ARMON JAY: INTERVIEW

October 16, 2020

by pankhuri bhutani

Producing his entire new album from his home studio in Franklin, TN, Armon Jay’s latest release, The Dark Side of Happiness is a product that emerges out of his personal struggles and inner conflicts. Be it anxiety, neuroses, frustration, or self-doubt, the album revolves around many vulnerable topics that sparks a novel conversation among the listeners.

Spending almost fourteen hours everyday for two months, Armon tried his hand at writing, recording, arranging, engineering, and producing every track for the album. He also joined hands with Jeremy Larson and mixer Zach Hanson on the album. The project conveys a motivating message and shines a light on dealing with such self struggles and not losing hope at the end of a dark day.

We talked to Armon regarding the process behind the album, how it was like creating an art out of personal struggles and feelings and the kind of reaction he is looking forward to receive from his fans on the album.

Hello Armon. Thanks for joining us on Unclear. As we are facing this unfortunate pandemic, how are you managing to stay creative during a situation like this?

Armon: “Hey! Of course, thanks for the chat! I’m learning that the more I take time to care for myself, the better off I am. Sleep is a huge part of that, but recently I’ve been getting into cycling. My wife and I bought an indoor bike and I seriously love it. I also ride outside on my road bike. All of these things help me reset so I can get back to making music.”

Your third and latest album, The Dark Side of Happiness, dwells deep into the personal aspects of your artistic approach. How was the process like exploring a theme like depression and creating an art out of it?

A: “Honestly, It wasn’t as heavy as one would think. Recording the album myself left me little time to overthink things or get in my head. It was definitely a positive and therapeutic experience.”

How did the name The Dark Side of Happiness come into existence? What was the meaning behind it?

A: “I started writing TDSOH in 2015. I was going through a very different season than I am now. But the song always stuck with me. As strange as it sounds, I felt like the song was haunting me. So I finally gave in and worked through finishing it. I ended up with probably ten different versions as well. Somewhere along the way it became the anchor for me to build the rest of the record around.

As far as the meaning, I wanted it to be a statement. Something that I couldn’t hide behind in a metaphor. I would almost call it unpoetic. But that was my goal. It came from a place of feeling depressed and anxious, and I wanted that to be clear.”

You spent almost 14 hours everyday for months working on the album. Were there any complications that you dealt with during the production stage of the album? If so, how did you overcome them?

A: “Performing certain instruments while engineering were tricky. Especially acoustic guitar. It’s a very sensitive instrument and one little move can change the way it sounds when recording. Going back and forth to my studio desk wasn’t ideal... So I had to make it count when recording takes.”

Having created an album entirely out of personal experiences and feelings, was there ever a moment where you felt so personally connected to a track that you started having second thoughts about putting it out to the public?

A: “Absolutely. But once it was mastered and done, I was more excited than nervous. I will admit the closer it came time to release day I felt the nerves again.”

Listen to The Dark Side of Happiness on Spotify. Armon Jay · Album · 2020 · 10 songs.

What kind of reaction are you hoping to receive from your fans?

A: “From the beginning, I wanted this to be an album that could spark conversation and be an avenue to talk about the things that most of us (including me) find uncomfortable. And if that can help someone walk through their shit, then that encourages me.”

What message do you want the listeners to take away from this album?

A: “This album is an invitation to feel a lot of feelings, but they’re not all as dark as one might think.”

What’s next for you, Armon? Any plans on future projects/collaborations that you would like your fans to know about?

A: “I’m continuing to make as much music as I can, as well as work with other artists writing and producing.”

Lastly, is there any message that you would like to convey to your supporters from all around the world?

A: “Nothing makes me more stoked than to get messages from people saying that the album has helped them through something. In return, that helps me and inspires me to make more music!”

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MILCK: INTERVIEW

October 15, 2020

by emily harris

Artist, and more importantly, activist MILCK is using her creative outlet to shed light on our current political climate. Her latest release, “Somebody’s Beloved,” was written in the midst of and in reverence with the Black Lives Matter Movement. Processing the world around her with songwriting, MILCK has created one powerful anthem after another. Using her platform to lift others up, MILCK is redefining what a platform can do for supporters, not just the artist.

Congrats on your newest single, “Somebody’s Beloved!” Can you talk about the inspiration behind this song?

MILCK: “Songs are a safe haven for many of us to process life. As Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and George Floyd’s murders sparked a global uprising, I sat with the fact that I am both a beneficiary of proximity to white privilege, while also a victim of systemic racism.

