That Boi Davy.
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by Q Review Staff
Determination, taste, talent, spark, resilience...these are all words that can easily be used to describe one of indie pop's best kept secrets. Well the secret is out, and Davy Boi is officially here and ready for the world to get to know him and his unique blend of smart Pop, Hip Hop and Dance music. Davy Boi has easily been one of our most exciting discoveries. When I first heard his recent single 'Dirty Mind' I immediately went scouring every corner of the internet to find all I could about, what I feel, is one of the most exciting independent talents currently making music.
From a pure entertainment standpoint, Davy Boi is delivering a music virus - music that is current, relatable, and completely infectious. It makes you want to move. His follow up single 'What U Like' set the seduction stage with a sexy club jam that added even more layers to the artist. But above all, he is making smart music for a wide audience that is radio friendly and on a level that his chart topping peers are releasing. He's the full package with charm that makes you want to know more. So we set out to peel back some of those layers to bring you a story about a boy named Davy.
As a self-made artist, how long have you been making music?
I’ve been training in the performing arts since I was 7 years old. I spent the first 13 years of my life as a performing artist without even making a recording until I was around 20 years old or maybe a bit earlier, around college. I wrote my first song very early around 8 and then it was a part of my first mini musical also around the same time.
What initially drew you to music?
Music was inside of me to be honest. I really can’t say I was drawn to music. I would instead say that I had to release the music out of me, and I knew at an earlier age there was a lot of music ready to be pushed out.
Who are you inspired by?
Currently I’m really inspired by my peers in music & hit-makers who’ve been making major moves for a while but have also been encouraging to me personally. Jesse Saint John, Robokid, Siena Liggins, & more on the scene and then certainly Lizzo who is just the breakout star of 2019. She has really become a beacon for someone having a pop career and living their truth aloud and also boldly showing us all what self-love can look like.
What is your creative process for writing?
To me everything starts with a feeling tone, so when I get a sensation internally about a particular idea it kind of rings in my ear and starts buzzing like “write me, write me, write me...” and this happens either in a session with my producer or it could be like in the shower or at the Trader Joe’s market. My goal then is to work on the melody and shape it just right and then get the lyrics to sit in the melody but also match that feeling tone that I want the listener to catch when they hear it for the first time. I hope they can have that same giddy feeling or gut punch I got when I had this vibe that had to written. Then once most of that is settled I work with my producer to shape the tracks. I don’t just get beats and then write on top, when I go to work with a producer there’s nothing in the Ableton or Logic session. It’s just my idea and then we start picking sounds and my producer(s) begin to chase my vision for the track but also add in their musical genius to lay down a great pop progression or layered sound. Then the last piece is getting the vox & the mix right and then mastering so that it’s presented in a way people can listen to on repeat.
You've previously collaborated with others like Dai Burger and Drebae. How did those collaborations come about?
With Dai it came about by my business & creative consultant River Gallo (also best friend). He had known Dai Burger from the NYC scene as he’s an east coast City Boi & Jersey Girl. We were looking for rappers to collaborate with and had reached out to a couple but then I heard Dai and just wanted her voice on the track and her verse ended up being the final layer of buttercream on Dirty Mind. Now we are really great friends and she’s a real homie and gives me great career advice. DreBae I found via a Billboard article and then knew that he was a Bay Area boy, as am I, and so I had hit up some other east coast queer rappers but thought I really really wanted a Bay Area Boi collaboration and he laid down a verse.
Are you looking at any other artists in particular for future collaborations?
Of course. I have great long list going now but I’ll share with you a few. I like to work with Jesse Saint John, Robokid, Sienna Liggins, Pablo Vittar, Charli XCX, Kim Petras, Steve Lacy, Serpentwithfeet, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and my all-time dream right now would be Ariana Grande.
Determination, taste, talent, spark, resilience...these are all words that can easily be used to describe one of indie pop's best kept secrets. Well the secret is out, and Davy Boi is officially here and ready for the world to get to know him and his unique blend of smart Pop, Hip Hop and Dance music. Davy Boi has easily been one of our most exciting discoveries. When I first heard his recent single 'Dirty Mind' I immediately went scouring every corner of the internet to find all I could about, what I feel, is one of the most exciting independent talents currently making music.
