Exclusive Interview with DON

Born and raised in Michigan, Donovan Kelley is also known as Don. Being 27 years old now, he started making music when he was only 8 years old. Since then, he has experienced many musical phases and changes and has created his own distinctive sound. To discover this sound of his own, he has traveled a long way. He has played in a number of bands, both metal and acoustic. His love for music and the fact that he will never give up remain constant throughout his career, despite the fact that his sound has undergone numerous changes.

‘Best I Ever Had’ is a grim, moody, alternative rock/hip-hop song with a depressing tone. This song is about going through a breakup and not knowing how to properly process your emotions or what to do next. Doubt, excessive analysis, nostalgia, and the conviction that they were the best experiences you’ve ever had. The vocals’ sadness and rage can be heard, and the hard-hitting drums and guitars add an aggressive yet depressing tone. Check out the song and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

DON: I grew up and currently still reside in Howell, Michigan. It’s a small town that’s about an hour away from Detroit. When I was in 6th grade my grandma bought me the first Guitar Hero for PS2 and I fell in love with it. It sparked an interest in learning guitar, which later transitioned into learning the piano and singing/songwriting. Throughtout my music career I’ve been in countless metalcore, death metal and acoustic/pop projects before finding my love for making hip-hop music.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

DON: Aside from watching YouTube tutorials on mixing and mastering, I am completely self taught!

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘DON’?

DON: The very first band I was heavily obsessed with was Avenged Sevenfold back in 7th grade. They inspired me to continue pursuing music when I was younger. As I’ve gotten older my main inspirations have been all over the place. Mid 2000’s alternative music like Silverstein, Chiodos, New Found Glory, Never Shout Never, and The Spill Canvas. Current music artists that inspire me consist of Logic, Aries, Drippin So Pretty, lil aaron, Trippie Redd, Big Sean, Post Malone and my best friend Grant Borland. And finally video game soundtracks like Sonic, Dark Cloud 1 and 2, Persona 5, Kingdom Hearts, Life is Strange and Final Fantasy X. (The Dark Cloud 1 soundtrack has no right slapping that hard lol)

I decided on the name Don because it’s my real name. I wanted something simple, original and something that is meaningful to me. It’s a name that I won’t look back on and think “why the hell did I choose that for a stage name?”

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

DON: Defiantly my lyrics are a key element in my opinion. I’m not afraid to wear my heart on my sleeve and say what I truly feel. I talk about anything and everything that’s going on in my personal life. From a distance people will listen and assume “oh another auto-tune, no talent, hip-hop artist” but if they listen a bit closer they can hear how versatile and open I am with my lyrics, melody and flow. I take inspiration from a bunch of artists but I feel like I’ve molded myself into a sound that I can proudly say is my own.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?

DON:

When I was first starting out making music, I can’t lie, I was ripping off a lot of old acoustic/pop music haha. I wanted to be Never Shout Never, Chase Coy and Owl City so badly that I would write the same types of chord progressions and emulate their lyrics to try and relate it to my own life. After years of struggling to find my own sound I’m very happy with what I’ve shaped my music into. Everybody has to start somewhere and I wouldn’t take back a single thing because it helped me learn and move me forward to the artist I am today.

6. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?

DON:

Aside from generally positive reception, I’ve had a few people tell me that my music is embarrassing or that it’s trash. I honestly laugh at these comments because no matter what you do people will always have something to say about it. It gives me more drive to continue going as hard as possible and create the best music I can. Nobody has ever erected a statue of a critic.

7. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

DON:

I have a very specific message when I’m writing a new track and I hope that people can understand my perspecitive on where I’m coming from, but if they translate it into their own meaning that’s perfectly fine. Music is subjective so if anybody listens to my music and has their own interpretation of it, I’m cool with that!

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

DON:

Lately I’ve been collaborating with my homie Sky Beats (Skylar Ison). He’ll ask what kind of style I’m going for and in a few days he’ll send me a beat pack and I’ll choose which ones I’m vibing with the most. Then I’ll open up my DAW, import the instrumental and freestyle over it. From there I’ll listen back to it repeatedly and fill in the lyrics on my phone and flesh out what will end up being the final version. Sometimes I’ll get ideas while I’m at work or when I’m out running errands and implement them into what tracks I’m working on. I like to approach tracks differently each day. Sometimes I’ll get a couple drinks in me and hit the record button and see where it takes me. There’s no specific way I record, just whatever I’m feeling that night!

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

DON: Early on in my music career it was the fear of rejection or negative reception to the music I release. Nowadays it’s the fear of not releasing enough music in an effective way. The world moves so fast today with social media and I don’t want to release a track I poured my heart and soul into just for it to fall into a graveyard of music that’ll never be listened to.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

DON: Honestly I am very proud of everything I have accumulated today in terms of studio equipment, mixing and recording knowledge and an awesome team of people/friends that support and ride for me. I couldn’t be more happy with what I’ve accomplished so far and I plan on going even harder in 2023. I have no plans on ever slowing down!

I also wanted to say thank you for the incredible interview and I want to thank everybody for rocking with me so far! It can only go up from here! My name is Don and thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day/night wherever you are!