Review Fix Exclusive: Darro Chea Talks ‘Songs of Recovery’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Darro Chea, who lets us know all about his origin in music, creative process and new video for “You’re Not Insane.”

Bio:

To say Darro Chea, aka alt/rock songwriter/guitarist,Darro,has faced an uphill battle would be an understatement.  Three days after returning to the U.S. from grad school abroad, the Asian American musician and producer was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The rehabilitation process sent him back to square one, having to learn to speak, chew, and sing all over again. Telling his story through music, Darro was featured on Billboard for his video, “You’re Not Insane,” and continues to share more music based on his experiences, including his upcoming full-length album, Songs of Recovery.

Born from the hardships of his brain tumor, Songs Of Recovery is a set of originals that address Darro’s journey in powerful, straightforward language that anyone can relate to.  Against all odds, he’s come through his ordeal with his sense of self intact.

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Darro Chea: As cliche as it sounds, I’ve been around music my whole life. My dad used to play in a Cambodian Wedding band and I used to remember sitting at the top of the basement steps listening to them while they practiced.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Chea: For writing songs, I usually noodle around on the guitar until I accidentally play or hear something that captivates me. It has to be like a really strong riff or lick that I can’t get out of my head. And once that happens, I mess around with it until I can hear where it will go, or what will happen to arrive at that point.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Chea: I’d have to say people. People are capable of such amazing feats…also bad ones too. But that’s the interesting thing, a person’s capacity to do so much good or bad is an amazing source of inspiration for art.

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Chea: It depends on the day you ask me. Some days it means everything in the world to me. Other days it means a mountain of anxiety and work. More often than not it leans to the “everything” side though.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Chea: I would describe it as “something you just might like, so give it a try.”

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Chea: I try to play my live shows differently from my studio songs by adding a lot more in the songs. There’s more thought and transition between the songs, more guitar solos, and a lot more storytelling on stage.

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Chea: In 2016 I had this gruesome double jaw surgery, and it was quite honestly the most traumatic medical experience I think I’ve ever had. They had to break my jaw into 6 pieces to properly fit everything.

Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of 2020?

Chea: To not get/spread COVID would be swell.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Chea: We have a new music video coming out and then my album, Songs of Recovery will be out on 11/13 So stay tuned.