Today we’d like to introduce you to Desire.
Hi Desire, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Everything in my life has been a natural progression. My family has always been in music, so I’ve been immersed in it since I was in the womb. My mom is a visual artist and avid student of life, and so am I. Growing up doing visual arts and crafts also laid a foundation for me to create aesthetics tied to the music I make.
I went from drawing portraits of celebrities as a kid to being my makeup artist, and designing clothes in notebooks to styling unique looks for live shows. Pianos have been put in front of me since I was a toddler (thanks again to my family), so I’ve been playing on and off my whole life. When a guitar arrived at my house, that was a big turning point. I picked it up and never put it down. I loved playing guitar and singing, and the reason I ended up on stage was because I wanted to share that with everybody. That desire is always a driving force for me. My desire to create and share what I create is who I am.
I’ve always written songs, kind of unconsciously. It’s like my natural reaction to life events. I think songs are a gift from another realm. I say it’s from my spirit, but I think it’s all energy being received, exchanged, repurposed, and amalgamated. My spirit is just like the phone line, and it’s my job to take the call and share the message. The more I lean into my natural abilities, the more I flourish.
One of my saving graces is that I observe patterns in my life and adapt accordingly. I always come back to creating-writing, music, drawing, and fashion. I can’t sustain other endeavors- I burn out. But with music and art, as long as I engage healthfully and with integrity, I always succeed. That is my version of success. I’ve been in the next natural stage of my evolution for a while now: becoming a great recording and performing artist.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working a regular job while trying to pursue music was the hardest struggle for me. That alone taught me the meaning of never giving up. Before the pandemic, I managed to work full time and build my music career. Once COVID hit, it was a downhill slide trying to balance both. I got to a point where my music was on the back burner, and I made covers just to keep my dream alive. I was mentally in a bad place. By the end of 2022 I’d had enough, and I decided to put myself first and quit working in restaurants to pursue music. I had no idea how I was going to make it, but I’m here. It was the best decision I ever made. I have the rest of my life to figure out how to earn money, but being free to build my dream is my inner peace. I’m more determined than ever to make it happen.
Being hard on myself was also something that held me back. Now I’m learning to go with the flow while moving forward in alignment with my goals and values. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to be perfect or on trend. Now I think, who cares? What truly matters? Inner peace, love. Be okay with being yourself; that’s how we win.
All struggles and failures I face make me better, because I learn and grow through those experiences.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional Drake cover artist. That’s only kind of a joke; I’ve been doing Drake covers for over 10 years. Overall, I’m an artist and I specialize in singing and playing rhythm guitar, songwriting, and live performances. I’m also a writer, makeup artist, stylist, and entrepreneur.
A lot of people know me for the covers I post on social media, but I’m releasing more original music now. I just dropped an album and a single on Bandcamp to get back in the groove (find it via my social media-@zen_desire everywhere). I’m most proud of the fact that I’m still here. A lot of people fall out of the race to their dreams, get sidetracked, and focused on the wrong things.
To still be here, passionate as ever, building on the vision I had at 8 years old- that’s an accomplishment. What sets me apart from others? I still don’t know how to answer this question. I’d say keep watching and find out.
Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Yes! I wouldn’t be here without a lot of help from great mentors. First, be open-minded. To be mentored, you need to be coachable, resourceful, and take action. Second, just ask. I find that more often than not, people are happy to share their experiences and advice. Third, bring value to the table. Figure out what you can offer someone you want to mentor you.
Mentors already have a lot on their plate, and time constraints, so it’s helpful when you have something to offer (not that it’s always necessary). They’ll appreciate your willingness to help.
When it comes to networking, the same things apply. It’s just like they always say: get around people who are doing what you want to be doing. And then talk to them; they’re people too. Be present during conversations, and try to listen more than you talk. Lastly: always be genuine, and always be kind.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/zen_desire?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serena.desire.37?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@zen_desire
- Other: https://linktr.ee/zen_desire
Image Credits
Zach Wagner, James Muhammad, Javier Molina, Kasia Mitchell, and Zen Desire
