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This week, Toronto-based performer Diamond Rings will open for Scandinavian dance-pop giant Robyn as part of a multi-city North American tour that promises to be anything but boring. Diamond Rings, also known as John O’Regan, has become famous in recent months for his outlandish costumes, energetic performances, and infectious dance beats. Those who are familiar with O’Regan from his days as the lead vocalist for Toronto band the D’Urbervilles may be surprised by his penchant for glitter and body paint. O’Regan says, however, that this is a natural transformation.

“I consider myself more of a performer than a musician,” O’Regan says. “I’m following in a long line of performers, trying to do what my favourite musicians have done before me.” Included in this tradition are bands like Kraftwerk and Devo and pop icons like Janet Jackson, who are well-known for their public images and live performances. “It’s like a never-ending feedback loop,” he says. “To separate [the image and the music] is pointless; it all feeds into the same thing.”

While O’Regan’s loud and colourful style has played a significant role in the rising popularity of Diamond Rings, he hasn’t stopped striving for more. “I’m learning a lot about making electronic music, and how to write a good song,” he says. “It’s a lot easier to make something a challenge to listen to, [but] to try to do something that’s really honest …  it’s a brave thing to do.”

The character and public image of Diamond Rings have been integral to O’Regan’s popularity as a solo artist, but it can sometimes be a tricky balance offstage. “There are so many mundane aspects of being a career musician,” he says. “It’s a lot of work, and there are so many things that require a lot of time and energy. I wish I could wear makeup all the time!”

Incorporating an image into musical performance also requires walking a fine line between artistic integrity and pleasing the audience. “I wasn’t really thinking about the audience before,” he says. “But ultimately it’s hard to pretend there aren’t people out there who are anticipating and judging what I do next.” Dealing with a captivated audience has made O’Regan more introspective about the messages in his songs. “Each song is a learning experience,” he says. “As soon as you try to write for someone other than yourself, things get complicated … but if I hold true to that spirit of making music I like, I can only hope that that will translate [to the audience].”

After more than five years of touring and recording with the D’Urbervilles—and becoming an established member of the Canadian independent music scene in the process—O’Regan is determined to keep things exciting, both for himself and his fans.

“I’m growing as a musician, which is a really fun challenge,” he says. “There’s no formula, and no clear-cut way to do it … Maybe I can even make something my mom will like.”

 Going solo hasn’t been an easy adjustment for O’Regan. “I’m still getting used to it,” he says. “Performing solo is radically different, but there’s a thrill of stepping off a cliff on your own, with no one to look over to at any point in the show. It’s just about me and the fans, which is challenging, but that’s why I like it.”

Despite its challenges, being on his own has allowed O’Regan to experiment with pop-based performance tactics, including choreographed dance routines and 80s-inspired costumes. “I’ve been doing a bunch of new stuff [for this tour],” he says. “New outfits, new makeup, new dance routines … I’m trying to keep things interesting for myself. I’m just trying to create my own world, and the live show is the best place to do that.”   

Diamond Rings opens for Robyn at Metropolis on January 27.