From a pure entertainment standpoint, Davy Boi is delivering a music virus - music that is current, relatable, and completely infectious. It makes you want to move. His follow up single 'What U Like' set the seduction stage with a sexy club jam that added even more layers to the artist. But above all, he is making smart music for a wide audience that is radio friendly and on a level that his chart topping peers are releasing. He's the full package with charm that makes you want to know more. So we set out to peel back some of those layers to bring you a story about a boy named Davy.
As a self-made artist, how long have you been making music?
I’ve been training in the performing arts since I was 7 years old. I spent the first 13 years of my life as a performing artist without even making a recording until I was around 20 years old or maybe a bit earlier, around college. I wrote my first song very early around 8 and then it was a part of my first mini musical also around the same time.
What initially drew you to music?
Music was inside of me to be honest. I really can’t say I was drawn to music. I would instead say that I had to release the music out of me, and I knew at an earlier age there was a lot of music ready to be pushed out.
Who are you inspired by?
Currently I’m really inspired by my peers in music & hit-makers who’ve been making major moves for a while but have also been encouraging to me personally. Jesse Saint John, Robokid, Siena Liggins, & more on the scene and then certainly Lizzo who is just the breakout star of 2019. She has really become a beacon for someone having a pop career and living their truth aloud and also boldly showing us all what self-love can look like.
What is your creative process for writing?
To me everything starts with a feeling tone, so when I get a sensation internally about a particular idea it kind of rings in my ear and starts buzzing like “write me, write me, write me...” and this happens either in a session with my producer or it could be like in the shower or at the Trader Joe’s market. My goal then is to work on the melody and shape it just right and then get the lyrics to sit in the melody but also match that feeling tone that I want the listener to catch when they hear it for the first time. I hope they can have that same giddy feeling or gut punch I got when I had this vibe that had to written. Then once most of that is settled I work with my producer to shape the tracks. I don’t just get beats and then write on top, when I go to work with a producer there’s nothing in the Ableton or Logic session. It’s just my idea and then we start picking sounds and my producer(s) begin to chase my vision for the track but also add in their musical genius to lay down a great pop progression or layered sound. Then the last piece is getting the vox & the mix right and then mastering so that it’s presented in a way people can listen to on repeat.
You've previously collaborated with others like Dai Burger and Drebae. How did those collaborations come about?
With Dai it came about by my business & creative consultant River Gallo (also best friend). He had known Dai Burger from the NYC scene as he’s an east coast City Boi & Jersey Girl. We were looking for rappers to collaborate with and had reached out to a couple but then I heard Dai and just wanted her voice on the track and her verse ended up being the final layer of buttercream on Dirty Mind. Now we are really great friends and she’s a real homie and gives me great career advice. DreBae I found via a Billboard article and then knew that he was a Bay Area boy, as am I, and so I had hit up some other east coast queer rappers but thought I really really wanted a Bay Area Boi collaboration and he laid down a verse.
Are you looking at any other artists in particular for future collaborations?
Of course. I have great long list going now but I’ll share with you a few. I like to work with Jesse Saint John, Robokid, Sienna Liggins, Pablo Vittar, Charli XCX, Kim Petras, Steve Lacy, Serpentwithfeet, Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and my all-time dream right now would be Ariana Grande.
What's been the most frustrating part of working in music for you?
Not having a big enough budget to pay creatives the type of money they really deserve. It’s so hard being a DIY, trying to cut through the noise online with new content & new music and just not having the resources to create what you envision always. Then also the guilt I sometimes feel when I’m only able to pay creative friends of mine under their rate when I know their work is genius. That being said, that’s why I need fans and I’m building an audience so that I can earn enough money to support all of this and make it sustainable.
You've released 3 singles so far this year. What has been the biggest surprise for you?
The reaction to “What U Like”. In terms of pace, “What U Like” outpaced “Dirty Mind” in popularity for a while and I was shocked that so many people liked that because it was kind of a departure from “Dirty Mind” but also it was the same artist in a different space. Nobody in press wanted to cover it. I sent out like 20 pitch emails on it and didn’t even hear back. Could be because I wasn’t very popular at the time but fans out there liked it and it was in over 100 user generated playlists within a few weeks. Also I was pleasantly surprised that NewNowNext & Billboard gave me a wink and a thumbs up for “Dirty Mind”. I knew it was my favorite pop track I’d made but I wasn’t expecting those two huge moments because I hadn’t pitched either.
