Being signed to Violator Records & Management, known for Diddy, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes and Dr Dre. Touring with 50 Cent and remixing your debut single with Erick Morillo. Yep thats what David John has done and it is only just the beginning for this artist from Scotland. Let’s find out more!
SO David, how did you first get started in music?
I pretty much started when i was a kid… One of my first memories was my Dad playing and singing along to Elvis, Steve Wonder, Jackie Wilson and Roy Orbison. Even at a young age I just loved it, sometimes it’s just in your bones. As i grew up, I started to sing, then in high school I was the front man in a band and wrote most of the songs. This helped me learn the craft of songwriting and develop my own style, which is essentially pop R&B, with a bit of a dance and Hip Hop influence.That made starting out harder, as Glasgow and Scotland have such a guitar and indie/rock scene, but I knew needed to stay true to myself and do it for the love of the music.
From being talent scouted, to sending in your demo tape? Sounds a whirlwind, what was going through your head at that moment?
(David was scouted whilst on holiday performing with his band at the time)
At that moment, I was just in a daze. I mean, in my wildest dreams i couldn’t have imagined my demos being played in NY and with VIOLATOR and everyone involved. It’s nuts!! But the truth is that’s just the start of your journey and the real work began once i’d been signed. Its been a fantastic experience so far and my label and Violator have been really supportive and have shown great faith in me and given me the tools to get my songs heard.
Who or what is your inspiration?
My family for a start and you would have to say guys like Calvin Harris and Paulo Nutini from a Scottish point of view and of course the legends like Michael Jackson.
You have been working with some legendary producers and writers, who has been your favourite to work with so far?
Erick Morillo remixing Mr Fantastic was nuts – the guy is a legend and still going strong. I saw him play Ibiza a few years back and never thought he would be remixing one of my tracks, nevermind featuring it on his album with him and SYMPHO NYMPHO!! I also enjoyed getting in the studio with Lil Eddie and also Jay Shaw Champion – that guy is unreal in the studio, the way he can put things together.. I really learned a lot from him.
Touring with 50 cent, what was he like?
I was intimidated when I first met him… He gave me this serious look, I didn’t know what was coming, it all went quiet and then he just started laughing and was really friendly and supportive. By the time we went out on tour, we’d hung out a few times and he’s a really nice and supportive guy.
If you could do a collaboration with anyone, who is on your hitlist?
In the UK, it would be Plan B, Example, Calvin Harris or Tinie Tempah. In the US, 50, Diddy or Drake!
Do you see yourself staying in the UK after working in America?
Yes, I split my time between the UK and the US, I’ve been spending a lot of time in London these days. But home is where the heart is and that will always be Scotland.
David John’s debut single out now
What would you say you’re bringing in your music that’s different from other artists?
I would say the way that the songs are written and structured. They balance a feel good vibe with a good lyrical story and plot.
Your debut single Mr Fantastic has just been released, what three things make you Mr Fantastic?
Oh man, you’re asking the wrong guy! That’s why i had to imagine it and and write about it!
Right OK…
1) I treat others as I would wish to treated myself.
2) I do a lot of gigs for charity!!
3) There is a free DJ download song for everybody that likes my facebook fan page… ha!
What is next for David John?
Well, the second single is coming out soon. I’m working on it as we speak and I’m really looking forward to getting it out there, especially off the back of the success of Mr Fantastic – this is just the beginning…
Follow David John on Facebook or Twitter. Check out his new video below.
[youtube width=”520″ height=”293″ video_id=”WDLJ6tx-QeE”]
— Thanks to David John —
Background
Born and raised just outside of Glasgow, singer-songwriter David had nearly given up on his dream of stardom, when a chance meeting on holiday changed his life forever. Spotted by an A&R whilst playing with his friend’s band, David was asked to send in a demo (duly recorded in his friend’s tiny garage in Ayrshire) and within days of sending it off, he was summoned to New York and immediately signed to Violator. David’s feet haven’t touched the ground since. He’s been recording in New York and Atlanta with legendary producers and writers such as Maddscientist (Leona Lewis, Mario, Nicole Sherzinger), Grammy award-winning Heavy D & The Boyz, Jayshawn Champion (R. Kelly, Faith Evans, Usher) and Corey Chorus Gibson (Babyface, Diddy, Rodney Jerkins). In the summer of 2010, 50 Cent was so impressed with David’s early demos, that he personally invited David to support him on his sold-out European stadium tour. David-John has just released his debut single Mr Fantastic and been described “One To Watch.” – The Sun
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