Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Durrell Johnson of Mesa, AZ

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Durrell Johnson. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Durrell, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What battle are you avoiding?
Laundry.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! I’m Durrell Johnson, a music composer and stand up comedian. I have worked as a composer for the past 17 years scoring over a dozen different projects and have released 1 studio album, 2 film soundtracks and 3 EPs. I got into film scoring from my love of piano, I learned to play at an early age but really increased my efforts when I went to college. I studied music theory and composition and eventually went to LA to intern at movie studios and learn the craft firsthand. I have worked professionally with the Phoenix Film Festival as well as the ASU film festivals, scoring short films and commercials. I balance this with my career in stand up, I’m in my 15th year as a stand up comedian. I started at a little hole in the wall bar called the Hidden House in Phoenix back in 2011. Like most new comics I thought I did terrible but was invited back the next week to perform and it was a wrap from there. I have traveled all around the Southwest and Pacific Northwest for shows but mostly stay local. I am looking forward to getting out to the midwest and east coast soon though. You can catch me hosting a weekly music/comedy open mic at a coffee shop here in Mesa, AZ called Jarrod’s! I love what I do, balancing both jobs keeps things fun!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe it would be easy to chase your dreams. I always wanted to score films since I was young but once I started down that path I realized how much work really goes into it, you essentially have to make sacrifices in your life to achieve those goals.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to stop doubting who you want to become. Trust the process.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Superman. I’ve always admired the fact that he is inherently a good person and believes everyone has the capacity for good, they only lack the light to show them the way. This is something I see in myself often and try to be an example in the face of such an ugly world.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am definitely doing what I was born to do. I have had people try to tell me for years what I should be doing at my age and stage in life and I’ve never listened to it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dfilmcomp.wixsite.com/djcomposer
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_composercomic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djcomposer
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@durrelljohnsoncomedy1961
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/stryker623-composer