Davis And The Love – Future Retro Love Story

By starrymag | April 15, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Future Retro…influences of the past with a modern sound.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Tears for Fears, Beastie Boys

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Song For You.”

 

A) It’s my favorite song off of the album and started off as a melody that I had in my head that I sang into my phone. And with the help of producer Jordan Hawley and Jay Jones on piano, we were able to make it a reality.  It’s not only a love song, but also a metaphor for my relationship with music.  I wanted it to be like a shoulder to cry on when things get tough…to show how music can be there for you to help you get through things in life.  Hopefully, it’s something that people find uplifting when they’re going through a rough spot or played when they want to celebrate getting through something difficult or want to be put in a good mood.

 

Q) “Taking You Home” was a 2019 ISRC Song Writing Competition Semi-Finalist. What does that mean to you?

 

A) It’s a nice validation for an artist.  Definitely nice to be known as someone who can write a good song.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I hope that it’s the vulnerability and the soul of it.  The song is honest and asks the listener to be honest and let out whatever emotions you have knowing that the music will be there to soothe you and get you through whatever it is that you’re going through.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics? 

 

A) It definitely helps to have the music first. I find it hard sometimes to have the lyrics first unless you have a particular melody in mind, otherwise it becomes more of a poem than a song for me.  The music helps create the mood and in turn becomes the inspiration for the lyrics and the themes that naturally flow out of me.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music? 

 

A) Probably more than the producer would like sometimes. [laughs] If I hear something that’s missing in a song like a horn part or a guitar riff, I will reach out to musicians that I know to add to it. But it’s more of just icing on the cake than being there to help bake it. I normally let the producer do his thing and focus on the vocals, but I had a particular idea of the sound that I wanted on this album in particular. So, I had things added when I felt like they would help.  However, Jordan really had everything laid out beautifully in his production and we just added a couple things.

 

Q) What themes do you explore off your new debut LP Future Retro Love Story?

 

A) Love.  Redemption.  Vulnerability.  Acceptance.  Passion.  Soul.

 

Q) You reached out to some musician friends to lend a hand on the music for the LP. Who were you most hoping to snag and who is someone you were surprised to get help from?

 

A) I was lucky enough to get help from everyone that I wanted, really.  Jay Jones on keys.  Ryan Russell, the guitar player from my first band, along with Ken Martin, who plays with me currently and even Sinclair Wheeler, who DJ’s as IAMBLACKAM, laid a solo.  I was also able to get Dee Curry on drums who has toured with Janelle Monae and T-Pain. She got her brother DeQuan on bass as well as Jeremy Taylor.  Nicholas Gerlach laid some sax and he has sat in with Thievery Corporation and Umphrees McGee.  Rock singer Hannah Zale lent her vocals to “Get Out My Life” and Mr. Collipark who produced some of the most popular hip-hop songs of the 2000’s produced the track to “Get Out My Life.” I called in a lot of favors and feel very fortunate that they made the time to lend their talents to the album. [laughs]

 

Q) What are some songs on the LP that hold a special place in your heart and why?

 

A) All of them really.  I feel like this was the most honest music that I’ve ever made, so this album will always stay close to my heart.  “Hot Damn” was the first song that we worked on, so that’s always going to stand out to me.  “Song for You,” “Taking You Home” and our new single “Don’t Take it Away” because it was produced by the current keyboard player in the group.  They’re all special.

 

Q) What songs off Future Retro Love Story are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) All of them. There’s no better feeling in the world than watching a crowd vibe to music that you made. I’m really looking forward to touring this record.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to this LP as a whole?

 

A) I hope that it makes them feel good.  I hope it resonates with them.  I hope it empowers them.  I hope that it inspires them to embrace love.  I hope that they understand that flaws and failure are necessary as long as you learn from them.  I hope that they feel the passion and the honesty in it.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

 

A) The Vogue in Indianapolis because it’s where I grew up and is such an iconic spot there.  5 Paces in Atlanta because of the energy.  Anywhere there’s a stage because it allows me to play music for people, and there’s no better feeling in the world than that.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Thievery Corporation, Leon Bridges, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Rick Rubin, Halsey, Huey Lewis, Bruno Mars, Pretty Lights…too many to name really.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) I listen to a lot of Motown and soul.  So, I’ll just put on the best of Motown if I’m cooking or want to be in a good mood.  I just love the passion and rawness and heart of it.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s a direct line of communication.  And it allows you to let the people see who you really are if you choose to approach social media in that way.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for letting me live my dream and giving me purpose every day.

 

 

 

 

 

Watch The Video For “Song For You”