David Raybuck is the prodigal singer-songwriter of spiritual alt-rock for music freaks, and he is on a
mission to help people encounter their Creator through music.
With far too much generic and dark music in the world, David wants to reach the ears of music lovers who are stirred by original songs with undeniable beauty and creativity. He draws from the influences of incredible artists like Radiohead, The Beatles, Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins, Ween, Led Zeppelin, Elliot Smith, Supergrass, Air, Failure and many others to create music that is catchy yet unique. With flavorings of alternative rock, folk, grunge, & Americana that sound nothing like what people would expect from Christian music.
What about your music is rebellious, unconventional, or unusual?
It’s not rebellious unless you consider the teachings of Jesus to be rebellious, which many do. But it is perhaps unconventional in that I write Christian music that doesn’t sound like Christian music. It sounds more like the stuff you’d hear on an alternative rock station. And my songs vary a lot in style from one another…. Everything from grunge to alt-country to folk. I get bored with things that all sound the same, so I try to mix it up a lot.
What is the best advice you have been given?
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. If you love God and love people, you’ll experience peace, joy, and purpose regardless of what trials and suffering you experience, and you’ll be united with God for eternity instead of separated from him.
If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
In regard to the Christian music industry, I would put an end to the current practice of pushing generic and overly feminine music that is targeted to middle age soccer moms. For over two decades, mainstream Christian music has been one of the most cringeworthy genres in existence where nearly every song follows the same basic, unoriginal formula.
In regard to the secular music industry, I would stop the promotion of demonic music that glorifies evil and sin. Anyone who is paying attention can’t deny the exponential increase in the amount of overtly satanic lyrics and imagery that has infiltrated most genres, including songs that are targeting kids.
What is your biggest musical challenge?
I struggle with writing lyrics. The music comes naturally, but the lyrics typically don’t. To me personally, lyrics are secondary in importance to the underlying music, but I know that’s not the case for a large number of people. So I try to come up with lyrics that connect with people… but it’s a challenge.
When you create music, what is your personal purpose or goal?
My goal is always to write songs that help people encounter their Creator, and I want the attention to be on him, not me. God created music to draw people to him, and it has incredible spiritual power to do that. Before I became a Christian, music was the reason that I was never a full-blown atheist, because I couldn’t wrap my head around why something as beautiful as music could exist if there weren’t something bigger going on.
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Suits. Great show.
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
God is real, and the sooner you acknowledge that and submit to him, the better off you’ll be.
What do you think the greatest invention has been?
Well, the guitar, of course!
What makes you nostalgic?
One of my favorite things about music is how a song can take you back to a certain memory, time of life, or location. My wife and I went to Cancun a few months ago, and as I was looking out at the beautiful ocean on the beach, I had Hermanos Gutierrez’ most recent album playing. Now, every time I listen to it, it takes me right back to that beach.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
I would love to have a better memory. I love stories and telling stories, but I forget so many of the important details. It’s amazing to me that some people can recount an entire movie plot from something they watched years ago. When I can literally watch a movie for the second time and sometimes not realize I’ve seen it before until I’m quite a ways in!
David Releases “He Knows Your Name” For People Battling Suicidal Thoughts
“He Knows Your Name” is not just a song; it’s a lifeline, a message of love, and a reminder of the intrinsic worth every individual possesses.
Inspired by the profound words of Psalm 139, which declare that we are wonderfully made and known by God, this song encourages listeners to call on God for salvation and freedom from hopelessness. In a world where far too many people believe they are a worthless and meaningless accident, David offers a compelling counter-narrative found in scripture: that God is the one who created you, and he did not make a mistake by doing so.
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