From the Doors to 2Pac and beyond, we talk music with Davis and The Love
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM OR SINGLE?
The new single is called, "Change the World". It comes out on 9/17 on all platforms.
WHAT INSPIRED THE ALBUM OR SINGLE?
I just felt like we needed a positive anthem for the people in this world that are striving to make it a better place, and for the ones who want to make the world better, but feel helpless in how to do it. With so much negativity and division, it seems like there are all of these factions of humanity that are against each other. But, I think that at the end of the day, if we are better people on an individual basis: remembering the things our parents taught us at a young age of how to treat people with respect, and not to judge people, etc we can start the ripple effect that causes change to happen on a Macro level.
CAN YOU SUM UP THE ALBUM IN A FEW WORDS?
Our debut album, "Future Retro Love Story". It's got elements of pop, rock, soul, blues, and hip-hop. I think it reflects the eclectic nature of our being. Many people have been able to find music so much easier these days and are interested in so many artists and styles. I'm the same way, so I bring elements of all of those influences in a cohesive way.
In regards to "Change the World", it's a Pop/Soul anthem. A hurricane of pop, rock, and soul. It makes you want to jump out of your seat and get to work on making the world a better place.
WHAT RECORD CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHY?
I got The Doors greatest hits album when I was 10 years old, and was really blown away by the emotion and storytelling. I've always focused on telling a story in the writing of a song because I think it really allows people to relate and connect. I also love classic hip hop for the same reasons. 2Pac's "All Eyez on Me" was powerful for me. The attitude and the lyricism really drew me in. And, also my mom had a Smokey Robinson record that she played all of the time and I really love classic soul, as well. I think you hear a little bit of all those influences in this song and the others.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MUSIC VIDEO FILMED BY YOUR BAND OR ANOTHER
ARTIST?
I love our video for "Song for You". We shot it in New York and Nashville right before the pandemic, and it's just a beautiful song.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING MUSIC?
Big football fan. I also like to play golf to sort of reset. I love movies, old and new, and hanging with friends and family. But, with our tour schedule and the new music we've been making, it's been pretty much all music all of the time right now.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS PERFORMING LIVE, IF SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
I always get nervous! I think that if you don't get a little nervous, you don't really care about what you're doing. I want to make every show the best show people have seen of ours. So, I just meditate a little bit before the show, jump around a bit, and get ready to rock...a shot of Jack Daniels helps, as well lol.
HOW DID YOU FORM THE BAND?
Well, it all started when a friend of mine, Jordan Hawley from my hometown in Indianapolis, IN sent me some music that he was producing and it really reflected the type of music that I wanted to make moving forward. It had a throw back soul feel, but with current drum sounds that would still allow it to fit into the modern pop soundscape. We, along with his brother Matt Hawley as our engineer, ended up cutting 8 songs fairly quickly in their basement, and then I reached out to a number of musicians that I respected to put their flavor on it and give it a more "live" sound. Once I had the demos, I shopped the idea out to some musicians in Atlanta and my manager put an ad out in Craigslist and found our keyboard player, Nelson Puello. I really feel like fate stepped in on that one, because finding someone online that you can vibe with and that is as committed as you are is fairly hard to come by. And, especially someone that's not a weirdo lol. From there, I reached out to a drummer friend of mine D'andre Thigpen, who had sat in on some other projects of mine, and then a local booking agent recommended Cory Welch on guitar. We rotate in different musicians on bass (Troi Buchanon and Ken Smith), percussion (Luis Madrid), and horns, etc. I also had some amazing contributions from good friends Jay Jones (keys), and Benito DiBartoli (guitarist who toured with Eddie Money) whoe are based in Indianapolis and contributed some amazing stuff on the album, and who I enjoy playing out live with whenever our schedules allow it. I love the idea of a collaborative effort and I'm always looking to see what different musicians can bring to the table to keep evolving the sound.
HOW DO YOU WRITE? - DO YOU HAVE A KEY SONGWRITER, OR DO YOU ALL WORK
TOGEHTER?
Normally someone comes with an melody or song idea and we just build around it. Jordan Hawley is a friend of mine and producer and sort of an honorary member of the band. He really understands the style that I'm going for, and lays a really nice foundation of an idea melodically. Nelson (keys) and Cory (guitar) do the same, and sometimes I'll have something that I'm humming around and can take to the guys. Then, we just get in a room with Dre (drums) and kind of build the music around that. And then based on the mood of the music or the mood I’m in that day, I’ll start writing to it or freestyling, or singing a hook idea to see what comes naturally with the vibe.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Life, love, passion, soul.
WHAT IS NEXT?
More music. More touring. We just want to reach as many people as possible and hopefully affect people in a positive way. We would love for as many people and fans as possible to go on this ride with us, so we're going to keep reaching out and see who comes along!
PLEASE TELL US ANY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS SO WE CAN SHARE.
Instagram: davisandthelove
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davisandthelove
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2McDkoUAzi43Yzhf6D27wB?si=PC4DzsxUT5mzcnBKLD0HBA&dl_branch=1
Comments