Daily Inspiration: Meet Dorian Lion

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorian Lion.

Hi Dorian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
For my beginning with music, it all starts back at my grandmother’s house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. By being my older brother and cousins’ shadow on each visit, I fell into whatever musical world they knew. I was an early fan of Sade, N.E.R.D., Nas, and others because of those moments. I’d even steal the burnt CDs they made because I was hooked on the sounds (sorry not sorry lol). From 3rd grade onward, I was involved in band or choir, with my main instruments being percussion, like snare drum, bass drum, xylophone, etc. Funny enough, the one instrument in the percussion family I hadn’t tried was the piano. The moment I became familiar, we were inseparable. In 9th grade, piano became my main instrument and by this time, music for sure became my life as I searched for my place within it creatively. Through countless spins of The Isley Brothers, The Neptunes, and Stevie Wonder, their sounds revealed my purpose in creating and connecting through music. Following that passion, I applied to Georgia State’s School of Music to pursue a Music Technology degree. After a brave piano audition, I was accepted and was pushed into the realms of classical music, audio engineering, and music production. Being thrown into this new world of music was scary but exciting. Eventually, I needed an internship for a credit and discovered Bravo Ocean Studios during my search. Ironically, their musical accolades didn’t draw me in; it was the concrete floors and loft vibes. The studio just looked and felt different, and that aligned with me. Once I started my internship, the studio became my creative playground to explore different mediums and styles. Through my diligence, I was eventually offered the Studio Manager position but had accepted an offer elsewhere. However, the offer came back around a second time with a different air to it. I then realized that opportunities like this don’t come around twice. After I accepted the opportunity, I was now thrown into a new world of music, with high-end projects, real people, and industry demands. I embraced this new challenge head on and sharpened all of my skillsets. Furthermore, I saw a way to create my own musical world within it. From there, the rest is history, with original music, curated event series, collaborations, and plenty of cool projects that I’ve been honored to be a part of.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
lol…nah. My journey has been one for the books honestly, but so worth it. My main struggles centered around balance. I wasn’t good at that at first. I dived into so many lanes like podcasting, music production, curating events, vocal lessons, you name it. And this would be my lifestyle from my time at Georgia State through running Bravo Ocean. In efforts to push myself forward, I ended up pushing my body past its limits. The ambition was honest for sure, but a bit overwhelming. Those moments showed me what my blindspots were physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s so easy to get lost in the moment. However, it’s some of the best character building ever as it gave me more insight on who I am, what I need, and how I want to be.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
*Is it possible to combine “Professional and Artist / Creative? Professional can represent my experience running Bravo Ocean Studios whereas my music and creative works can stand on its own. Just want to make sure I’m able to honor the distinctions between the two so the narrative of how they intertwine makes sense.

My music is the most honest reflection of who I am. Music is the way I communicate to the world. I express myself in it through singing, songwriting, producing, composing, and arranging. A unique aspect of my sound is the ethereal, space-like elements and atmosphere. I’ve always loved space, how deep, vast, and multifaceted it can be. For some reason I’m connected to that musically. It’s like space sends certain frequencies through the music. It’s coded in each chord progression, transcribed through each key, with its voice being either a synth, electric piano, whatever it needs to be. As of late, I’ve released 4 songs as a solo artist, consisting of forevermore, 813tampabae, luv changes, and surrounded. I remember someone telling me “I didn’t know you make music!” Naturally I was like “Bruh what?” but I understood on a deeper level. I took that moment as a challenge to make sure people heard me. And not just through the production as people already knew from previous collaborations, but my literal voice. And furthermore, my perspective, personality, all that. It felt good to take the leap, now I can’t stop. I want to bring whoever listens into my world when they dive in. My sound is one of one, I have something to say, and I want everyone to experience it.

Visual content moves me in the same way. All of the artwork for the album and singles covers contain intentional and candid moments. A visual preview if you will of what’s to come sonically. It’s fun executing the idea so that the impact on the listener is felt. Of course you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but these album covers? Yeah, live with it so it can create the atmosphere. My minimalist and candid approach sets the tone for the experience, for what is. Sometimes just a picture of the skies will tell you everything you need to know about the song. From music videos to the artwork, creative directing the looks, writing scenes, set designing, its all an extension of me painting the perfect picture.

Creating experiences for people is an extension of me as well. I started an event series with my childhood friend called Palate Series as an alternative to the nightlife in Atlanta. We love a good Atlanta night, but there’s more on the horizon to explore. The goal was to cultivate mindful moments that bring the rising talents in the arts, tech, and entrepreneurial spaces together for a novel experience. We were able to execute several types of programming, including listening sessions, album release parties, artist showcases, panels, networking mixers, and team building sessions. I’ve even used this platform to perform my debut project BSIDES U for my first live performance ever. It’s an honor to curate dope moments for people to connect and share their gifts and knowledge with others.

If anything, I’m probably most known as the Studio Manager of Bravo Ocean Studios. Running the business with a fine tooth comb has been my mode from the start. As a leader, I’m engaged in all levels, from developing client relationships across the industry, project managing/coordinating podcasts, albums, events, developing talent in-house, the whole nine yards. I’ve literally just been a sponge of everything my entire time here. There’s so much input within my day-to-day, I’m constantly being refined on industry trends, my operations skillset, and being a creative problem solver. I’m here to bring any idea to life and putting my best foot forward is understood at this point. And with all of the creative lanes I naturally follow, what better place to learn, apply, and expose these lanes than the best studio in the city? Bravo Ocean isn’t just my studio, but my creative playground. I’m always happy to get down in the sandbox.

I’m proud of my journey thus far. I’ve never had the perfect plan. There were moments when I stood still, but I kept going. Eventually, the ideas in my mind and heart saw the light of day. I can never take that for granted. Now it’s time to do more.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always active and curious. Definitely a goofball and a little wild at times but all from a good place. My nickname was “Bamm-Bamm” coming up, after the toddler on The Flintstones who was tearing up everything. That was me, tearing up everything but with a smile. My first love was basketball so that was pretty major for my identity before music took over. I have to say I’ve always been a sponge though. I would listen to all of the music my parents, big brother, and relatives would have around. Constantly looking for CD collections to read the liner notes, studying the CD itself, those were like encyclopedias to me. And I loved school as it came naturally to me. I often walked a fine line of being the brightest pupil and the class clown, but hey, the kid just wanted to have fun. I’ve always been in tune with my internal compass. When people went right, I’d go left and stay there. If there was a popular artist out that everyone listened to, I’d do my research to find the next sound out there. When my classmates started following certain fashion trends, I started dressing like Fonzworth Bentley lol. I’ve always been one to go against the grain, bringing out something different than what’s already there. That energy, the blend of rebellion, curiosity, and untapped confidence showed the inklings of who I am now, way back then.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/dorianlion222
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorianlion/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiA_4XJiaoALXxF_789-t9A

Image Credits
Brooky Coon