Today we’d like to introduce you to Dito Delirium.
Hi Dito, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was always inspired by the music around me growing up – whether it was the way the trees swayed, the birds calling on a hazy summer afternoon, the rippling waves of the ocean, or the symphony orchestra I sat in. When you’re looking for the music, you realize that there’s expression and music everywhere.
Growing up, my brother would grab any instrument he could get his hands on, the guitar, the bass guitar, drums, even the clarinet when we were really little. I always admired his ability to communicate with others through music, and when the beginnings of another popular Houston band, “Turnaways” took place in my parents’ garage when my brother was in High School, I would always find an excuse to sit in and study the music – the connection – the feeling.
Flash forward to me joining the band in the 6th grade and picking up the trumpet, I instantly formed a deep connection with my instrument. I felt so inspired that all I wanted to do was express myself musically in any way I could. I picked up the guitar next, teaching myself how to change chord shapes while singing cheesy love songs to anyone who would listen. Then, one magical Christmas morning, my parents gifted me an electric piano. That was a game changer – I instantly took it and recorded my first cover with the piano and the USB microphone from the “Guitar Hero” game I stole from my brother. (I never really played that game because it creeped me out, ironically…).
I made some friends on Tumblr, as one does in the mid-2010s, and I learned to record and produce, making YouTube covers along the way. One of these covers won a “national” cover competition that a semi-viral indie artist on YouTube was putting on, and I got my single manager and was on Spotify/ iTunes by the ripe age of 14. (Don’t go looking for this – I took everything down because who wants to hear an out-of-tune 14-year-old come on their Spotify DJ?).
When it came to choosing what to study in college, it was an obvious choice for me to study music marketing at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I met lifelong musical colleagues, honed my craft, and learned I had a passion for live performance.
After college, the last year of which was tremendously impacted by COVID-19, I moved back to Houston and worked a corporate job for a couple of years. The money was great, I moved out of my parents’ house, and I remember taking my first wedding gig before I even had a functioning piano to play on (RIP that Christmas Day keyboard – it served its decade well).
I ultimately decided that corporate life just wasn’t really for me, and I wanted to find a career that could support my “real” life/ job, and I took a leap of faith, leaving and never looking back. I immediately wrote my first post-teenage single, “Party’s Over”, and shortly after another dancy-vibes song, “Deadly Disco” – both of which I perform live to this day!
On my own solo-artist journey, I was always looking for others to collaborate with. Someone who could add to my ideas and show me around the Houston music scene, I hadn’t been a part of in nearly ten years. Then along came Midnight Beverage. Or should I say – the “bevvies” as we jokingly called ourselves for the first couple of years I was in the band.
We toured around Houston, headlining notable venues such as White Oak Music Hall, Dan Electro’s, and even Warehouse Live Midtown (formerly RISE rooftop). Then, as all relationships in life do, we evolved. We both realised that our musical futures were not really aligned, so we decided to amicably go our separate ways. Now, I’m happy to say I’ve played on a bill with them, and they’re an integral part of the Houston scene as I am working to be. I learned so much from them about myself, about musical connections and intuitions, and I’m forever thankful.
We’re in the present day, and I am now the frontman of my self-titled group, “Dito Delirium”. We’ve been grinding the past year and have played festivals, shows everywhere, and built a community and experience along the way. We’ve got so so much coming – blending all of my classical influence from university with R&B, Jazz, Rock, Pop music, even some French vibes in there too.
I want to connect with others through the universal power of music. The wavelengths that transcend boundaries, transcend race, religion, or sexual orientation. I want to create an experience, a community, an ethereal state of delirium. If you haven’t checked us out live, come catch some yourself!
Special thanks to Voyage Houston for your interest in my story. I love you guys – keep doing the work that impacts. <3
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest struggles I faced was comparison. They always say “Comparison is the thief of joy”, and it took me 27 big years to learn the truth in this. I was constantly comparing my music to others – “Is this good enough to be on the radio?”, “Will my band like this?”, “What would Beyoncé do?”. This line of thinking really challenged my creativity and, though I did grow as an artist by keeping my level “Beyoncé” at all times… I really grew when I started letting myself create for myself. My songs like “Entropy” and “Running Against the Wind” (both unreleased… for now!) really showcase my abandon for the traditional “indie pop” standards and the growth in expression that I’ve been able to achieve.
Another big obstacle I had to overcome was letting myself be cringy online or at shows. I’ve self-labeled this year as “The Year of Cringe”. If you can’t be yourself, then who are you supposed to be? Sure, others may laugh at you or you may feel silly, but hey, you’re you. And that’s all that matters.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for my dramatic stage performances and expressive and moving musical styles. I believe my background being in high school band and on Tumblr really showed me something that ran against the mainstream sounds of the 2010s during my formative years, and I make music for people who don’t quite “fit in” to the world around them.
How do you think about luck?
I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in life. However, I view every day I get to make music as a lucky day. I’ve been able to put faith into my craft, and this, in turn, has inspired and motivated others to do the same. That’s the best gift anyone could ask for. Sure, I’ve caught a few lucky breaks here and there, but I believe that treating people with kindness and respect always helps you travel farther than pure luck alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ditodelirium.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ditodelirium
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ditodelirium
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/ditodelirium
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ditodelirium
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YJdUA2ufL1PlpxnhbbCqd
Image Credits
Wesley Dox
Jose Losorio
Nathan Collins
