Jammerzine Exclusive: An Interview with Drew Davies

This interview was a real treat for me. To become a fan of someone’s music that you get to review and to actually get to write about how that music stands out as it’s own is a true privilege. That artist is Drew Davies. I’ve gotten to review two of his tracks so far: ‘Man on the Run‘ and ‘Living the Dream‘. Both tracks stand out in their own individual ways, and each is a musical monster in their own creative right.

And now I get to talk with the mind behind the music and how those tracks came to be and much, much more. There are a few true surprises in this interview (I would have never guessed his origins in music). We also get a detailed glimpse at his views on the current music scene and what he has coming up next. I guarantee, Drew will be one of your next favorite artists.

About Drew Davies
Persistence is a word that’s rather easily thrown around in this era of the five-minute social media fad. But in this golden age of the hashtag Drew’s goals have always been keenly focussed on producing music close to his heart.

Through friendships and loved ones come and gone, successes, setbacks and everything in between, Drew has poured himself into his musical labors, and now he’s produced his most personal work to date.

Whilst Drew hails from the North of England he is an adopted Londoner; he’s trod the boards of venues and festivals across the UK and Europe with various bands, worked in musical collaborations, written for other artists and sang in session gigs to get by. From cutting his teeth and paying his dues in some of the seediest venues you’ve ever likely to see to recording in some of the top studios on the planet; these experiences all played their part in his arrival at this vantage point, from which he brings forth his debut solo album.

@drewdaviesmusic [rotatingtweets screen_name=’drewdaviesmusic’]

Musically Drew pulls from a vast array of influences that stretch from 50s rock n’ roll to modern electronica. From the hook-filled, to-the-point numbers of Roy Orbison or Tom Petty, to the cinematic synth sounds of John Carpenter, Vangelis, and Kavinsky, the music is imbued with a heavy tenderness; wrapped up in the genre-bending timelessness of artists like Bowie, Queen or Eurythmics.

“When I wrote ‘Living The Dream’ I had recently removed myself from a number of unhealthy relationships and thrown myself into my work. Whilst I had become somewhat of a hermit in those days I also met a wonderful woman and started a love affair.

The song is about going your own way; but it’s also a snapshot of that period in my life; the lyrics were quite a tongue in cheek; centering on the rejection of the ‘rock n roll’ lifestyle that had been thrust upon me, the new love in my life and the scene from where I was writing the song…”

In preparation for the release of Living the Dream, Drew has readied a full backing band complete with dueling guitars, bass, synthesizers, drums and two backing singers; bringing the full sound of the songs to the stage as they can be heard on the record. Having debuted earlier this year at London’s iconic Troubadour club the band have gone on to play notable London venues and are preparing to tour the UK and beyond.

“Absolutely Fantastic…Influenced by David Bowie and Peter Gabriel”
– BBC Introducing

“A stunningly captivating indie-rock belter”
– Music-News. com

“Soaring and strong vocals…”
– Atwood Magazine

Self-produced by Drew, the album was recorded at Tileyard Studios in London, before arriving at the hands of mixing engineer Steve Honest (Oasis, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac), with mastering by John Webber (George Michael, David Bowie, Super Furry Animals) at the legendary AIR Studios.

LINKS:
https://www.drewdaviesmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/drewdaviesmusic
https://www.twitter.com/drewdaviesmusic
https://www.instagram.com/drewdaviesmusic
https://drewdaviesmusic.bandcamp.com