by meghan brianna
photo by amanda ramón
Chicago-born David Davis proves with each release that he is a force to be reckoned with. With music pulsing through his blood, practically since birth, Davis is the musical equivalent to a ferocious, unrelenting ocean wave. Studying at the renowned Belmont University’s music program, he was able to perfect the piano, as well as his performance skills. Bleeding between the lines of pop and soul, Davis continuously brings new material to the table.
David Davis was also a winner on NBC’s show “Songland,” where his original song, “Everything It Took To Get To You,” was recorded by Ben Platt, charting #1 on the New Pop Song Chart, #5 All Song Chart, and #2 on the Pop Charts.
As an ocean wave comes and goes from the shore, Davis is back with his newest single, “Ocean.” We had the chance to sit and chat with Davis regarding “Ocean,” his songwriting process, as well as what he has in the works for the future.
For our readers who are unfamiliar with the gift that is David Davis, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you began your musical journey?
David Davis: “I was one of those kids who would sit in the backseat and make up songs to entertain myself. Because of this, my parents put me in the church choir and piano lessons, and my love of music grew quickly from there. By middle school, I found that the best way to express my feelings was through writing songs. Once I realized the power of putting emotions into art, I became obsessed with it. Flash forward to getting a music degree and hitting the road to share my music, and now it’s my full-time thing.”
You’re fresh off of a new release, “Ocean.” A congratulations is in order! What was the creative process behind the song, and how did it come to be?
DD: “Thank you! I wrote this song in 2017 after a Tinder date. My date was visiting from London for 24 hours and we had really hit it off, but we both knew that once he stepped on that plane back to the UK, it would probably fizzle out. The next day, I was in a writing session with my friend, Emma, and I gushed about what happened. At the end of the story I said, ‘I swear we can make it work; it’s only an ocean between us!’ Emma’s eyes lit up and we got to work. We wrote it in about 30 minutes and I waited almost three years to produce it out with my producer, whose name also happens to be David Davis! Since it was the beginning of the pandemic we had to do it all virtually and through FaceTime, but it allowed us to really take our time with the production and have less distraction.”
How does “Ocean” differ from your previous releases such as “Golden,” as well as “Always Be You?”
DD: “It’s so crazy that you picked those two songs to reference because I actually think ‘Golden’ and ‘Always Be You’ have so much in common with ‘Ocean!’ All three are songs about overcoming obstacles in relationships. They all bring up how there are difficulties in every relationship, but that you still choose them at the end of the day.”
Are you the type of person who sits down, and says, “I have to grind out a song today, I need to get this finished (or started),” or are you more freeform with your creative process, letting things flow and take the time they need to grow and blossom?
DD: “I studied songwriting in college, and one of my professors told me, ‘You’ve got to learn the craft so you can always get it done, whether you’re inspired or not.’ That’s been really helpful when I’ve had to write songs for projects with a deadline. But when it comes to writing my own stuff, I just try to provide space and time for whatever the idea wants to be. Once I do that, I catch the idea and let it run until it’s done.”
Backing up a bit in the timeline, congratulations on your win on NBC’s “Songland.” You worked with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder to produce the final song to pitch to Ben Platt. What was that experience like, and what was the overall experience like on the show?
DD: “I had an amazing experience on ‘Songland.’ The whole time you could tell that people were there for the art. Most everyone I encountered, from the other writers to the producers, were united in the same goal: to make the absolute best song possible for some of the best artists. The time I spent with Ryan really inspired me as I’ve looked up to his work for a long time. And getting to hear Ben sing that final version of ‘Everything I Did To Get To you’ was a ‘pinch myself’ moment.”
How was the dynamic different knowing you were writing a song for someone else versus when you know you’re writing for yourself?
DD: “I usually don’t think about who it’s for when I write a song. I write the song because I have something I need to express and the best way I know how to do that is by grabbing a pen and sitting at a piano. Sometimes I finish the song and decide what I’d like to do with it from there. If I imagine another artists’ voice on it, I’ll try to pitch it. If I can’t imagine it without mine, it usually means I’ll run with it.”
I know you’ve just put out a new single, but is there anything else fans can expect from you before 2020 concludes? Any new songs in the works?
DD: “Yes! I’m currently in Christmas mode because I have an upcoming EP called Hope for the Holidays that will be out October 23rd. For those creative sessions, I wore a Christmas onesie and ate snickerdoodles to capture the spirit, even though it was in the middle of the LA heatwave. The lead song is called ‘Christmas Wishin’,’ which will be featured on a major network Christmas special. I’m simultaneously working on my sophomore album that will be out in 2021.”
While on the topic of 2020, COVID-19 has truly turned the world on its head. What plans did you have for this year that got uprooted, and what plans do you have for 2021? Any talks or plans of a tour?
DD: “I was scheduled to tour globally prior to the COVID crisis. That was all cancelled over the course of two days. That was difficult as I get so much of my joy from performing live shows. I’ve done many virtual events in attempts to still offer that experience to my listeners. They range from doing my own nights called ‘Evening Inn with David Davis,’ to doing events as a featured vocalist with other artists, such as Leona Lewis. I’ll do a handful of those as I keep releasing music.”
photo by amanda ramón
With the current state of the U.S., as well as the world, do you have any words to share for people who may be having an eye-opening moment with the Black Lives Matter movement?
DD: “For my Black friends, I try to encourage self-care. The discussion of police brutality and the violent images that flood our timelines have raised awareness, but can also be triggering and traumatizing to re-witness. We are all here to fight the good fight, but the fight will be long and we need to stay well to stay in it.
When my white friends reached out during the height of the movement this summer, many of them relayed how they felt they weren’t sure how to aid in the movement. I told them that the best thing they could do was to call their family members and get an understanding of their beliefs. And if those beliefs don’t promote a more inclusive, equitable world, then let them know why it is important that they do. Your friends won’t always tell you their full truth or opinion, but I’ve found that family usually does. And you’ve got to know their whole truth to speak to it accurately.”
To finish this off, do you have any words for your fans and supporters, and do you have any words to share for those who have yet to discover you and your music?
DD: “To those who listen to my music: I hope my music brings a little relief in all this chaos. I consider it an honor that you share 3-4 minutes of your day with me!
For those who haven’t found me yet: I can’t wait to meet you. I think we’ll get along!”