"We kind of just make music that we enjoy" - Darling. on Brotherhood, and the Whimsical World of 'It's A Party Darling.'
The Mid-Michigan brothers behind Darling. talk DIY recording, TikTok momentum, retro influences, live-show dreams, and why making music should always feel real.
In an era of viral hooks and fleeting trends, brothers Octavian and Phoenix Darling are playing a different game. The Mid-Michigan duo behind Darling. capture a vibe they describe as a "birthday party in an apartment living room".
Fresh off the release of their sophomore EP, It's A Party Darling., the brothers are proving that home-studio limitations are no match for authentic intention. With five tracks of retro-infused indie rock that are already gaining significant traction on TikTok, the duo is preparing to step out from behind the screen and onto the stage.
We talked to Octavian and Phoenix about their DIY philosophy, their 60s influences, their dreams of headlining Red Rocks and why being brothers is their ultimate creative superpower.
Eugenia Roditis, Musicngear: You describe Darling. as built on “authentic energy.” That phrase can mean a lot of things in today's music landscape. What does authentic energy actually look like inside your creative process and how do you protect it when trends move so fast?
Authentic energy for us looks like picking up our instruments and just playing whatever until something sticks and it feels right. You feel the connection.
We don’t really have to protect that process from trends. Trends don't even come into our minds because we kind of just make music that we enjoy and has real energy and other people can feel that energy and they tend to like our music too.
Musicngear: Being brothers adds a different chemistry than most bands ever get to experience. What's one strength that comes naturally because you're family, and one challenge that comes with working so closely as siblings?
You're right, being brothers does add a different level of chemistry. We've been together our entire lives, so connecting when we are playing music and just playing something until it works, it comes very naturally.
And I'd say the only challenge is probably just like time management, but you'd have that with any band members. We don't really have typical sibling conflicts; we tend to be on the same page and work together very well.
Often, it feels as if we can read each other's thoughts, which obviously works well when connecting through music.
Musicngear: "It’s A Party Darling." blends indie rock with retro 60s influence while dealing with romance, liminality, and nostalgia. If the EP were a physical place someone could walk into, what would it look, smell, and feel like?
If It’s A Party Darling. EP was a place you could go to, it'd definitely be a birthday party in my apartment living room. Um, it’d smell like fairy dust and it’d feel nostalgic.
Musicngear: You recorded the project in your home studio. What gear, instruments, pedals, microphones, or recording tools became essential to shaping the sound of this EP?
Yes, we did record the EP from our home studio. One of the most essential pieces of equipment was Phoenix's Wildcat guitar. It has strong pickups and it adds to that hitting sound that you hear at the start of Juliet Romeo. It also just helps with the whole whimsical feel of the EP.
Musicngear: Every rising act hits walls that people don't see from the outside. What have been the biggest obstacles you've had to overcome so far as a band, and what advice would you give artists currently facing those same struggles?
I’d say the biggest wall we’ve hit just behind the scenes was just various equipment issues. We've never had a problem with creating songs, or with having great energy, or writer's block, or anything like that. But just being limited by equipment. We are getting better equipment all the time, and that contributes to our continually improving sound.
And I’d say that the best advice I’d give to other artists is again, just with the subpar equipment, just create the best thing you possibly can. We have always done the best we can with what we have, and it gets better all the time.
Musicngear: What's your take on the role of music blogs today, and how do you see it evolving, especially with platforms like SubmitHub, Groover, Musosoup, and Wallstream that connect artists with curators and writers?
I think music blogs are essential, especially for new artists. It could be a wonderful way for somebody to discover a new artist. I can't really say how it will evolve, but I can't imagine it being anything but good.
Musicngear: You mentioned gaining traction on TikTok, which can be a launchpad but also a noisy space. What are your real goals for this new release cycle: streams, live bookings, blog coverage, building a loyal fanbase, or something entirely different?
Yes, TikTok has helped promote all of our music from the beginning. I'd say most of our streams have come from TikTok.
And the main goal for this release has just been all of the above, just outreach in general, performing, streams. We did take an interest in live performing with the release of this EP and we're headed towards that now.
Musicngear: If you could headline one show anywhere in the world, on any stage, with any lineup, even fictional or from another era, what would it look like? No rules.
If I could headline one show, it would be at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. We have visited there before, and were inspired by the energy of the place.
For the band we'd want to play with, we will go with fiction. Ideally, we’d want to perform with the Beatles. Also, we'd love to perform with Robby Krieger, the guitarist from the Doors. He composed some of our favorites, especially on The Soft Parade.
Musicngear: Looking ahead, what's next for Darling.?
What's next for Darling, right now, is focusing on performing live. We want to get really into the feel of that and experience the energy of live music and the audience. Then creating more music, and then just getting bigger, expanding our outreach, and playing to a wider audience.
Connect with Darling.
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About Eugenia Roditis
Eugenia's passion for music was ignited from an early age as she grew up in a family of musicians. She loves attending concerts and festivals, while constantly seeking fresh and exciting new artists across diverse genres. Eugenia joined the MusicnGear team in 2012.
Contact Eugenia Roditis at eugenia.roditis@kinkl.com
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