Meet Dakota Perez | Musician

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dakota Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dakota, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been an artistic person. Growing up I was in band, orchestra, choir, and theater productions and these places are where I began to thrive and learn about who I am. I learned discipline and commitment through these experiences that have served me well in all of my endeavors.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In the heart of the United States, I grew up as a queer kid in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There were plenty of times where this proved to be difficult socially but I learned how to stand up for myself and my peers quickly. Being raised by a single mother for most of my life, we were just getting by most of the time. I leaned to music to express my thoughts and emotions through times of struggle. Music allows me to encapsulate all of the nuances of life in a short three or four minutes. I moved to Colorado in 2018 where I began to make music despite having always been a musician. I took classes on music production and theory while earning my degree in marketing. I thrive in change and this time in Colorado has been great for me personally and professionally as I’ve released all of my music since being here. There is always more to learn and improve on but I am so proud of where I am now given the obstacles in place. Overall, my music is a reflection of my experiences and relationships as a queer person in the Midwest.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I say let’s enjoy some coffee, nature, and a night out! I love Thump Genuine Coffee and a walk around Cheesman Park. It’s so fun to watch all of the dogs run and people hanging out in the park during nice days. Hammocking is a go to for me and my friends too so that’s a must! For a night out, I’m taking my friends to Charlie’s or Tracks for a good drag show.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
While I’ve been a musician for the majority of my life, I have also been a student. I recently graduated with my Bachelor’s degree thanks to the support I received from Stephen Loveless, Dan Maxey, Tobias Guzmán, and many others. These folks showed me what it means to be a leader in a caring, impactful, and transformational way by example. They encouraged me to do everything I want to personally and professionally from working on my music to pursuing my Master’s degree. The fostering of my passion for music came first and foremost from my mother who was always singing in the car and around the house. She was at everything from my coffee shop gigs in high school to my band concerts. To these people, I say thank you and know that if you weren’t specifically named, your impact on my life is still there!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_dakota_perez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakotaperez/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DakotaPerezMusic

Other: https://linktr.ee/dakotaperez https://music.apple.com/us/artist/dakota-perez/1477954458 https://open.spotify.com/artist/2CN9GNUinqgfakLawY6SU3?si=-94KS6c2T1Cc4h66pSWb3Q

Image Credits
Nya Robinson, Erik Branom