You've also got an exciting appearance coming up at QueerX Fest. What does that entail and how are you preparing?
I’m performing at Opening night along with Spotify stream king Jordy & queer scene icon Brooke Candy at the Legendary Whisky A Go-Go & it’s just going to be a huge industry event with special guests, etc. Also the 3rd day I’m speaking on an industry panel about emerging queer talent in music & premiering my music video “Dirty Mind”.
You're about to release your latest single 'Foundation'. What is the song about?
"Foundation" is about personal growth & self-confidence. From Dirty Mind feat. Dai Burger, a track about da sexy pitfalls of seeking connections in an app based avatar culture, on to “Foundation”! I’m putting the phone down and looking up in the mirror at the same beautiful man but with a whole new outlook... a new foundation.
You'll also be releasing your compilation EP "Errything So Far" in June. Is this strictly already released material or will there be any new material?
“errything so far” is actually strictly a compilation but I’m very excited. Essentially when I was planning out 2019 I had all of these songs ready to go for February, but because I realized I had so little material out there and people really needed to get a chance to know me, I was going to chop the EP up into singles and drip it out and see what new fans gravitate to and allow them to explore me. So “Foundation” is the final piece and then I’ll be announcing my next single the week after “errything so far” is released. It’s also a way of giving people who discovered me at “what u like” or “dirty mind” a chance to get caught up because “I See You’ & “Do What You Gotta Do” are still on my page but at the time I didn’t have as big a profile.
Not having a big enough budget to pay creatives the type of money they really deserve. It’s so hard being a DIY, trying to cut through the noise online with new content & new music and just not having the resources to create what you envision always. Then also the guilt I sometimes feel when I’m only able to pay creative friends of mine under their rate when I know their work is genius. That being said, that’s why I need fans and I’m building an audience so that I can earn enough money to support all of this and make it sustainable.
You've released 3 singles so far this year. What has been the biggest surprise for you?
The reaction to “What U Like”. In terms of pace, “What U Like” outpaced “Dirty Mind” in popularity for a while and I was shocked that so many people liked that because it was kind of a departure from “Dirty Mind” but also it was the same artist in a different space. Nobody in press wanted to cover it. I sent out like 20 pitch emails on it and didn’t even hear back. Could be because I wasn’t very popular at the time but fans out there liked it and it was in over 100 user generated playlists within a few weeks. Also I was pleasantly surprised that NewNowNext & Billboard gave me a wink and a thumbs up for “Dirty Mind”. I knew it was my favorite pop track I’d made but I wasn’t expecting those two huge moments because I hadn’t pitched either.
You've also got an exciting appearance coming up at QueerX Fest. What does that entail and how are you preparing?
I’m performing at Opening night along with Spotify stream king Jordy & queer scene icon Brooke Candy at the Legendary Whisky A Go-Go & it’s just going to be a huge industry event with special guests, etc. Also the 3rd day I’m speaking on an industry panel about emerging queer talent in music & premiering my music video “Dirty Mind”.
You're about to release your latest single 'Foundation'. What is the song about?
"Foundation" is about personal growth & self-confidence. From Dirty Mind feat. Dai Burger, a track about da sexy pitfalls of seeking connections in an app based avatar culture, on to “Foundation”! I’m putting the phone down and looking up in the mirror at the same beautiful man but with a whole new outlook... a new foundation.
You'll also be releasing your compilation EP "Errything So Far" in June. Is this strictly already released material or will there be any new material?
“errything so far” is actually strictly a compilation but I’m very excited. Essentially when I was planning out 2019 I had all of these songs ready to go for February, but because I realized I had so little material out there and people really needed to get a chance to know me, I was going to chop the EP up into singles and drip it out and see what new fans gravitate to and allow them to explore me. So “Foundation” is the final piece and then I’ll be announcing my next single the week after “errything so far” is released. It’s also a way of giving people who discovered me at “what u like” or “dirty mind” a chance to get caught up because “I See You’ & “Do What You Gotta Do” are still on my page but at the time I didn’t have as big a profile.
