No stranger to the music business, Drew Davis has returned with his second solo album due later this year and a brilliant new single titled ‘The Comeback’ which is out now. We find out a little bit more about Davies as he answers our questions.
Give us a potted history of yourself
It’s been about 20 years. I started singing in bands at University in Leeds, my first notable band was The Mercy House; we won a national song contest with Kerrang! to have our music on Guitar Hero and got support from Iron Maiden on BBC6 music. After a great run playing at Download, Bloodstock and multiple tours (international and domestic) that band went on hiatus. After which I worked in studios for a number of years and did co-writing and teaching before I started releasing music as a solo artist. My first album got a lot of support in alternative press like Clash, Wonderland and BBC Introducing; I was building momentum with London shows before Covid hit pretty much the day I released my debut album.
I spent most of Covid setting up a home studio and writing and recording the music I’m releasing now; my main focus was to fuse the alternative electronics and songwriter elements of my first album with the harder distortion driven sounds of my earlier work in bands. I feel like I’ve created something distinctly ‘me’ and I’m excited to share it with the internet and wider world both at live shows and online.
Who inspired you to start making music
My mother and grandmother were musicians so I always had it around me. In terms of inspiration I can remember Queen being hugely influential on me; the energy and excitement of their live shows and their ability to blend pop and rock in retrospect was something that really lit a fire in me.
Funnily I remember seeing the Darkness aged 18 in a small Wolverhampton venue (pre I believe) and deciding that that was what I wanted to do. High adventure on the seven seas of rock and roll!
And the one or maybe two records that inspired you artistically
Many records have inspired me but I think on this record I really wanted to get my own brand of digital warmth onto the sound Ala John Grants ‘Love is Magic’ – that record blew me away. I think also the spin off collaborations between Reznor and Bowie on Earthling played some part. There’s many many more as each song is kind of its own world.
If you’re trying to explain who you sound like to someone that’s never heard you, what do you say
Post apocalyptic, casio fuelled rock and roll for societies malcontents (tongue firmly in cheek)
Tell us about your new track
The Comeback was a song written for a friend coming out of a very dark period of his life. Whilst writing it I found the correlations with my own experience. Breaking free from dependency and individuals draining you of your positive energy. It’s a redemptive story about rising again.
I used a DX7 amped through numerous distortion pedals and a specific microamp. Coupling that with generous amounts of David Lynch inspired strings; a theme across the record. I was lucky to have great players assist; a particular nod has to go to my great friend and long time musical compadre Chris Haddleton for his guitar solo and lead work. Notable mentions to Dion Palumbo and Andrei Illie for the phenomenal rhythm section too.
I chose this track as it’s a fitting soundtrack for my return post Covid with new sound in hand.
Check it out here
Where can we get hold of it
It’s available on all digital platforms and my Bandcamp where you can buy vinyl, T shirts and cassettes!
Tell us how you write
As this is my solo music I write all the structures, lyrics, melodies and arrangements. I brought in musical friends on this record however and asked them to express themselves based on the demos and songs I’d written. So they all put their flavour onto the tracks; with Dion it was his palm muted style bass playing, Andrei with his unique fills and Chris with his lead lines.
Tell us about your live show What would be your dream gig
There’s numerous bands I’d love to support, both small and large. Bleachers, Big Black Delta, Kirin Calinan and TVAM, The Horrors would be amazing. Also classic acts like The Cure, Sisters of Metcy, NiN would be a dream or Faith no More!
What can we expect from you in the near future
I’m back and I’m going to be putting out music and art projects for most of 2023. Keep your eyes peeled on late March. I’ll be playing shows with my full live band throughout the year. Tune into my socials for news and new dates.
Tell us your favourite records that’s rocking your headphones/tour bus / stereo
I really enjoyed Taylor Swifts latest, Midnights, I hadn’t listened to her music much before but its a great record. I really enjoy The Night Games self titled first record, I was late to the party on it but liked that a lot. Enos Apollo is always on rotation, classical composers of the Baroque, Bach and Mozart. I rediscovered some David Lee Roth records recently too in the spirit of fun. Got to shout out the London band Giant Party too who’s debut album is incoming. Amazing band.
My Socials
https://www.drewdaviesmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/drewdaviesmusic
https://www.instagram.com/drewdaviesmusic
https://drewdaviesmusic.bandcamp.com/
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