We had the good fortune of connecting with Jeff Azar and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jeff, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Taking risks has had some of the biggest impacts on my life and career. While there is so much to be said for daily routines and being consistent and calculated, sometimes putting myself out there in a way I’m not 100% comfortable with has led to some of the greatest connections and lessons in my life and music career.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Demi the Daredevil has gone through many ups and downs; I actually went from being the drummer to being the lead singer and songwriter after the original frontman Jovan Ortiz suddenly passed away. With this loss and my own mental health struggles as a catalyst, I reimagined the band’s identity into a blend of theatrical alt-pop, haunting soundscapes, and dark introspective lyrics, creating anthems for other misfits who feel lost, misunderstood, and are searching for their unique voices. Demi has now garnered over 13 million Spotify streams, over 800 fan art pieces from the “Devilins,” and has been featured on Buzzfeed, Emo Nite LA, Relix Magazine, Punk Rock Museum Vegas, CBS, American Songwriter Top 100, BMI Texas Top 10, and idobi Radio. The main messages I’d want people to hear are: keep going, and you’re not alone.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston has some amazing food, culture, and people. I’d definitely recommend The Rothko Chapel, Menil Collection, and Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many books that have helped me! “Touched with Fire” had a huge impact on me. It’s By a clinical psychologist Kay Redfield Jamison who collected the thoughts of great historical people who had bipolar disorder. I was diagnosed with that a while back, so it really helped me accept the pain and strife that comes with it, and channel it for the best.
Website: https://demithedaredevil.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/demithedaredevil
Facebook: https://facebook.com/demithedaredevil
Youtube: https://youtube.com/demithedaredevil
Image Credits
Madeleine Hanlon Azar