As I started deepening my knowledge, I came across an interview with Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s mother. Her words prompted me to write the first verse of the song, which I then brought to Bipolar Sunshine.

As I type this, Tamika Palmer has gone over 200 days feeling her daughter’s absence, while demanding justice daily. I think about the countless families that have carried on, with their beloved’s names in their hearts.

My hope is that ‘Somebody’s Beloved’ will contribute to the conversation around systemic racism by honoring our beloved. We will also be launching The Somebody’s Beloved Fund to support seven local organizations working towards racial justice.”

What was the thought process behind collaborating with Bipolar Sunshine and a choir on this track?

M: “Bipolar Sunshine co-wrote ‘If I Ruled the World,’ my pre-pandemic single [laughs], which was released in February of 2020. He had written the hook of that song, and I ended up finishing those verses with Ido Z and Simon Wilcox. I remember Bipolar Sunshine being very thoughtful on who he would allow to use the hook. I liked that he was discerning, and particular about how his words were transmitted into the world.

When I wrote the verses to ‘Somebody’s Beloved,’ I knew I wanted to go to him, as I knew the song was bigger than me, and I wanted to round out the perspective. I didn’t want to put pressure on him, as this was a very charged time in politics and culture, so I lowkey slid into his Instagram DM’s and sent him some voice memos. I told him that if he truly connected with the song and had interest, I’d love to finish it with him, and learn from him, as a Black man, what else we could say in this song from his unique perspective. I also told him that there was no pressure in replying. I was so nervous to ask, because I know it’s an intense subject matter, and not all of us have bandwidth to tackle these topics. However, Adio showed up, and the Zoom writing session was so fun. We wrote the chorus very easily, and it was a powerful experience for me.”

Can you talk about the recording of the music video for “Somebody’s Beloved” as well?

M: “To better tell the visual story behind the loss of loved ones from systemic racism, I teamed up with One Family Memphis Foundation, an organization geared towards uplifting the predominantly Black community of South Memphis through nature, recreation, filmmaking, and after school programs.

I had met some of the beautiful people of the One Family Memphis Foundation while performing at the Mountain Film Festival in Telluride. One particular member, Jarmond, encouraged me to check out Memphis when I had the chance. His stories and perspective were so powerful that the idea of going to Memphis stayed with me. I ended up going to visit in 2019, and became friends with some of the staff.

I decided to send over my song to some of the One Family Memphis team, and we started ideating. Elisha Jewell, Chris Dean, Malik Martin, and Josh Cannon started sharing their perspectives and ideas. Some of them have unfortunately lost their own beloved to issues fueled by systemic racism. I decided that my job would be to find the funding to create the story they would feel proud of.

These four storytellers worked hard under the mentorship of Tom Shadyac, and created a narrative music video that supports their perspectives of what it feels like to have personally lost a beloved to issues fueled by systemic racism. We were able to get some of the community members, Vermico Smith and her daughter Minah, to be the lead actresses in the piece. Vermico herself lost her son a year and a half ago, and it felt very aligned for her to play the mother in this video. It was truly an honor to witness her tell the story with such power. I couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve created.”

This single follows your global anthem “Quiet.” How did it feel to have this record go viral after the inaugural Women’s March?

M: “It was surreal, as the word ‘viral’ really felt like a word that was left for the cool, hip, sleek, internet savvy human beings. To see that something so organic and emotionally charged could go viral reminded me that the truth always prevails.”

It was also named Billboard’s #1 protest song of the year! Can you talk about how you found out?

M: “I think someone on my management team sent me the article, and I was thrilled! To not only be listed on a publication I have revered for years, but also for that specific category. I got to break so many stereotypes for women, and for Asian women. We are so often seen as demure and compliant. I love that in one song I was able to break free from those preconceived notions.”

As both singles were written during the rising of the sociopolitical climate, how has music allowed you to combat the injustices in the world?

M: “Songwriting has always been my way of processing things that I have a difficult time talking about in person. Ever since I was young, I would use the process of meticulously sculpting words to convey my feelings as a form of therapy. I leaned on my songs to help me process the world around me.

Music allows me to cathartically release tensions and confusions, and they naturally alchemize into something more beautiful than the chaos that pushed me to run towards the piano.

