Donnie Leviathan, the artist behind the project the Sadbreed, is originally from St. Augustine, Florida, and is now based in Dallas, Texas. Creative, hard-working and unapologetically unusual, he is building a reputation in the Dallas music scene for dark, emotional and theatrical music. Alongside his art, he runs a moving business and a mobile recording studio.
A big new chapter
Donnie is working on his most ambitious project yet: an album of around 25 to 30 songs that he describes as the next chapter of the Sadbreed. “There’s a whole story here that no one knows yet,” he says. “The goal is to get people involved before it’s too late.” Much of his work is presented through a mysterious, character-driven persona, with recurring references to unseen forces who don’t want his story told.
Talking about your demons
The central message of his music is the importance of being open about mental health. “I want people to understand that your demons are real and you can’t keep them locked inside,” he says. “If you don’t talk about your emotions and feelings, they just sit in the darkest part of your soul and grow.”
Donnie is candid about his own struggles, including depression and anxiety, and says he often hides how he is feeling. His life changed when he was 14, after his uncle died by suicide and his family moved to support his aunt and cousins, an experience he says left a lasting mark.
In his own words
Asked to describe himself, Donnie mentions being outgoing and always willing to try something new and work outside the box. He also describes a mind that “never turns off”, noticing every shift in energy around him.
On his influences, he gives an unexpected answer: the people who hurt him. “Learn from their malice and redirect your karma to fuel the prophecy,” he says. “Your efforts were not in vain. We will not be silenced.”
He also jokes about his forehead tattoo, which he says forces him to make an extra effort to be friendly with people he meets through his businesses.
Love-hate relationship with Dallas
Although Dallas has become his creative base, Donnie admits he misses the beach of his Florida hometown. That tension between where he came from and where he is now runs through much of his music.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to someone you trust or a local mental health service. In the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Follow Donnie Leviathan
- Instagram: @DonnieLeviathan
- @Focuseddd_
This interview was documented by #Focuseddd.
