The evolution of Dario

The competition to become the next Kelly Clarkson or Chris Daughtry these days takes a lot more than just a good voice. While many up and coming singers are getting their start on shows like The Voice and American Idol, to name a few, there are some that are doing it the old fashioned way.

Pop singer Dario is one of them. He got his start at a Search for Stardom convention, and was invited to audition for a handful of independent record labels. Those auditions lead to tours with groups like Destiny’s Child and KC & Jojo and several other top performers. He has headlined three international tours, graced the covers of more than 40 music and lifestyle magazines, made appearances on the red carpet for The Grammy’s and The American Music Awards, released five albums and even starred in his own reality show, Dario Undiscovered.

His highly anticipated sixth album titled Evolution will hit stores nationwide April 29; this is followed by the release of a music video for the title track, and an upcoming multi-city tour including stops in San Diego.

What fans can expect with Evolution is a very personal album.

“This is the most personal album of my career,” Dario said. “I’ve never been so scared and excited to put out an album in my life! I feel like my fans are actually going to meet the real me this time, and that’s scary.”

Dario says his new album is all about “love and the loss of it, as well as sex and how bad you want it, feeling insecure and wanting to stop chasing perfection.” He claims that all of that is a part of his evolution as an artist and as a human being.

“I can’t wait for everyone to hear it,” he added. “I feel like I’ve been working on it for so long; we started production in August 2013, so when it hits the stores and iTunes April 29 I will be so happy!”

Dario makes it very clear that this album was made without a studio’s heavy hand on what he should do, or what they thought his fans wanted.

One of the things I love about being an independent recording artist,” he confided, “[is] I make all the decisions about where I want to go creatively. In the past when I hired advisers to help me with my major releases, there was a creative disconnect. There were too many cooks in the kitchen. Now it’s my decision as to what I want to do as an artist.”

Dario also says that he’s very lucky because he does have creative control over his career. However, he also knows he has to be careful and make the right choices so his projects are commercially successful.

In the past, I hired a team of experts to help me to make a hit record,” he said, “but I compromised my artistic integrity by doing so. I forgot who I was and what I wanted to say, and instead I allowed others to tell me what to say and do. I never want to do that again! This time, I’ve decided to not make any apologies for who I am or what I feel.”

Making albums and tour life is what Dario’s life is all about these days, so much so that when asked if he’s ever had any desire to do something else, like a Broadway musical, the singer was admittedly caught off guard.

“I’ve [actually] never thought of doing Broadway before!” he confessed. “But if I were to ever get the opportunity, I think I would like to do Rent. I love the story, probably because at one point in my life I lived it. Being an artist and moving to a big city to chase your dreams while struggling to make ends meet, and simply to survive, is never easy. But it was definitely worth it. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my beginnings.”

While his new album Evolution hits stores and iTunes April 29, Dario’s schedule won’t be slowing down any time soon. He’s now in the process of solidifying tour dates for 2014.

“We’re currently booking the tour and should have most of the dates solidified by March,” Dario said. “We’re looking at 30 to 40 dates. The problem is always deciding which cities to perform in – which is a good problem to have. I know I’m definitely going to do Milwaukee, Albuquerque and Pittsburgh. I think San Diego is on the list, so I’d better see all of you there!”

Even though he has little free time, when he does have time off Dario enjoys plain old-fashioned catching up on, you guessed it, sleep.

“I don’t want anyone to think I’m complaining,” he admitted. “I’m very fortunate to have this career and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But it is very grueling, and I’m always on the go. So whenever I get a day off, I just want to relax in bed with the TV on and sleep!”

As busy as he is, Dario admits that he’s thrilled for the life he has.

“I’m humbled and extremely grateful,” he said. “When I was young I wanted to be a singer and dreamed of one day having the opportunity to do half of what I’ve done. I wake up every day and thank God for giving me the strength and determination to follow through with all my blessings. My first CD came out April 2004 and my sixth this April. It’s been a decade and I still have to pinch myself to prove that this is my life.”

Never one to rest on past achievements Dario is committed to giving back to the community. He works with numerous foundations that educate, research and fight to cure HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and sickle cell anemia. His favorite foundation is Building Futures Inc. (BFI), where he serves as a passionate mentor to struggling children and young adults in Los Angeles, helping them to envision their dreams and work to make them come true.

For more information on Dario and to check out forthcoming tour dates visit: darioonline.com