Racial justice has been at the forefront of many of our minds, and as an Asian American woman, I have been both a perpetrator and victim of racism. I have benefitted from my proximity to white privilege, and I also know very well what it feels like to be othered because of my race. As I do more reading of Adrienne Maree Brown, Audre Lorde, James Baldwin, and Ijeoma Oluo, my emotions center around the fact that violence against Black lives impacts my life directly. These are my Black brothers and sisters, and I am in such awe of the strength and beauty that lives within the Black culture, even amidst such an unjust history in the US. All my emotions started swelling as I learned more and more. So the best way for me to keep moving forward is to process my respect for the lives lost through writing this song, ‘Somebody’s Beloved.’”

Listen to Somebody's Beloved (feat. Bipolar Sunshine) on Spotify. MILCK · Single · 2020 · 1 songs.

How has being an Asian American woman defined the way you approach the music scene, especially since you write such socially aware songs?

M: “Of course, I must preface by saying that this is not the experience of all Asian Americans, but I can say that I’ve seen this as a common thread between many other Asian American artists in my unique community.

That being said, I have had to become very persistent and patient with myself because Eastern and Western philosophies have a lot of differences, and especially in the music industry, those philosophies can be at odds with each other. For example, I was taught ever since I was young that my elders know best, and that reverence and following tradition is honorable and respectful. However, music feeds off of fresh and distinct voices that refuse to follow the herd. I have had to retrain myself to shed some of the traditional values that I was raised on, in order to allow for the raging voice within me find itself.”

Can we expect more poignant-topic songs soon?

M: “Oh, you know it. I am currently exploring topics surrounding family, and the generational and cultural gaps that haunt me. I’m tackling the fear that if I walk closer to myself, it could mean that I walk further from my family. However, as I keep writing about it, and leaning into brutal honesty about myself, and my loved ones, I am realizing there is the possibility of surrendering, and being okay with disapproval or disappointment. The only person I need to make sure I don’t betray is myself. If I can stay brutally loyal to my truth, I must trust that the forces of love and healing will come.”

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ALIX: INTERVIEW

October 13, 2020

by mariah estran

R&B songstress ALIX is a true Cali girl, and she is reminding us why you will never want to leave the Golden State with her latest album Feel Better.

Her soulful tone glides over a range of pop beats and funky basslines, a sound you would imagine hearing from car speakers as a cool west coast girl drives down the 101. This ten-track LP never feels dull. It moves with finesse and confirms her sound progressing since the 2018 release of Since ‘96.

The Bay Area natives' admiration for her hometown is in her visuals and overall style. In July, she premiered the music video for "Good” feat. NEZZA, a stunning image of the scenic Redwoods and its storybook charm — it's an ode to California, but also an ode to her new phase in her artistry.

In honor of this new album, ALIX took the time to speak with us about Feel Better, the creative process, her new life chapter, and the many exciting projects she is working on next.

When listening to your music, you have this smooth R&B sound, but it also feels very unique. How have you developed your sound, and who have been some of your inspirations?

ALIX: “I genuinely love all genres and have been influenced by artists, songs and styles across the board. I feel the mixture of diverse musical influences has made my voice and writing style what it is. I wasn’t exactly born with crazy vocal abilities. I couldn’t really match other singers in some areas but I had a tone and a pretty wide range. I knew as long as I perfected that, the rest would fall into place. My favorite artists and writers were ones who were not polished but instead were very tone and style driven with edgy and relatable lyrics. My favorite artists didn’t sound or write like anyone else and I realized there was a major advantage to that. I’m seriously influenced and inspired by Rihanna and her songwriters like James Fauntleroy, Sia, Bibi Bourelly, SZA, Ester Dean, etc. (who are also amazing artists).”

Being from the Bay Area, you have great admiration for the nature that surrounds the area. It has even inspired your music. Why do you feel such a strong connection to California’s scenery?

A: “If California is anything, it’s beautiful. Living on the east coast has made me appreciate the unique nature of California even more. The scenery was just as big of an influence on me as the music was. So many of my memories involve the California outdoors and I am very grateful to have grown up in such a beautiful place. I was raised surrounded by nature and in a nature loving, environmentally conscious family. When I was a kid we spent a lot of time hiking, camping, and even went backpacking in the wilderness for a few summers.

Being 15 minutes from San Francisco was pretty amazing. There were a ton of festivals and concerts for free or cheap in Golden Gate Park and around the Bay. My friends and I used to go to Power to the Peaceful, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Shoreline, and stuff like that. The coolest part was that they were all in the trees, by the beachm or on the side of a mountain. So while we got to experience the music, we also got to experience nature too. It made for an even better time.”

Your recent music video for “Good” showcased that very dream-esque landscape that the Bay Area is known for. What was the story behind this stunning visual?

