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Check out our interview with talented OC folk rock artist Colby Davidson who just released his new single/music video “Capture The Wind.”
“‘Capture The Wind’ was written during a time I was feeling pretty alone,” Davidson explains. “I really wanted to get back with my ex but she wasn’t having it, understandably so because I later realized I wasn’t the best boyfriend to her when we dated. So being alone I romanticized the past heavily. I tried to talk with her but it wasn’t going anywhere so this was me saying the balls in your court; you send the first message. I think I wanted to say it in a song and have her hear it. I like to do that, to speak to people through my songs. It’s kind of fun and messed up in a way because it’s a one-sided conversation. I learned that from Dylan.”
Davidson grew up in Santa Cruz, CA and is currently studying at Chapman University in Orange County.
Follow Colby at @colbydavidsonmusic
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Hi Colby, please tell us a little about you?
I am a 23-year-old songwriter, frontman, producer, marketing student, Lord of the Rings fan and lover of making pizza. I front two groups — my roots rock Colby Davidson and my alternative rock band Analogue Spirit. I was born and raised in Northern California but now reside in Orange County attending Chapman University.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Ambitious, thoughtful and serious (most of the time)
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
That’s a hard question to answer. Probably my high school music teacher Jim Stewart, guiding me musically and giving me the discipline to be playing at the level I’m at.
How did you get started in the business?
My mother and father have instilled a love of music in me since birth by testing to see if I remembered a band and song name, as well as by taking me to many live concerts. It wasn’t until 7th grade that I decided to pick up the guitar after listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. Since the beginning, I was writing songs to express myself and creating my own music. I never much liked playing other people’s music. I was part of a few bands as a supporting role until I learned how to lead and from then on I was always the frontman and manager of each group.
Did you go to music school?
I did…three in fact. First was Berklee College of Music’s five-week program in the Summer of 2014. Boston was cool but I couldn’t see myself living there for 4 years. Second was Musicians Institute in Hollywood. I went there for two weeks after graduating high school. I realized the second week in, while they were showing us the major scale, I didn’t need a 50,000 certificate that says I could play guitar. Third is my current university, Chapman. I study Music Technology there and my one-on-one teaching is excellent.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Melancholic, soulful, hopeful
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I chose to make music because I liked the way it made me feel and the actual sound. Lots of people listen to music for different reasons, say their friends listen to it or its popular; I literally just enjoy the way it sounds.
My earliest influences: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan and Pink Floyd
Influences relevant to this act: The Band (My dad is obsessed with The Last Waltz), Bob Dylan (I listened to the compilation cover album Chimes of Freedom an insane amount of times, Neil Young’s Harvest, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Saw them live at Monterey Pop Festival’s 50th anniversary), Mumford & Sons, James Bay, Matt Corby, Rayland Baxter, Houndmouth, and anything coming out of Muscle Shoals
To name all of my influences: Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Nirvana, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Miles Davis, The Band, Death Cab for Cutie, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Fleet Foxes, The Shins, Santana, Bob Dylan, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Rayland Baxter, Rolling Stones, Ravi Shankar, Butterfield Blues Band, Joe Bonamassa, Mumford & Sons, the list really goes on
Do you ever get nervous?
Not anymore. I used to when I was younger, but I know no one is there to judge me and the people there want to have a good time and enjoy the music. No one is hostile and if they were, they wouldn’t be worth your time.
What is your next goal as a musician?
To establish a fan base and tour around the West (or anywhere it may pop up)
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Do you have a tour coming up or where we can see you performing?
I’m hoping to play SXSW so maybe a mini tour there and perhaps a west coast tour this summer from San Diego to Seattle. I do not have dates set in stone as of yet, but you can follow me on Instagram @colbydavidsonmusic where I give updates on shows.
Now tell us about your new single “Capture The Wind?”
“Capture The Wind” was a song I wrote in the early spring of 2016 after I had moved home from the hot heat and sunshine of LA to my hometown of Santa Cruz, CA. I moved back in with my parents, into this backlot, dirt road house and the majority of my friends had moved away. It was dark and I was lonely and I missed my girlfriend from high school and as such began to reminisce about what was, or what appeared to be. She didn’t want to get back together so I wrote a song with that emotion of all or nothing, I can’t live without you. I’ve definitely moved on emotionally from that but I felt it was a good song and when my drummer and confidant Nathan Kingsley and I were discussing what should be my first single, we settled on this.
It was a simple song at first, but I decided this last year to really go in and add moments; you have to make a song interesting and sometimes it’s okay to repeat, but it’s also cool to give the listener something new or unique.
What we can expect of Colby Davidson in 2019/2020?
I have a new single called “Silverado” coming out November 15 to all streaming platforms. It’s a short dreamy romantic song about getting away to the small town of Silverado in the Eastern Hills of OC. You can pre-save that here! And more live footage of my last show.
