Today we’d like to introduce you to Evelyn Escalona.
Hi Evelyn, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Detzany, I am a Mexican American independent recording artist, songwriter, producer, and performer. I love mixing different styles and genres that influence me on a daily basis. It can range from alternative indie, Latino oldies, soul, jazz, RnB, and hip-hop, I loved observing everything in the existential world. I was curious at heart. I think my curiosity brought me to where I am today, to keep experimenting and trying new things and to endlessly evolve.
I found my gift” and on the question where it says what should we know about your work. I want to create a safe space for anyone who falls upon my music and feel their most authentic selves or relate to my lyrics in their own personal journeys as well, I am currently also working on coming out with a lot of new music and projects from the makings of the past months in the works so stay tuned for that as well. At age 15 I received a scholarship for the Hollywood launch which was a triple threat training program in L.A. then got private auditions for NBC “the voice” and continued to work vigorously on my career. then graduated high school early at age 17 in 2017 And studied music production and vocal performance at Utah Valley University. over the years I performed for the 90&9 suicide prevention show called “Fighter” and toured through China in 2019 with a performance group as a solo artist. After graduating in 2020, I was focused to pursue my music career. So far, I have Performed for the Younique convention in a special recorded event in 2021 And the Utah Division of multicultural affairs non-profit organization. Performed at Kilby court with up-and-coming artists and events and in June 2022 did my first ever performance gig at breaking sound in LA.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Although growing up in a very suburban area where being different was out of the norm. However, I always danced to the own beat of my drum. I come from immigrant parents who came to live a better life here in America for my siblings and me. I am so grateful for how supportive my family has been through my journey, especially my sister Itzel, In December 2012 that’s when I didn’t see things would turn around in my life, Itzel was just 17 years old and got diagnosed with lymphoma cancer and I was 12 years old. Deep down, I kept that hope that she would get better. She was In and out of the hospital while she was going to high school, it was mostly just me and my sister Ivana at home, both of my parents would be looking after Itzel. Sometimes we wouldn’t have food in the fridge because of the expensive bills for her treatments. I didn’t see any of this coming. We were Surviving off neighbor’s donated food and hospital visit food got me through the day. That’s when I realized me and my family had hit rock bottom. During her treatment, she was losing her beautiful long hair and she had to go get a haircut that was the most emotional experience for everyone progressively over time the chemo was taking over her body, in the period of 3 months in march of 2013 it was a week before I knew everything would change in my life I thought she was getting better, she was planning for the future and looking forward to things after her treatment would be done. This wave of fear came over me of losing her and realizing that she was actually gone, everything was a blur, I think people don’t really understand the perspective of what it’s like losing a close loved one in their family.
Life got really real when she passed away. I never knew the things I would face those following years at such a young age would be so challenging. I never liked others around me struggling and grieving like my friends and family so I would be strong for them even though I was fighting my inner battle, liking myself is the hardest fight I didn’t know I was fighting, insecurities built up more and my depression and anxiety was deep inside of me and I didn’t acknowledge that this was eating me away.
For a long period of my life, I kept myself in this mold of fear trying to dim my light. I felt like a broken record, memories playing over and over in my head. It was hard to connect to people, and I asked myself why would anyone share such a vulnerable part of themselves, especially in their music? a lot of my identity and individuality were suppressed and operating from in m a place of seeking validation to what was considered normal. With a prayer tucked in my pocket, I hoped I would get out of the dark place I was in my life.
I eventually learned to build bridges in my Life. The switch in my mental state really saved my existence. I started creating more art and writing songs has helped me break out of that unstable state I was in. To express me on a personal and universal level, break the stereotypes, and labels and create my new reality.
I feel a sense of duty to keep my lost loved ones who have passed and keep their legacies going. These personal experiences are unfolding and waiting to be shared with the world. I want to take ownership of my own unique story. I feel like I should use my voice to change other people’s lives. Singing has always been something inside of my soul even though growing up I didn’t speak much. It was a form of expression and communication without speaking words.
I’ve realized that life is so short. We’ve been stuck in this society where we are complaining so much, in general, we don’t appreciate what is right now, This exact moment, we don’t want to stand out from the rest and just want to stay in our own bubble and not look beyond it. So Live in this moment. Every single experience, this minute, every second, enjoy ur time with your family and friends, capture the happy, the tough, and exciting moments, open your mind to who listens to you, who brings the energy up, who understands you and doesn’t, We are reflections of each other.
Live like you have so little time to live and accomplish things you adore in life nobody’s holding you back the only one that is the control over yourself. So prove yourself wrong. Don’t avoid it, act upon it. There’s nothing to fear about and don’t take that for granted.
Challenge yourself to the edge, every living human being on this earth can create something with their mind, it’s a work of art, one of the perks in life, give it your all, life itself is so precious. Anything can change in your life within seconds, it can turn your life around in so many ways.
I think about it every day not even realizing it, how and why did it happen, what would happen if it didn’t, and how everything would be different but I know every day I strive to keep looking forward and have that faith and peace within myself, finding my inner compass.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a music artist, singer-songwriter, and producer based out of salt lake city, my exposure to soulful singers, old Latin music, and alternative indie music really planted a seed into the artist I am today, my influences range from Whitney Houston, Brandy, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Selena vocally and musically Solange, frank ocean, Tyler the creator and Jorja smith.
Singing has always been something inside of my soul even though growing up I didn’t speak much when I was little.
It was a form of expression and communication without speaking words.
Currently, on my creative journey, I feel like I have been finding my own sound, myself as a Latina woman, and growing into my own divine femininity, it really feels like I’m tapping into my true authentic self.
I feel most connected with my most solitude authentic self in making art and music. When you find something you are passionate about, it comes effortless to you, it feels like you can do it all day because you wanna get better and better at honing your skill. What finding your most authentic myself to me is stepping out of your comfort zone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.detzanymusic.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detzany_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetzanyMusic/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Detzany_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLsTEUxg0MhbnWE-wndVqw
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-138512607
Image Credits
1st,2nd and 3rd photo: Omar Castanon
1st photo with rose: Dakota elegante
4th and 5th pic: Irlanda Trujillo
6th photo: Austin Aubrey
7th: Connor Reid
8th: Alec Moody
9th: Arlow
10th: Jacob funes