A: “Thank you so much. We felt that this song felt classic, light, soft and angelic. We wanted to capture that in a real and human way. The song is telling the story of two friends who have bonded over the fact that they have moved on from past relationships. This song is the well wishes they want to send to those former significant others.

The visuals started with a mood board I put together. The song sounded to me like a palette of pearly creams, beiges, browns, baby blues, and earthy greens. The music has a vintage, love song feel, so I wanted that represented in the visuals as well. I wanted a real-life meets ethereal woman. A representation of peace of mind and new maturity; a new chapter of attitude towards this situation and others like it. I sent the board to my director Lindsay Sunada and she created a storyline and put together a plan for the visuals. I did the wardrobe and Lindsay and I decided on final styling a few days before the shoot. We ended up borrowing a few of the clothing pieces from the closet of Brooke and Gia of 1323 (Pop Band featuring on the album-track 8: let’s leave).

Although the video was filmed in Palos Verdes in Southern California, the location was chosen as a favorite because of the similarities it had to the Bay Area.”

You just released your new album Feel Better. What was the creative process like while developing this body of work?

Listen to Feel Better on Spotify. Alix · Album · 2020 · 11 songs.

A: “During the creative process there were times where it was smooth and times where it was more challenging. Since we do everything from our home studio, it was nice to be able to wake up, go downstairs and get to work on whatever we wanted. Some songs were specifically created to be on this album and some just came to be on their own and fit right in. Our process varied. Sometimes me and Paul would jam on the couch creating from scratch, sometimes I would give him a song I was obsessed with and ask for something like it. Sometimes I would start an idea with an a cappella or I would look through the instrumentals we already had and start creating melodies or lyric concepts. Recording was nice because since I engineer my own sessions, I had a lot of freedom in the way I worked. It was very comfortable for me to be able to record alone without distractions. The frustrating challenges came when I would listen through after I was done recording and feel I needed to rerecord or rewrite something. I ended up doing recuts and rewrites to a number of songs. I went through a lot of change during the album process and I felt by the end my voice and writing had improved as well. It was hard not to redo everything.”

You’ve been releasing music since 2018. How does Feel Better show your growth as an artist?

A: “I think this album shows a lot of growth both sonically and visually. Both projects were just about completely done by my producer and partner Paul Sikoral and I. Since ‘96, my first project, it was important for us to learn the ropes of how to create and drop a release from start to finish. This new project shows our improvement as creatives, musicians, and as a label.

I feel with this album, we establish and solidify our sound and show that we are headed in a unique and memorable direction, paving way for a new sound and music style that’s all our own.

The whole album was recorded, edited, written, produced, mixed, mastered, and marketed from our living room. I think it shows growth in just about every area and a glimpse of what future releases will be like.

In addition to the album having a more solid brand, we are now in a position to execute other goals around the album such as dropping our merchandise collection, hosting live concerts and collaborating with our peers and associated companies.”

What do you want people to take away after they listen to this album? What do you hope people learn about you?

A: “I know this year has been especially hard and that going into winter and times of higher tensions might not help much. It’s been hard to keep our heads up and feel good about anything really. This album was made over the course of a big change in my life over the last two years. When I started writing it I was in a pretty bad place, very frustrated and discouraged. By the end of the album I had moved across the country and gone through a big mental growth. There was so much weight lifted off my shoulders. Half of the album is about that place where I finally started to feel better and relax. In the end I wanted the album to represent that change. This was the closing of a chapter and the acknowledgment of a new one to come. Because of this theme, I included songs about the mental struggles I had gone through, the feelings I battled with navigating how to move in this industry, and nostalgic stories about old chapters. The album talks about finding happy love and peaceful mindsets. It’s about reflection, acknowledgement and forgiveness in order to move on with nothing to weigh you down.

I hope my listeners can enjoy some of my stories while also feeling comforted by any stories they may relate to. I hope they can go through the same journey I did, realizing that it is important to surround yourself with things and thoughts that keep you comfortable and happy and able to focus on your passions and ambitions without losing love for them. I learned that in this new chapter I want to be able to let things go, focus on the things I can control, and do the best I can.”

Lastly, what can listeners expect next? Will there be more visuals?

A: “I have a number of visuals planned. Starting with a mini documentary episode, ‘Behind the Making of the ‘Good’ Music Video.’ This in depth compilation of behind the scenes footage of me, NEZZA, and the video crew will release on YouTube within a few weeks of the album release.

— I have a quarantine-style music video for Track 9: ‘Spoiled’ ft. Rozee coming out after the album release. This video was filmed, directed and edited by me and I am very excited to share.