With Pride season here, will you be performing live in the coming months? What's been your favorite performance so far to date?
You know I’ve been a performer my entire life but when I went back to school for the music business and then took years off from being a working artist I just didn’t perform. QueerX is my return to form and so I know it’s already my most favorite. I’m booked for 2 more big unannounced shows in June & July and those are being announced soon but I’m just blessed to be booked. My goal is to be on tour with Kim Petras or Lizzo or artists like that so I’m just warming up and I thrive in that medium so I’m excited.
What does the rest of the year look like for you? Will there be more releases?
New single and more soul music which feels like the most core version of me outside of musical theatre is coming in July and then I’d like to have an official EP come up in September or October. My main goal is to look for a professional team, adding a manager, AN AGENT, looking for another content person, working with more producers. I’m trying to set the stage to be a breakout artist for 2020.
At this point you've been fairly busy releasing your singles and you've been very active promoting your music. What’s an average day like for you?
Wow on an average day I spend 8 hours on marketing campaigns & content for other artists for my day job at an indie label then I go home and spend 4 hours or more on my own project doing essentially the same thing. Then I go to the gym & swing by Whole Foods. Go to bed & then do it all over again.
Having been doing this awhile now, what advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Be patient, be kind, work on making yourself the best artist you possibly can, develop or foster good taste, identify the best parts of who you are as an artist & person and make that your brand DNA. Lastly, build GOOD relationships and maintain them. Connections and relationships get you everywhere in this business because talent, charisma, and beauty are always valued but you want to be the person someone wants to do a favor for or call a homie. This business is all about friendships over time.
What's one last thing you want listeners to know about you?
I’m in this for long haul and I truly feel it’s my calling. I want people to know I’m only just warming up. I want them to know they’ve never really heard me sing and that when they do I want them to be in the crowd near the front of the stage so I can look at their beautiful faces. I want people to know that no matter what your intersections are, and mine are black, albino, formerly at a challenging & unhealthy weight, and queer none of your perceived challenges or barriers to success should be a reason or excuse for you to not run full steam like Forrest Gump toward your dreams.
Davy Boi's new single 'Foundation' will be released on May 31st on all platforms.
Follow on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify
You know I’ve been a performer my entire life but when I went back to school for the music business and then took years off from being a working artist I just didn’t perform. QueerX is my return to form and so I know it’s already my most favorite. I’m booked for 2 more big unannounced shows in June & July and those are being announced soon but I’m just blessed to be booked. My goal is to be on tour with Kim Petras or Lizzo or artists like that so I’m just warming up and I thrive in that medium so I’m excited.
What does the rest of the year look like for you? Will there be more releases?
New single and more soul music which feels like the most core version of me outside of musical theatre is coming in July and then I’d like to have an official EP come up in September or October. My main goal is to look for a professional team, adding a manager, AN AGENT, looking for another content person, working with more producers. I’m trying to set the stage to be a breakout artist for 2020.
At this point you've been fairly busy releasing your singles and you've been very active promoting your music. What’s an average day like for you?
Wow on an average day I spend 8 hours on marketing campaigns & content for other artists for my day job at an indie label then I go home and spend 4 hours or more on my own project doing essentially the same thing. Then I go to the gym & swing by Whole Foods. Go to bed & then do it all over again.
Having been doing this awhile now, what advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Be patient, be kind, work on making yourself the best artist you possibly can, develop or foster good taste, identify the best parts of who you are as an artist & person and make that your brand DNA. Lastly, build GOOD relationships and maintain them. Connections and relationships get you everywhere in this business because talent, charisma, and beauty are always valued but you want to be the person someone wants to do a favor for or call a homie. This business is all about friendships over time.
What's one last thing you want listeners to know about you?
I’m in this for long haul and I truly feel it’s my calling. I want people to know I’m only just warming up. I want them to know they’ve never really heard me sing and that when they do I want them to be in the crowd near the front of the stage so I can look at their beautiful faces. I want people to know that no matter what your intersections are, and mine are black, albino, formerly at a challenging & unhealthy weight, and queer none of your perceived challenges or barriers to success should be a reason or excuse for you to not run full steam like Forrest Gump toward your dreams.
Davy Boi's new single 'Foundation' will be released on May 31st on all platforms.
Follow on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Spotify
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