Singer|Songwriter|Guitarist YouTube sensation with a 7 Octave range. From arena touring Europe with Elvis Presley’s bandmate of 1000+ shows to Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios all while amassing millions of views/streams on his music David is breaking into the music industry quickly. Catch him currently performing shows in Los Angeles at the prestigious Molly Malones (venue Bruno Mars got his start). David’s newest original song ‘journey’ just dropped on all platforms last Friday and now has a music video on YouTube.
What first got you into music?
I was interested in music and probably singing since I was a child but was too self-conscious to pursue it; I got into it all pretty late in the game. I actually used to skateboard for a living from about 11 years old to about 22, that was my first passion. at 23 I was at a bar where a friend’s mom was playing. I never sang publicly at this point and my friend made me go up with him to sing after we’d been drinking. after I sat back down at the bar someone said to me, “hey man where do you normally do shows?” and that blew my mind. I almost didn’t know what to make of it because I always wanted to sing and to now have someone genuinely assume I was already doing it professionally from my first public attempt felt pretty insane. I then got into the collegiate acapella scene and ended up doing that professionally pretty quickly at Disney and with some internationally touring groups because I could sing the bass part well which is pretty rare/in demand. from there I got a full-ride scholarship to a classical school and from there went to Berklee college of music (John Mayer, Charlie Puth, etc.) to study songwriting.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
I get inspired by so many different acts that each tune I write ends up sounding pretty unique so it’s tough to say. my newest tune ‘journey’ has kinda folky acoustic vibes; she’s completely stripped back with just 2 raw tracks, one vocal and one guitar.
My first release was a full band with all my incredible Berklee homies. it’s got a trumpet, Josh Lamkin on guitar, Kevin barber on bass, my dad on sax and some trap drums I made with Mario Garraffo. that one has more of a pop funky soul fusion sound. My next release coming out hopefully in early December has kind of an early Ed Sheeran from his hip-hop phase feel. I get bored I suppose and don’t want to feel like I’m in a box.
Where have you performed?
I’ve performed as a soloist at the malmö arena in Sweden and a lot of other arenas around Europe with Elvis Presley’s bandmate of 1000+ shows in a tribute show. I played a solo acoustic show at hard rock live Orlando, planet Hollywood, Disney, and that bracket earlier this year. I just recently played a solo original show at Molly Malones in la, Bruno Mars got his start there apparently. the house sound engineer mixing me actually ran sound for Bruno as well back then, nice guy.
Do you have any upcoming shows?
I do! I’m playing a private party later today. a wedding later this week. the next big shows I have are gonna be next year where I’ll be playing a handful of different festivals with my original band, I’ll post all those dates on my Instagram soon so make sure to follow me there if you’re out there trying to catch me.
How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?
It’s definitely made my career possible. I don’t think I’d be doing exactly what I want this early if ever even if it wasn’t for the power it has given me. The best shows I’ve ever been called for usually find me on YouTube. I was on the front page of YouTube last June. they told me and that was definitely a surprise.
What is your favorite song to perform?
Anything original definitely seems the most purposeful. maybe my song that comes out next, it’s called “where have you been”. it’s a pretty wildly dynamic tune. either that or sound of silence by disturbed. check out my mixed/mastered video of that on my YouTube channel, it’s still doing pretty well.
What led you to become a music artist and what advice can you give to others aspiring to make a hit?
Enjoying singing alone and then around others I suppose is where it all snowballed from.
Just keep writing, just keep writing *dory’s voice*
Ed Sheeran says it’s like a dirty old faucet. don’t turn it on and turn it off quickly, you need to keep running it and you will get to the good stuff. as for how to get a “hit”, I’ll let you know when I get one ahah
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition?
I think it’s really a mindset thing. it has never felt like a competition to me personally but I know that is how it is perceived often by many and I definitely think that can mess you up. a friend of mine who sings for a lot of a level artists says they wish they had the joy that singing pours out of me still because they lost it. it is easy to lose that joy when you start making money and it becomes your career I believe because of our egos and comparisons. I definitely lost the joy of skateboarding after doing it for a living for some time but it ended up helping me to remember not to make the same mistakes with music. remembering why you started is the key to continued growth without burning out. I started skateboarding and singing because they were the most fun things I could think of. to simply roll around on a piece of wood with wheels or the resonating feeling in your chest you get when singing a note in an echoey room. you’re going to make your best work when you are having the most fun. following that will lead you to your destined success.
