To celebrate the release of his debut album, Where The Wind Blew Me, I chatted with Player Dave about his music and his journey with sobriety.
What do you hope people feel when they listen to your music?
I’ve said this a lot, but I just want my music to be a backing track for self discovery. I don’t really mind what the listener interprets, I can only hope it is introspective and works as a catalyst for growth.
What is the story behind your debut album, Where The Wind Blew Me?
My recent experiences in life, where I’m at now and what that feels like for me, expressed into song.
How did this album come together? What was the process like, and how was it different from your previous projects?
I’ve never made a project at all, I’ve only worked on singles. I wrote the first tune of this album and called it “Where the Wind Blew Me” and I just felt like I had a lot more to say, so I kept writing with that topic in mind.
Your story of personal rehabilitation resonates with me. When you’re having a great time in this industry, it’s so easy to get caught up in a whirlwind and not know how to stop behaviors that are detrimental to your personal and physical health. If you feel comfortable speaking about it, how has that journey of self-growth impacted you creatively?
Creatively I am much more efficient today. I feel something, I get it out, it’s done. Before I would lose shit on my computer because I didn’t remember what I named it, or in a studio session that was drug fueled I just never could quite articulate what I was feeling (cause I was numbed by the feeling). Also my projects would be so messy, coming back to them later was basically impossible. So today everything is just a lot simpler, a lot less error on my part and it makes for higher output of complete ideas.
Tell me about the moment you knew you wanted to be a musician.
Watching School of Rock when I was 5 and seeing Zach Mooneyham. Then years later being introduced to hip-hop.
Which album do you find the most influential to your work, and why?
This answer is always changing. Right now its Renaissance Boy by Galimatias, just because how cohesive it all is, and his taste is just ear candy to me.
When you’re not making music, what do you love to do?
Surf, walk, sunsets, sunrises, and plants.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Stay in gratitude.
What can fans expect from you next?
Whole lot of me exploring my sound, I think that it is always going to be evolving.
Where can we hear from you?
Instagram stories mostly, haha.
Follow Player Dave on Instagram.
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