By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
“Staying true to themselves and reminding themselves that they are capable of executing their visions to their liking,” is what local West Haven singer and songwriter Dominic ‘Dom Lucid’ Poindexter said to the West Haven Voice.
Dominic Poindexter, a native of West Haven and a graduate of the Class of 2023 at West Haven High School, has expanded his career as a musical artist since getting his diploma. Originally beginning to write and post songs during his freshman year, Poindexter told the Voice that the COVID-19 lockdown during the end of his freshman year would end up allowing him to discover a true passion of making and producing his own music.
“Once COVID hit, it really gave me the time to come back to myself and allow me to figure out what I really wanted to do,” said Poindexter.
Although starting when he entered high school, Dominic did see some growing pains that would end up leading to eventual self-growth.
“When I first started it in high school, I didn’t really have the confidence,” said Poindexter, who kept his talents largely veiled and only allowed a few into that part of his life. It was only after he graduated in 2023 that he would open his passion for many to see, saying, “I gotta let this blossom, I can’t keep being scared and keep it to myself.”
Now 21-years-old, the Westie has his own Spotify and Apple Music page with his name being Dom Lucid. He specifically chose that name due to him always having an interest in lucid dreaming since he was a kid, and since lucid is taken as meaning clear and pure, Dominic wanted people to know that his music is of both natures.
When it comes to being his biggest influence, Dominic credits the late Juice WRLD, with Lou Reed as a close second.
A Thousand Times, along with Chaser & Runner are credited as two of Dominic’s most popular songs, according to Spotifty. When it comes to Dominic himself, he said Blue Side of the Sea is one of his favorite songs.
Blue side of the Sea, which was released on June 9, is one of Dominic’s favorites because of the process. After writing it and recording it in a studio, he would later have his little brother help him make a music video. Dominic also told the Voice that it was a very good release of creativity that he had bottled up.
Allowing himself to keep all doors open, Dominic doesn’t have one set genre as he wants to avoid labels and be able to produce any and all type of music he wishes. He said he likes to label his music as “Satoria,” which comes from the Japanese Zen Buddhist word satori, which means sudden enlightenment.
“Whatever comes out, comes out it’s like a stream of consciousness,” said Dominic about his music.
He writes and produces all of his music, curating his art through his own collective “Ourwrldnotyours/satoria Records” alongside his best friends and fellow artists “Driveninsane” (Talib Davis) and “Nicky G” (Nick Gutierrez), both of which Dominic credits as his biggest supporters and motivators.
Overall, Poindexter credits his West Haven background to helping him become the music artist that he is today. Dominic said he found a new appreciation of his city after graduating high school and that he is proud to have grown up and continue to be a resident of West Haven. He also said that being down the Savin Rock portion of West Haven has allowed him to appreciate the little things about the city such as taking walks along the boardwalk and knowing the historical significance of the area.
“Little runs to Dunkin and breakfast at Elm Diner, little stuff like that. I honor that and try to put that back into the art,” said Poindexter.
Dominic Poindexter has already released several songs and an album this year, with much more expected in the near future for the West Haven native.