Meet Dakota Ringer | Singer, Musician, Actor and Songwriter.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dakota Ringer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dakota, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
My end goal has changed a lot throughout the years. When I was in High School and even into my college years, my goals were very bold. Most young artists get caught up in the thought of being a professional musician or actor and what that HAS to mean. Of course to me, it meant world-wide tours and long film shoots on location in Thailand for the next summer blockbuster. But nowadays, I have grown to realize what most people sacrifice in order to become an actor or musician of that caliber. I’m in love with San Diego, the balance i’ve found and the relationships I have and the community of people I’ve found in this city would be hard to maintain if I were touring 8 months out of the year like most bands I know at that level, or leaving for months at a time to film a movie or act in a touring stage production. I’m not saying I would reject the opportunity if something arised, but my “goals” have changed so that they arent so lofty, and my idea of being a professional has changed with it. It’s allowed me to enjoy what opportunities I get rather than constantly searching for a bigger and better one which may or may not appear. Now i’d say my “goal” is to simply perform as much as I can for as long as I can, in whatever capacity I can. Because it makes me happy. I have a full-time job to make sure my bills are paid consistently, and it gives me the rest of the day and nights to perform whenever and wherever. As long as I continue to do that on a consistent basis, and generally get paid a little for it, i’d say thats a professional to me.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always had my “hand in a lot of cookie jars” growing up, and I have continued that on into my professional life. I love performing, whether that be in the theatre, playing music at a bar, acting in a short film, or testing new music with my acoustic guitar at an open mic. I just like being in a room full of people sharing a certain experience together. I even love playing sports because it allows me the chance to “perform” on the field (not professionally…)! Versatility is a major selling point in the entertainment industry, so i’m gonna continue to add as many tools to my belt as possible, and hope it allows me more and more opportunities in the future!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Depends on where they are from and what their “hometown lacks.” Thats the amazing thing about San Diego, the amount of things to do are so vast. But if they aren’t from a beach town, I will always take them to Torrey Pines State Beach to hike the cliffs, and give them the option of a taco shop or Hodads for a first meal. If they have a passport, I love to go meet up with friends across the border and show them Rosarito and a little bit of that world. Definetly Sunset Cliffs and walking around Ocean Beach. And if they are even SORT OF sports fans, I love taking new people to Petco Park for the Padres.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and my family in general have always been ultra supportive of my artsy ways. I loved sports and the arts equally coming up through school (and still do honestly) but they never pushed me in one direction or the other. They let me try both and just let my pieces fall where they landed as I grew up. When it was clear my talents were better suited for the arts, they supported it full-on and continue to be my biggest fans to this day. Always excited for my next project. Which I know is a luxury that some struggling artists don’t have unfortunately.

Website: dakotaringer.com

Instagram: @thenakedimusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dakota.ringer.37/

Youtube: https://youtu.be/XDtMdF9tviE

Image Credits
Adriana Zuniga-Williams