December 3 saw the premiere of the song 'Just One Day' by the amazing artist David Gould, who hails from Amsterdam, Netherlands. The production is very important for the artist, because it made David interested in many media. 'Just One Day' is a Christmas song that was written during last year's winter lockdown for the artist's family and friends. It has to be said that this is a wonderful gesture from David Gould, who wanted to please his loved ones at this difficult time. I think that after this introduction, you will be more eager to read what David shared with me during the interview.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Hey David Gould, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
Nice to meet you Kamil. Well, without trying to sound too self impressed, I think that my guitar playing stands out amongst my peers; I've been playing since I was 9 years old, and while I trained classically, you can hear the folk, rock and pop influences in what I play. I also think I have an ear for a good melody, and a knack for learning new instruments quickly - I play everything that you hear on my records.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
Typically I’m aiming for acoustic focused songs with interesting arrangements, whether that be mixing orchestral strings with a folky guitar, or a piano line with electronic drums, I’m always trying to take a more traditional song structure in an interesting sonic direction. In fact, I’d say that my latest single ‘Just One Day’ is fairly atypical of my sound since it’s deliberately retro and nostalgic in feel, trying to ape the Phil Spector wall-of-sound vibe (and also no guitar in sight).
Your latest track is 'Just One Day'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
'Just One Day’ is my ode to the classic Christmas songs that I grew up with from the likes of Wizzard and Phil Spector. It was written back in the winter of 2020 when we were all in lockdown. In actually, it was composed as a gift for my family and close friends since we weren’t seeing each other that year due to the restrictions of the pandemic. So I wrote and recorded it at my flat in Amsterdam and sent it as a sort of Christmas card, not intending to release it to the wider world. However after a year of encouragement from my family I decided it was time for other people to hear it. I hope everyone can resonate with the melancholy but hopeful message written from the depths of a darker time.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Ha, well, music is such a huge part of my life, whether it’s playing, listening or business, that I don’t have much more time for other hobbies. When I do have the time, I love cinema and art. I wish I could tell you that I’m well read, but there’s 100s of unfinished novels on my bookshelf screaming for my attention. Oh and of course the vices of artisan liquor and Texas hold ‘em poker, but maybe the less said about that the better?
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
Almost immeasurably. There’s sort of a double-edged sword where access to music is greater than it’s ever been. You can hear basically everything that’s ever been recorded in human history at a click of a button. You can indulge in every genre from any period and any part of the world with very little gatekeeping. However, this seems to have come with a commodification of music like no other era - an artist can be exposed much more readily and easier than before, but artists are also finding it much harder to make a living while record labels are making a killing. There needs to be a reckoning in the coming years, else artists will be too busy having to make a living elsewhere that they don’t have time to make the art.
What are you doing to ensure you continue to grow and develop as an artist?
In terms of artistic development I’m always challenging myself with how I write and perform my compositions. Perhaps I’ll take an unusual scale or chord and build a song around that while trying to still make it sonorous and melodic. Or with my voice I’ll write in registers that I’m usually uncomfortable with in order to force me in a new direction. I think the best composers and artists are able to meld aspects of what we find comfortable in a musical form with newer more challenging elements. This is what I strive for, too.
If you could go open a show for any artist who would it be?
The first name that comes to mind is Radiohead. I have a melancholic affinity with everything they produce (and I also think their crowd would like my music too).
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
Ha, well, there was this one time at band camp…In all seriousness I suppose when I was mugged at knifepoint when camping near Amsterdam. It was the tail end of a long holiday, the last night in fact, and I’d already spent all my money and had my phone stolen. When my friend and I were walking to our campsite at night a man jumped out of the bushes with a knife asking for our phones and money, neither of which I had. Angry at our apparent frivolity he started pressing the knife into my midriff. Fortunately it was at this time that a police officer appeared from nowhere and saved our bacon. A night in questioning at the police station meant we barely caught our train home the next morning.
What made you want to become a musician?
I can’t honestly remember a time when music wasn’t the centre of my world. It’s not really a “want”, it’s more a compulsion to create music and share it with others. I feel pretty naked if my guitar isn’t close by.
What are your plans for next year? Do you have any productions ready to be released?
The plans are to release many many singles. I have two music videos nearing completion, one of them animated, and hope to release them early next year. Also, if circumstances in Europe change a little more, I hope to perform live more often. Let’s cross our fingers on that one.