Today we’d like to introduce you to Dudas Clancy.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
“Is this really what you want to do?” — that’s all I ever heard. Growing up in a tight-knit, working class neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side, parting ways with your home never seemed to be an option. For some, that works. As for me, I had other plans. Originally centering my career on health and fitness, completing two semesters at Illinois State University, I had made the decision to not only transfer schools but to restructure my whole life. Breaking down the reasons that lead me to this decision is simple, it’s where my heart lies. After being gifted a beautiful acoustic guitar during my time at Illinois State, I never looked back. For the next three years, I studied Audio Arts and Acoustics at Columbia College Chicago, graduating, Class of 2013, with a Bachelors Degree ambitiously ready to propel to the next level.
Shortly after graduating, I was accepted into the Internship Program at the legendary Chicago Recording Company — if I could hit a backflip, this would have been the appropriate moment to do so — I was ecstatic. Before internship day one, I affirmed myself of my goals, and I reminded myself that I was here for a reason. The day to begin the program arrived, and the nerves were gigantically overwhelming, but I marched on through those doors. Fast forwarding, I concluded my internship and proceeded onto the next level at “CRC”. I became a crew member. Throughout the programs, I learned and acquired a substantial amount of skills, tips, and knowledge. However, I gained something even more special amid my time at the studio — a connection leading to an unbreakable bond. While being a crew member, I was presented with a music opportunity in Orlando, FL, which meant I had to make the hardest decision of my life. I had to choose between comfortability, a long-term relationship, and what others wanted me to pursue – or – what my heart says, my life’s purpose, and go. My choice — I left…twice.
In May of 2016, I set off to Florida, holding onto that relationship, holding onto my passion. Within the next eight months, I packed my things and moved back home. I reverted to the normalcy, the security, and that place to settle. I began working as a laborer in a lumberyard, although still making music everyday, dedicating my life to what was fulfilling to others. In my typical nature, l gave this job everything I had, but I had left everyday wanting to return to Florida. About nine months later, I was faced with the second hardest decision of my life — going back to Florida. The conversations this time were considerably more difficult, yet even more necessary, but I had to go. This brings us August of 2017, I made the decision to pack what I owned, to input my new address, and continue my journey. I took comfortability, stagnancy, normalcy, and what I knew and replaced it with vulnerability, faith, and a no other option mindset.
From following my heart, the last four years have been the greatest years of my life. It has been 15 years in the making, and as I continue to make countless beats, continue to write, continue to study, continue to experience, I found myself with an opportunity to finally scratch the surface of that dream that I’ve been retaining. Since releasing four music singles thus far in 2021, most recent, “Back and Fourth” I have found validation that dreams do come true. You have to be willing to let your heart take you places. I will continue to stand on integrity, truth, faith, love, and hope because one day it will all make sense. Much more music on the way.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but it has been the right road. Some of the challenges along the way have been being in and seeing relationships that lose their connections, patience, ebbs and flows of doubt, finding a balance of rest for the body and mind, and staying in the moment.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a musician/producer/artist, I think and move to beats and rhythms. I am grateful to be in a position to create music in hopes to connect with others. I have found a deep love for programming drums and setting the foundation for a track. When I sit down to begin something new, my goal is to always tell a story through drums and percussion and to make sure it’s different than the last. When I first released “The Boy”, I thought back to the many years leading up to that moment. I am proud of that song.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Music will always bring people together no matter the circumstances!
Contact Info:
- Email: letsconnectoneday@gmail.com
- Website: https://linktr.ee/dudasclancy
- Instagram: @dudasclancy
- Twitter: @dudasclancy
