We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Destinee Alera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Destinee, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think success is defined in a lot of different ways, and it’s really dependent on individuality. On a grand scale, I think success is equated to having a lot of money, being widely recognized in your field or profession, and just the optics of what an established person looks like. For a creative, and specifically for me, I think success evolves as you continue to grow as an artist. Right now, I feel successful when I play a strong show, or making a meaningful connection through music, or completing a project I’ve been mulling over. Looking to things to come, I’d feel successful if in a year from now I can look back and say I achieved some goals I’ve set, and have grown from the place I was in.

Destinee, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m an OC/LA based artist, born and raised in the Bay Area. Overall I’m a singer-songwriter, but I also dance, act, and play piano. Music has been a piece of my life since the womb, when (as my parents say) I would respond to music being played or sung to my mom’s belly. I’ve always loved to sing, and connect with people through such a beautiful form of expression, and I’m really thankful to both my parents who have always cultivated that in me. I’m most proud of getting myself to this point, no label, no huge setbacks yet. I’ve been blessed to do some really amazing things thus far, with dreams of going bigger, but I don’t take it for granted that so many people have either given up by this point, or have never even been given the chance to pursue it.

I sit here today feeling dedicated to creating a life of performing and music. And holding to authenticity and connection to achieve goals. That’s one of the most important factors for me, genuine relationships and genuine music.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’ve said it before but the most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is just being free to express yourself, to learn from the people around you, and to create things that can remain stamped in time. Art and music are such powerful love languages, universal languages. I think of music as one of the main fabrics that connect all humans. Even if we listen to different things, feel it in different ways, it’s recognized by everyone. Being an artist is such a gift because you’re as much a consumer of music and art as you are the maker. And it basically gives you free rein to try new things, be blunt, be sad, fail, or just storyboard this journey of life for yourself, and maybe someone else. I’ll never take it for granted, and anyone who has that feeling should chase its for as long as possible.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I think I’ve always known that there are so many resources out there for creatives, but I moreso wish younger me realized that you can be your own resource. It’s not always about finding someone else to do things for you, or seeing how someone else is getting to do things and wanting to do the same. Being on my own path means not everything will work universally, and that’s okay. Trusting my own voice is just as important, so I try and carry that with me in everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @destineealera
• Soundcloud: @destineealera
• Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/destineealera

Image Credits

image 1: Vanessa Vuong
image 3: Ashley Crichton
image 4: Vanessa Vuong