Are you planning any videos for your music?
I just released my first music video on my YouTube channel last week!
and definitely more to come:)
When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
My goal is to heal and change the musical landscape of the world at a magnitude greater than Elvis. When I toured arenas internationally with Elvis’s bandmate of over 1000 shows in 2019 and he told me he thought I had the potential to be greater. I didn’t know how to take that at that time but I think I believe him now.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your current releases?
Learning to do everything on my own, was my goal for this newest release. written, recorded, mixed, and mastered by yours truly:)
If we were to peek over your shoulder, what does your studio look like? What gear do you typically use? What kind of recording facilities do you have at home?
Well, I live in a luxury van full-time. she’s built out to be truly a full amenity apartment inside. the music studio in the van consists of a few of my favorite mics (condensers and dynamic), apollo twin thunderbolt (what I have heard to be the best interface for someone who only needs two tracks), MacBook Pro, logic pro x, I have a big 4k tv I use as a monitor, full size keyboard with weighted keys and midi capabilities, a couple of guitars, ukulele, rc – 30 xl loop station, and some bose speakers. there’s a video on my youtube channel you can see her.
Would you have any advice for would-be artists or songwriters wanting to follow in your footsteps?
I used to be terrible at singing/music but after crazy amounts of training I now can sing literally anything; playing shows occasionally in arenas around the world and just continuing to make a living as a full-time musician only, for over 4 years. this has always been my dream. and if I can achieve this why, not you? it doesn’t matter if it’s music, skateboarding, painting, etc. believe in your dreams, belief in yourself, put the work in and don’t give up because you can do anything.
If you could be a superhero, what would your superpower be and your superhero name be?
Octavious. My superpower would be sound in all octaves combined with the knowledge of everything’s resonant frequency. there are theories that the pyramids were formed using resonant frequencies.
What would be a good theme song for your life?
Probably my newest release ‘journey’. it’s an anthem for taking things one step at a time and loving where you’re at in the journey that is indeed life itself.
Tell us what your ideal partner might look like if you could order one from ‘Partners R Us’.
I’m a bit too married to music right now to have a partner but I’d love to eventually find a great person who has their own music I enjoy already that would like to make music with me as well as open to living vanlife. #manifesting lol
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
How do we know dragons are not dinosaurs..? 🤔
What do you think the greatest invention has been?
Artificial intelligence in time will be the highest magnitude no doubt, whether it ends up for good or bad is still unclear…
Are you a valuable asset on a Pub Quiz team?
No lol unless the quiz is on skateboarding or music I would bring the team to their demise.
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
Trust the process and you can do anything…
David has an acoustic folk song about enjoying the “journey” of life. The song is driven by acoustic guitars and soft vocals. The song comes across as a jam session vocally and musically. The lyrics can serve as mantra of positivity, a reminder to keep moving forward, remember that life is a journey with ebbs and flows. It’s all about enjoying the little moments and taking in all the elements of our surroundings. The song is based in gratitude and we can definitely hear that in David Kahn’s vocal performance.
He says: “The main message of the song is that life is about the journey. The first verse starts with: ‘I won’t miss the forest for the trees, no the 9-5 is not for me. cuz in this life theres no guarantees, catch me singing my concrete jungle melodies. spreading love through my words is my destiny. and just remember its the journey.’ …this was very much my story at this time. I was playing very often as a street performer (concrete jungle melodies). I graduated with a marketing degree but very quickly realized I just wanted to make music so that is what I have been doing. In life there are no guarantees so I am pursuing my passions. The second verse is: ‘Sure I can say that now but tomorrow I’ll stress, cuz it’s who I am and to that I’ll confess but I love myself and Imma take whats mine, making my way one step at a time.’ So what I mean by this is that I even though this is all true I still stress myself out all the time but I try to remind myself to love myself and take things one step at a time.”
Enjoy the “Journey” now
https://instagram.com/davidkahnsings
