Meet Derek Dare | Musician & Live Sound Engineer

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

Hi Derek, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
The most important decisions Ive made that’s contributed to my success in my own personal work life and my band is to genuinely have fun while working. Set boundries for yourself and to hold yourself accountable.

It’s way too easy to blame other people when things don’t work out so you may as well learn from your own short comings to improve and become better. Failure is the greatest teacher in improvement and it helps you break certain habits. It also makes work and stress alot more relatable when you’re learning from failure.

Remembering to have fun regardless of the work is very important to me. I’m a freelance live sound engineer at venues around the city and mixing live sound for bands can get a bit monotonous but I usually try to look at it from the perspective of my own band and try to have fun while mixing other people’s bands at concerts. The more comfortable you’re making the band feel on stage and time spent to making them sound good will translate in the bands performance and their fans.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of all the music I’ve made with Zoofunkyou so far. Also very proud of the new and upcoming music I’m creating with Zoofunkyou and my other band St. Marlboro. I’m not really sure what sets me apart from others but I’d like to say that I try to be as genuine as possible as I write lyrics or music with people.

As a part time Live Sound Engineer I think it’s fairly unique for me to understand the musicians on stage and I always try to see them from a musicians perspective before an engineers perspective. I’m grateful for all the bands I’ve gotten to work for and bridge the gap for the band and their fans.

I got to where I am professionally by just being kind and open. I make it a point to have meaningful conversations with the people I work with and to show mutual respect and admiration. By doing that in college courses, in music venues while interning, hanging out at venues seeing music, and working in recording studios I learned to just treat people like people to foster great connection and collaborative work. I think it’s important to see and treat people how you’d like to be treated because it makes a stronger connection and mutual effort for quality work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to Tank Noodle on Argyle or Chicago Ramen in des plains for food. I’d also take them to every music venue I have an in with. So I’d say Lincoln Hall, Schubas, Subterranean, Beat Kitchen, or Hey Nonny. Maybe we’d stray off the path see some cool shows at Metro, Fitzgeralds, or Thalia Hall. Maybe switch it up and hang out at The California Clipper, Smartbar, Coles Bar, Reed Local, or Montrose Saloon. Maybe head to Record Breakers or Val Hallas Records to search through crates of records. It’s kinda hard for me to not be in a place that’s centered around music.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Lincoln Hall Schubas Tavern
Big Audio
Subterranean
Tonic Room
North Shore Artists
Kickstand Productions Staff
Big Audio Staff
Out of Context Productions
Lincoln Hall Staff
Schubas Tavern Staff
Subterranean Staff
Beat Kitchen Staff
Hey Nonny Live Kitchen + Local Kitchen Staff
Kildare Studios
The Nick Langlois Photography
Dropped Beauty Records

Website: www.zoofunkyou.com

Instagram: @panderelict

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derek.dare.5?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Other: Zoofunkyou IG https://instagram.com/zoofunkyou?igshid=Yzg5MTU1MDY= St. Marlboro IG https://instagram.com/saintmarlboromusic?igshid=Yzg5MTU1MDY=

Image Credits
Photo Cred: Nick Langlois @thenicklanglois