Here’s the first video for “Roll Me Slowly“. I may release a double single or EP sometime in December. In 2020, you can expect a number of dates and maybe a mini-tour or two as well as singles, EP or an album. I’m supposed to work with a legendary producer at some point when he’s not touring but we will see if something comes of that. Fingers crossed.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
A classic is “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen but right now its “Ophelia” by The Band off of “The Last Waltz.” It’s so funky and groovy…it’s hard not to move to it.
Name one your strengths?
A strength of mine is perseverance. I have continued to create music in the face of opposition from others as well as internally. I’m proud of how far I have come and I am excited about how much more I have to learn.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Happiness is a temporary state of being and is overrated in my opinion. I enjoy being happy but it means nothing without fulfillment and I prioritize fulfillment in my life over happiness. But if I had to choose an action it would be hugging a dog or my mom.
Any loves other than music?
I am a huge nerd, lover of cooking and health. I have read Lord of The Rings five times, I’m reading The Silmarillion right now, I run a DnD campaign and have played a lot of video games. I prefer to cook and over time have become pretty decent. I try and bake a pizza nearly from scratch, I buy the dough, every week with friends. For health, I meditate, work out regularly and do not eat any fast food and prefer only organic.
Any exciting news you want to share with us?
My next single is out November 15th! Please pre-save it and tell your friends! Shout it from the mountain! Check it out here!
I also just released this live video of my last performance of my song “Roll Me Slowly” live from the Gypsy Den.
How’s a typical day in your life?
I’m a fulltime student so my life often revolves around school. I wake up, cook a full breakfast, take a shower and bike to school. After school, I come home and will work on my music by recording, writing, researching or marketing, cook dinner and have some kind of leisure activity. Probably play video games, read, workout or hang out with a friend.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
A perfect Sunday would take place in my hometown. I’d wake up around 10am, make a really good breakfast, go for a hike among the Redwoods, have a sandwich from Surf City Sandwich, relax at the beach and ride bikes, play Mario Kart or Settlers of Catan with my best friends, play a show with my band and then have dinner at Manuel’s Mexican restaurant.
A perfect Sunday in OC would be the same morning minus the hiking, bike around Newport and then have dinner at Pandor in The Orange Circle.
What is your favorite healthy food?
My favorite healthy food would be a chicken pesto sandwich.
And your favorite cheat food?
Favorite cheat food would be warm dutch apple pie with melted vanilla ice cream. The most American dessert.
What would be a deal breaker on a first date?
Lack of maturity. My partner in life has to be someone that has empathy and understands a relationship is a two-way street. As soon as egos get involved and they cannot recognize my side, I’m out.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Jesus Christ. I was raised Catholic although I am no longer a religious person, it would be interesting to A) see if he even existed and B) see if I could be persuaded to believe what he was teaching. I’d argue that he is one of, if not the most, influential person of all time and it would be interesting to see how he would behave and what he would have to say today.
Do you support any charities?
I support and I am involved in a number of charities. My fraternity supports JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and since the partnership began, it has raised over $1.6 million. We give our time every year at their annual walk at Angel Stadium as well as donations. I am currently competing Alpha Phis “Mr. Alpha Phi” competition which pits a representative from each fraternity against one another to see who can raise the most for The Make-A-Wish foundation which so far we’ve raised $400. I’ve done free shows for Camp Kessum as well as B+, both organizations aimed at helping families affected by cancer whether that’s the parent or child. Today I found out about TeamTrees and donated some money to that.
How do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I hope I am a touring musician, creating and sharing the music I love with the world and using my influence and any money I might have to help make the world a better place. I also hope I am engaged to the love of my life and that I have made the lives of at least 10,000 people better through my music.
How would you describe your fashion style?
I would say 70s influenced or modern folk/indie. On a typical day you’ll find me wearing black jeans, brown desert shoes, a black graphic T and a jean jacket. I love what Levis is making currently, older Urban Outfitters and western clothes. On stage I wear my black jeans and desert boots but often a button up shirt with a bolo tie.
What do you think of social media?
I think social media is an incredible tool to either hamper the world or jumpstart it. Social media is one of the only ways for me to connect to fans from around the world I wouldn’t know otherwise. Greta Thunberg and #TeamTrees are both great examples of how social media can mobilize large groups of people for positive change. The bad is that impressionable children and even adults place their value in how many followers they have and cyberbullying is rampant; people are a lot harsher on the internet and say things they wouldn’t say in person. I think this has factored into our countries divide.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @colbyDavidsonMusic
Youtube: Colby Davidson
Spotify: Colby Davidson
Apple Music: Colby Davidson
Favorite Quote: “The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Favorite Song: “Echoes” by Pink Floyd or “Tumbling Dice” by The Rolling Stones
Favorite Movie: The Grand Budapest Hotel or There Will be Blood
Favorite Travel Destination: Maui
Favorite Food: A super burrito from a taqueria in Santa Cruz
Favorite Sports Team: None. I don’t watch sports.
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