— NEZZA and I also have a video and recording for the acoustic version of ‘Good.’ It will drop after a few weeks of the album being out.

— I will be doing a live show in early October in collaboration with Friendlysky.com and I will be posting flyers with info details on my social media and website.

— I will be dropping my merchandise collection with pre-orders starting October.

— We have some acoustic and live versions of select songs planned and we will drop singles according to which songs people like most. We will also have some new features and remix collaborations including one in the works from Franny Arrieta.”

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DEATHBYROMY: INTERVIEW

October 12, 2020

by abby samuelson

Fueled by passion and purpose in music, DeathbyRomy leads the alternative music scene with her confident styles and iconic makeup. She’s collaborated with stars such as Lost Kings, Kiiara, and PVRIS that have brought her to shine on stage. Her new single “Beautiful Mayhem” accurately describes her “wild child” side and how passionate she is for living life to the absolute fullest, not wasting a single second missing out on adventure. Check out our exclusive interview with DeathbyRomy below.

Tell us about your new single “Beautiful Mayhem.” What inspired it?

DeathbyRomy: “My insatiable hunger for passion and adventure! Especially in these crazy times. I am so blessed with a lust for life. That’s really what this is about, the wild child I am.”

Who is your inspiration that got you into music?

D: “Hannah Montana. I can credit Miley Cyrus for being the reason I started writing at five. She filled me with the fantasy of life on stage and I knew my whole life what I was going to do.”

Tell us about your collabs with Lost Kings and with Kiiara and PVRIS! How did those come to be and which of the projects do you feel expresses your style the most?

D: “I’m so multifaceted that both songs honor different sides of me. ‘Numb’ is me in a one-sided love-type relationship, craving the love I so long for, and ‘Hurt’ is me after getting out of it, realizing I’m worth all the love in the world and I’m fine without that loser. Both were sent to me and brought together by mutuals, so luckily some people got my name in their mouth for good [laughs]!”

Let’s talk makeup! Your signature dramatic eye shadow art turned many eyes as you gained a following in 2018. What inspired this signature, and did you see it gaining popularity from the beginning?

D: “I knew it would be jarring and disturb some while comforting others. I am a huge fan of Marilyn Manson and Alice Cooper as well as metal music. I like feeling tough and honoring my past – this look is meant to represent scars. Beauty scars of strength. I don’t run from my past – I honor it. I had no idea what people would think, but I did it for myself.”

Has music become therapeutic or exhausting for you throughout the years?

D: “Honestly, both. I’d be lying if I said it’s always a walk in the park and it’s not even like work at all, but more than anything it’s my purpose. I just want to help people, and console and comfort forever. I am a huge romantic and a lover so I feel pushing myself will be worth it – though I’m ready for a vacation about now.”

How did you gain so much confidence to look, feel, and be yourself in the music industry?

D: “I got bullied a lot in school. For everything. And long story short – it broke me for a while, but I never stopped doing me because it’s all that made me feel kind of okay. And these kids weren’t going to accept me even if I dressed like them. I didn’t stop dressing how I wanted, and I started gaining a following for it. I gained the acceptance I so longed for on the Internet. People thought I was cool and my following kept growing and growing, and I gained a lot of confidence thanks to realizing it does pay off to be yourself.”

Listen to Beautiful Mayhem on Spotify. DeathbyRomy · Single · 2020 · 1 songs.

How have you seen yourself grow in songwriting from your first song at only five years old?

D: “I’ve learned to try everything. Tell all stories. I’ve learned to critique, rewrite, elaborate, and simplify. I’m not afraid to scrap things and restart. And most importantly, trust myself first in my creative decisions.”

If you could perform anywhere with anyone, where and who would it be?

D: “Wow! Incredible and insanely hard question. I think it would be to do a show with Bring Me The Horizon where we both do a bunch of their songs and my songs but all together. [laughs] The combination of the styles would be INSANE. And to be honest, it could be anywhere, but Staples Center would be iconic since I’m from LA.”

What sort of goals are you trying to reach in the next few years?

D: “I want to write more songs for movies! I can’t wait for A Promising Young Woman to come out! I have two songs on that soundtrack that I’m geeked about. But I really want to gain the respect of some of my idols. And I want to tour for fuck’s sake! That might be number one, actually.”

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DAVID DAVIS: INTERVIEW

October 7, 2020

by meghan brianna

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.”

Listen to Ocean on Spotify. David Davis · Single · 2020 · 1 songs.

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.”

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!”

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