have something to give to the people in this world and I feel like some of it came out in my album... I say some because I plan on doing a few more. This album shows one side of me that is a very big part of me. Recently, I have discovered a more Jazz/Lounge style, which people can expect to hear more of in future albums. You get a little taste of what I am talking about with cut 9 on the CD, "What A Wonderful World."
You wrote some of the songs on the album – tell us how those songs came about?
Well, "The Valley Clear," for starters, was the very first song I wrote. The background came from my life really... relationships I suppose. I wanted to portray how this girl, whom I soon would marry, gave clarity of vision to my future. The song is a story which expresses feelings I have had when I have lost a good relationship (or in this case, waiting for her to return) and also feelings of when that relationship is renewed... and of course it ends happy!
"Me Puedes Amar," is Spanish for "The Nino!" Not really... it means "You Can Love Me," and it was written for the woman I did marry. Knowing Spanish made it a little less intimidating, but going for Spanish on song # 2 was still quite a leap of faith. This song is about trust... the most sacred trust of all. It's about leaving the sometimes lonely life of being single and trusting your heart and soul to the partner of your choosing, knowing that it could be broken. Most people love the single scene and I had my fun with it, but ultimately it is a natural desire to find this deeper relationship. Love is a risk that both people involved take and this song addresses my feelings about the subject. Here is the translation... I think it speaks for itself:
Spanish Lyrics
Si eres quién me puede amar
Me tomas la mano hoy día
Si eres quién me puede amar
Abraza mi alma hoy día
No quiero yo jamás
Sentirme a solas
Si eres quién me adorará
Te daré un beso hoy día
Si eres quién me puede amar
Mi vida siempre será tuya
Existe dentro mio
Un sentimiento
Me puedes amar
English Translation
If you're who can love me
Take my hand this day
If you're who can love me
Embrace my soul this day
I never want
To feel alone
If you're who will adore me
I will give you my kiss this day
If you're who can love me
My life is forever yours
There is inside of me
A feeling
You can love me
Lastly, "A Way To You." This was an interesting one. I sat down a day before we were going to the studio to record our second session and I had to write it fast... I sat at the piano for about an hour and a half and in the last 15 minutes I wrote this song. The melody flowed and the lyrics followed right with it. I drove to Logan, where my co-producer, Jay Richards, assisted with getting it on paper. The song is about that sometimes all to common side of relationships where one of the two, in spite of his or her best efforts, just can't reach the other. It's about commitment and what happens when it isn't strong enough... the relationship dies and one is often left wishing it would have worked out.
Tell me about the Saxon Chronicles.
Ah yes, "The Saxon Chronicles." This film was so fun to make. It is based on historical facts and is one of the most inspiring stories to be told. Set in about 890 A.D. King Alfred, never thought he would survive his brothers to be king, but did in fact and was the last king left to defend all of England against the invasions of the vikings. Through his noble defense and leadership, England still stands today. I felt connected with Alfred at so many levels. Many trials and experiences I have had in my life helped me to understand some of his hardships and made it almost effortless to find his character, which is why I found so much fulfillment in portraying him.
The film itself was made on a shoe string budget but you would never know by watching it. Admittedly, I was very surprised how good it turned out. I was drawn into the movie... it grabbed me and I forgot I was watching myself! That is an accomplishment for me because I am so self critical of my performances.
How did your involvement come about?
Although I have an agent, this opportunity came about of my own initiative. I am a member of the Utah Actors Group and I saw an audition notice posted for the title role in this film. I read the character description and fell in love with the role immediately. I responded to the audition posting and the director, Jeshua De Horta (AKA Josh), who happens to be Andy Garcia's cousin, called me to set up an audition. We talked for several minutes and I was SO impressed with how on-the-ball and studied he was. Sometimes with independents you get lots of people who don't know what they're doing, but Josh was totally on top of things which is another reason I did the film. When I got through with the audition, I noticed Linda McDonald-Hite, who is the screen writer, was in tears. Before I auditioned, Linda had told me how specific of an idea she had for this charater, so when I saw her moved to tears I felt pretty good about things. Josh called me on my way home, which had never happened to me before, and said the part was mine if I wanted it. Of course I said yes, and the rest is history.
What do you expect to happen with the film?
It premiered at the LDS Film Festival and got great reviews. I expect it to go to several more film festivals and to possibly air on the History or Discovery Channel. Josh (and myself) would really like to see it done with a Hollywood budget, so he is not too anxious to sell it just yet. He wants to retain the rights for the occasion that the opportunity presents itself in the near future. As I mentioned, the story is fantastic.
I understand you spent quite a bit of time with a capella choirs. Tell us about that.
A Cappella was fun. It was the elite choir at the University of Utah when I was a student there and I can attest to how fun it is to sing with such a talented group of people. I had a few solos in concerts as well. It was a privilege to sing with them.
What’s next for your career?
The title role in Ron Howard's next film I hope! I recently landed a job with the Discovery Channel. It is a documentary movie, directed by Nick Copus, about two brothers who went hiking down in Chute Canyon in the late winter and one of them fell and shattered his leg. The other brother, Jeremy (who I portray in the film), tries to make it out of the canyon in time to get help that can save his now immobile brother's life. It is an inspiring story about how they both survived seemingly impossible odds and I expect it to air this year sometime.
For music, I continue to book performances here in the valley and I have been working with a band as of late that I anticipate doing a lot of shows with.
Future looks exciting!
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