Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I’m David Quinn. I have been making music for as long as I can remember. My mom bought me my first guitar when I was 8. Though it collected dust until I hit the age of 11. I was in need of a creative expression, where there were no rules, only limitless freedom. The power of making your own sound was just such a cool concept to me. So I picked up the guitar and taught myself. I couldn’t stand the idea of somebody telling me how to play my own music. So I never took lessons.
My rhythm came from an early onset of rapping. My best friend across the street could beatbox pretty damn good. So at the age of 12, we would go out and he would beatbox, making cool bass sounds, and I would freestyle to whatever I would see. People walking by, fancy cars driving, even the weather on that day, charming my little twelve year old ego.
I kept my musical cards close to my chest for over a decade only showing a select few. Then out of nowhere, I began to showcase what I had been keeping hidden to the world.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world?
A: Promote it on social media. This is key. Then I pitch my content to curators on spotify. This allows my song (if accepted) to be shuffled into playlists. Sometimes these playlists have thousands of monthly listeners. Also the power of performing live cannot be understated. Lounges, bars or even clubs are my next climb to increase recognition.
What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “David Quinn”?
Be ready for music to be stuck in your head for days and having lyrics that you can relate to or just simply enjoy vibing to. My music is a reflection of my creativity. With over 60 songs, I make catchy hooks, and try to be an unconventional artist, always experimenting with new sounds.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: For rap, it is Mac Miller. For Rock it is a combination of Kurt Cobain, Billie Joe from Greenday and Chris Cornell from Audioslave. These guys know how to control a stage and make their own unique sound, not caring about the material ethics of music.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “Credit Card Number.”?
A: I was at a cottage with one of my best friends, as two single bachelors we began to scroll through a dating app. We came across a profile. She had a prompt stating; one thing I would love to know about you… She answered “Your Credit Card Number.” We both laughed and thought nothing of it. But as the night progressed, our creativity started to show. I had a riff from a previous song I made. I began playing an old guitar riff I had from a few years ago and randomly the words Credit Card Number began to pop into my head. Like a light switch in a dark room, ideas began to pop out. My friend joined in, singing the harmony. After a minute I was singing “Why does she want my credit card number?” I began writing the rest of the song when I got home. Everything just came together after that.
The message is from personal experience, it’s about knowing your value in life. Not to spend your heart and money on people who wouldn’t do the same for you. So these lyrics came naturally to me.
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: Human
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “Credit Card Number”?
A: Credit Card Number took a total of 50 hours to produce. This was from the songwriting, the practicing, the recording and mixing. Most artists don’t tell you, but the reason most songs take so long is because they focus on making them sound big and because you have to record parts multiple times. The main hook, “Why does she want my credit card number?” had 5 vocals layered making it sound full. I sang it once, making it sound like I was in the center. Then again, making me sound like I was on the right and another time feeling as if I was on the left. All in all, my voice began to fill up the “stage.” But that wasn’t it. I had to record the harmony of the vocal then for the fifth layer was the high octave. So what you hear is five vocals compressed into one melody. The challenge? Getting the timing, pitch and pronunciation right each and every time.. That was the tricky part.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: The message is simple. Making things that are meaningful where someone can truly feel the lyrics and relate. And to produce something that is catchy, where they can’t get out of their head, and sing it all day.
And what are your goals as an artist?
A:Like most musicians my goal is to be recognized and respected as an artist. However my main goal is slightly more specific. I want to bring out my family and friends on stage with me. The people who always believed in me and supported me since day one. I will tell the crowd. “I am a musician, but I won’t be anything without these people standing on stage with me. So on the count of three I want you to scream, you are awesome!”
And on the count of three, thousands of fans will be screaming that they are awesome. And that is my version of giving back to them, for all their endless support.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: Kurt Cobain would be a legendary figure to jam with and bounce rock riffs off of. Or playing a riff for Chris Cornell and having him sing over top of it. And rapping with Mac Miller would be beyond cool.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: This is a key question. In today’s world it has never been easier to make music. I really mean that. However, it is also one of the hardest times to get recognized as a musician. It’s a strange time to be a musician. With AI slop on the rise and social media shaping the attention span of everyone, as an independent artist, you cannot survive being a musician alone. You have to wear multiple hats. To be successful you have to be a marketer, promoter and your own manager at first. Being a musician is just the main act. My advice, go out meet people who have specialized skills like videography so they can shoot music videos and help you with editing. Also practice outside. Literally go outside and just practice. Play stuff in music stores, just get out of your comfort zone and build up your skill set. Learn how to play and sing in front of people. That is key.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: Stop doing drugs and spending money on short term pleasures. Focus on what you are naturally gifted at, which is music and make a future that your future self would be proud of.
